Entire police force, including Chief, resigns in Colorado town
BACA COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Friday, the Baca County Sheriff's Office confirmed the resignation of every Springfield Police Department Officer, including the chief.
According to a press release on the Baca County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, the town and county were made aware of the resignation on July 12, 2022. One resignation was effective on July 13, 2022, and the other two became effective on the morning of July 16, 2022.
As a result of the resignations, Sheriff Shiplett, the Baca County Commissioners, and the Town Trustees have begun assessing the situation and are preparing the "best solutions" moving forward.
Through an agreement with the Baca County Commissioners and Sheriff Shiplett on July 14, 2022, the Baca County Sheriff's Office will temporarily provide law enforcement services to the Town of Springfield.
Below is an exert from the press release directed toward potential criminals who might want to take advantage of the current situation:
We also want to make this message very clear to anyone thinking this is an opportune time to commit crimes or victimize anyone in Baca County. You are free to test that assumption at your convenience, however we will warn you, the community is fed up with it, law enforcement will be here in force, they will exhaust every resource at their disposal in finding you, the lights are always on at the Baca County Jail and we still have a few bunks available.
Baca County Sheriff's Office.
13 Investigates is working on gathering more information and the reason behind the resignation en masse.
Earlier this year, the Baca County Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation into the Springfield PD. Sheriff Aaron Shiplett wouldn't say what the investigation was about, but he told 13 Investigates it had nothing to do with the recent resignations.
Following the announcement, Springfield Mayor Tyler Gibson provided 13 Investigates a statement on the situation.
In the statement, Gibson said:
There were no allegations by the Chief of any of the officers brought before the Springfield Board of Trustees. The two officers each resigned to take other positions elsewhere. The Chief resigned citing "personal reasons." The timing of the resignations is unfortunate but does not appear to have been motivated by any improper acts by the officers.
Mayor Tyler Gibson
Town of Springfield
To read the full statement from Gibson, click here.
You can read the entire press release from the Baca County Sheriff's Office below:
