The city’s Board of Aldermen voted to place the department on “inactive” status, with the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office taking over patrols beginning Aug. 20.
MEXICO CITY, Maine — Mexico City announced on Tuesday The police department will close at 6 a.m. on Aug. 20 due to staff shortages.
The Mexican Board of Aldermen voted to place the department on “inactive” status, and the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office will take over patrols.
“It was a tough decision and I didn’t like it, but at the end of the day this is where we are,” said Mexico’s police chief, Roy Hodsdon.
Hodsdon said the department currently has four employees, but will soon be the last one. Two officers notified Hodsdon last week that they were resigning and another is already in the process of applying for a job elsewhere, according to the chief.
The department has been short-staffed for more than a year as Hodsdon said he is trying to fill two vacant positions. With three officers gone, he said the department is short-staffed and closing is the only practical decision.
“I want to protect and serve my community, but if I don’t have those means, it’s not fair to not provide them with the service they deserve,” Hodsdon said. “There’s just no one younger who stands out and wants to do our profession. It’s sad. It’s very sad. It’s scary to know that there have always been applicants and there are none available or very few available.”
The city expects this to be a temporary closure until the department can hire new employees. Hodsdon said six officers serve a full staff and the department would need a minimum of four officers to reestablish it.
“It’s different when you’re ready to walk away and say, ‘I’m going somewhere else,’ but when it’s something you’re forced into, I think it’s hard to accept. I’m not ready to give up,” Hodsdon said.
Mexico City plans to hold an informational meeting on August 13 at 6 p.m. to discuss these changes.
Due to unforeseen staffing issues, the Board of Aldermen regretfully voted to place the Mexican Police…
published by Mexico City, Maine about Tuesday, August 6, 2024
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