By Joanna Putman
Police1
SURFSIDE BEACH, Texas — The Surfside Beach Police Department was reduced to one active officer this week after the rest of its force resigned, including the police chief, KHOU reported.
Charging documents said the troopers thought they were dealing with a man wanted for failing to serve a 10-day sentence; they mistakenly arrested his cousin instead
“While we’ve been told that the road to recovery will be long and challenging, we remain hopeful,” a post on a GoFundMe page created to support Ferguson Officer Travis Brown said
“Walking this little boy to school, holding his hand, the smile on his face, I hope he always knows we are family,” Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said
The deputy saw a man and woman acting oddly and tried to speak with them; the pair ran behind a building before jumping out to attack him
On Aug. 12, the police chief and three officers resigned, followed by four more officers on Aug. 14, leaving only one active officer. That officer, Kelly Marsh, was promoted to interim police chief, according to the report.
In response, the city’s mayor announced that interviews for new officers would begin on Thursday. In the meantime, the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety and reserve officers will provide protection for the community, according to the report.
The department originally had 10 officers, nine of whom were active. Detective Robert Bosco, the only inactive officer, is on medical leave and plans to resign this week as well.
The resignations are reportedly linked to tensions between the Surfside Beach City Council and the police department. Officers cited backlash and harassment directed at the former police chief and the department after some residents, connected to council members, filed complaints when laws were enforced, according to the report.
