CUNEY, Texas (KYTX) – The City of Cuney is without a police department after its chief, sergeant and two reserve officers resigned within the last week.
Michael Trawick, the former police chief in the small Cherokee County town says new leadership drove him to resign. He says working for the city has become increasingly difficult since May 10 – the day Mayor Grace Beal took office.
"I think the biggest issue is the mental status of our mayor," Trawick said. "I just feel for my safety and my family at this point it might be best for me to try to get away from her."
CBS19 spoke with Mayor Beal following the latest resignations May 31. She said she is fit to serve as mayor, despite what critics claim.
"I meet all of the qualifications that the state requires," Beal said. "Not only that – I have the highest military clearance a unit can give a civilian.
Beal said she would like Trawick to remain in his position as chief. According to Trawick, Beal also offered the chief job on May 31 to Leonard Tenner Jr., who served as a sergeant for Cuney Police Department until resigning May 31 to pursue "another opportunity that came up."
"There was beginning to be some restrictions put on the police department where I didn't feel like we could serve and protect the community as I thought we should," Tenner said. He declined to provide further explanation.
Beal said the resignation of Trawick and Tenner and the two volunteer reserve officers came suddenly.
"I thought it was unfair to the city and to the residents here," Beal said. "Because this is a high crime area and I do not like that. At least two weeks' notice should have been given."
With the police department out of operation, Cherokee County sheriff's deputies will patrol and respond to calls in Cuney. Sheriff James Campbell said that will add strain to his office, and Cuney residents are also concerned about the possibility of slower response times.
"There's no telling how long it'll take someone to get here," said Dianne Reed, a former Cuney city alderman. "That's very sad that a mayor can come in and a whole department can disappear."
In addition to the police department resignations, city secretary Gladys Williams said she will take a medical leave of absence due to added stress from Mayor Beal.
"I love this city. I love my job. I love taking care of the city department," Williams said. "And you'll find very few issues as far as my job is concerned, but I'm constantly harassed by [Beal]."
While Williams said she hopes to return from medical leave, she said she will not unless changes are made at city hall.
A group of citizens, including Reed, have started a petition to have Beal removed from office.