Alexandria, Tennessee police force quits over Mayor Beth Tripp

A small Tennessee town has lost its entire police force in protest at 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 proper policing experience — with his other two officers soon following his lead, according to WTVF News

“To just up and leave like I did, it bothers me,” the chief told the outlet. “But it is just what I felt was in the best interest for myself, and I had to do that,” he said.

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

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

The Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department, located 25 minutes away from Alexandria, is now tasked with responding to the town’s calls, according to the outlet.

Alexandria’s small police budget only affords three standing police officers for a population of roughly 995 as of 2022, according to US Census Bureau data.

Bryant resigned on August 16 along with another officer, and the last officer standing resigned this past weekend.

Tripp denied allegations of “micromanaging” the department, adding that she has had to address numerous concerns after previously elected officials left the town a mismanaged mess and simply directed officers to take control of a speeding issue on a local road.

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

Tripp is interviewing candidates for the new police chief as the town continues to address its concerns over policing and water quality in town halls, according to the report.