Being a police officer is undoubtedly one of the most cruciaI roles in our society. Alongside healthcare workers, they prioritize the public’s safety, often putting themselves in harm’s way to serve others.
The city of Goodhue, located in southern Minnesota, recently experienced a significant setback. The entire Goodhue Police Department resigned due to pay-related issues, with officers earning just $22 per hour, according to NBC News.
Mayor Ellen Anderson Buck confirmed this development during a City Council meeting held on Monday, August 14. Initially convened to discuss potential salary increases for the department, the meeting took a surprising turn when all members of the police force resigned before it began.
This resignation cascade began with Police Chief Josh Smith, who tendered his resignation at a previous Council meeting on August 9. Following his departure, a full-time officer and five part-time employees also stepped down from their positions.
The city, home to just over 1,000 residents, now faces the unsettling prospect of lacking a police force to respond to community needs.
Mayor Anderson Buck stated during the meeting that given the department’s resignations, the city must explore alternative options. She emphasized that discussing pay increases was moot without a functioning police force.
Prior to his resignation, Chief Smith highlighted the department’s struggle to attract applicants, citing the $22 hourly wage as a significant deterrent. He noted that other law enforcement agencies were actively recruiting him and his colleagues, offering substantially higher wages of at least $30 per hour.
Smith emphasized the urgent need to address the pay disparity, underscoring the lack of incentive for officers to work in a small town with low pay and demanding on-call responsibilities.