Entire City Police Department Resigns

Goodhue, Minnesota - August 9, 2023

The Goodhue Police Department, which served the quiet Minnesota city of Goodhue, has been confronted with a pivotal moment as its entire police force handed in their resignations on August 9, 2023, citing concerns over insufficient pay and benefits. The exit of Police Chief Josh Smith and one full-time officer on that fateful day was subsequently followed by the departure of five part-time officers two days later, sparking discussions about the city's law enforcement landscape.

Comprising seven officers, including Chief Josh Smith, the Goodhue Police Department, has found itself in the midst of a dilemma that brings to light fundamental questions about municipal governance and policing in small communities. The city, home to approximately 1,250 residents, grappled with retaining its officers due to compensation rates ranging from $22 to $25 per hour – figures that stand in stark contrast to the neighboring jurisdictions. Nearby Rochester, Minnesota, demonstrates a clear disparity, offering its starting police officers an annual salary of $45,000. Starting pay here in Colorado Springs is $30 an hour.

Critically, the resigning officers pointed to the wider issue of inadequate support from the Goodhue City Council, encompassing benefits and resources essential to effective law enforcement. With an escalating number of service calls and the rising cost of living, the officers believed that their concerns remained unaddressed, culminating in their collective decision to tender their resignations.

This development has set in motion a series of implications with far-reaching consequences. As the Goodhue Police Department disbanded, the city must now navigate alternative avenues for law enforcement coverage. Immediate solutions include reliance on the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office or enlisting the services of a private security company. However, this transition is anticipated to bear a higher financial burden for the city's inhabitants, prompting questions about the most judicious utilization of resources.

The mass resignation of the Goodhue Police Department echoes the overarching crisis within American policing. Across the nation, the scarcity of police officers is attributed to factors such as inadequate compensation, soaring stress levels, and amplified scrutiny of law enforcement practices. This deficit is particularly pronounced in smaller towns and rural areas, underscoring the need for a reconsideration of the approach to local law enforcement.

In the context of these developments, it becomes pertinent to evaluate alternative paradigms. The current structure of incorporated cities necessitating their own police departments might not be the most efficient approach. Rather, advocating for a shift towards unincorporated towns, operating under the jurisdiction of their respective counties, offers potential advantages: This could alleviate financial pressures on these communities while enabling the leverage of economies of scale in the provision of law enforcement services.

This stance contends that law enforcement should recalibrate its focus towards a minimalist role, excluding involvement in victimless “crimes.” The notion of roving-revenuers, whose function includes generating revenue from activities that don't harm others, is deemed unnecessary in a society valuing individual freedoms. Instead, advocates argue for a leaner and more targeted police presence, concentrated on safeguarding citizens' rights and property against genuine threats.

In response to the unanticipated exodus, the Goodhue City Council expressed their surprise and commitment to resolving the issue at hand. Among the potential avenues under consideration are partnerships with the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office or the exploration of private security arrangements.

While the city grapples with the path forward, the depletion of its entire police department constitutes a substantial setback for both Goodhue and its residents. This occurrence, emblematic of the broader challenges experienced by law enforcement agencies in small municipalities, offers a poignant illustration of the overuse, and overreliance on municipal police. This predicament will not fix itself.