The entire full-time police force in Milner, Georgia, has resigned, along with most of the city’s reserve officers, leaving the small community to rely on the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement after the department closes Oct. 28.

City Manager Tausha Grose announced the departures during Monday’s City Council meeting, saying she had also submitted her resignation and would remain in the position through Oct. 30. Grose became emotional while addressing the situation.

Milner, located about 45 miles south of Atlanta near Griffin, has fewer than 1,000 residents. Its police department consisted of six people, including Chief Lamar Bunn, and four reserve officers.

Bunn said he was leaving partly because of a lack of trust in the mayor and City Council. He also raised concerns about an alleged tracking device placed on his personal truck by Mayor Craig Timmons. Timmons declined to comment when asked about the allegation during the meeting.

Bunn said he had consulted an outside agency about whether placing a tracker on his vehicle would violate the law or his rights. He also stressed that he had not urged the other officers to resign, saying their decisions were their own.

Several officers cited concerns about city leadership in resignation letters obtained through public records requests. One letter criticized the mayor and certain council members’ judgment and decision-making concerning the police department, while another said the treatment of city employees had created an environment inconsistent with accountability, integrity and respect.

Restrictions on officers’ ability to work overtime or take off-duty jobs were also cited as concerns.

The Lamar County Sheriff’s Office is expected to provide law enforcement coverage after the department’s departure. However, longtime resident and former City Council member Skip Seda warned that the resignations could trigger a broader crisis for the city.

Seda said he feared Milner could eventually dissolve as a municipality. He plans to push for the city to become unincorporated, arguing that residents already pay taxes and that the police department is a key distinction between Milner and the surrounding county.

The resignations leave city officials facing questions about the future of local policing, municipal leadership, and the city’s ability to continue operating.