Georgiana Police Department chief David Scruggs resigned from his position Monday following “administrative differences,” according to Georgiana mayor Jerome Antone.

“Four other officers walked out with the chief,” Antone said. “No one was terminated; they all walked out. I hate that other officers walked out with the chief.

“The Georgiana Police Department will weather the storm, and thanks to the one remaining officer at the Georgiana Police Department and the immediate assistance of the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, we will move forward.”

Butler County Sheriff Kenny Hardin said that he and the Butler County Sheriff’s Office are working to assist the town in the absence of its officers.

“I got a call from the mayor this morning at about 10 a.m., stating that he didn’t have any police officers,” Hardin said. “I went down there and met with him, and I have deputies down there patrolling the streets of Georgiana and answering the calls. We have it worked out to where troopers are going to work any accidents that occur within the city limits until they can get things resolved.

“I will assure the citizens of Georgiana that they will not go unprotected,” he said “We will make sure that they get the help that they need.

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office is sending two deputies to fill the void in the meantime.

Harden added that though diverting resources in inconvenient, it is a necessary measure.

“It kind of takes away from us, but we are going to make sure that the protection is there. Also any calls we get in the county, we’ll be handling them, too.”

From: The Greenville Advocate