Alexandria, Tenn., police drop Mayor Beth Tripp

A small town in Tennessee has lost its entire police force in protest of a new mayor who was elected just weeks ago.

Alexandria Police Chief Travis Bryant said he resigned last week because new Mayor Beth Tripp was “micromanaging” his department despite not having adequate police experience — with his two other officers soon to follow management, according to WTVF News

“To get up and leave like I did, it bothers me,” the chief told the press. “But it’s what I felt was in my best interest and I had to do it.”

The new mayor was only elected this month after being the only candidate on the ballot.

Even before losing her city’s police force, Tripp faced other serious problems, such as water quality issues that left locals with expensive bills for cloudy, brown water, WTVF noted.

The Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department, 25 minutes from Alexandria, is now tasked with responding to the city’s calls, according to the publication.

Alexandria’s small police budget allows for just three police officers for a 2022 population of about 995, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Bryant resigned on Aug. 16 along with another officer, and the last officer standing resigned last weekend.

Tripp denied accusations of “micromanaging” the department, adding that she had to address numerous concerns after previously elected officials left the city in a mismanaged mess and simply ordered officers to take over a problem of speed on a local road.

“You’re going to get that in politics — it’s nothing new. But I didn’t realize it would be this bad. To keep attacking me for no reason when I’m just trying to do my job?” Tripp complained to WTVF.

According to the report, Tripp is interviewing candidates for the new police chief as the city continues to address its concerns about police assurance and water quality at city halls.