JACKSBORO, Tenn. — Campbell County officials said Jacksboro's police chief and several city officers suddenly walked off the job on Monday, leaving the city with just one officer.
"I do not. I really do not know [what happened]," acting chief Daniel Smith said. "I was asked to fill the position, so that's what I'm doing."
Smith is a veteran of the LaFollette Police Department and joined the Jacksboro force on Monday. He told 10News on Tuesday his top priority is hiring more people.
"I want to get officers and make sure everybody's covered at this point, and then later on we'll look to see where the department goes from there," Smith said. "Everything's under control and, as far as I'm concerned, is good to go."
Officials said Jacksboro Police Department Chief Jeremy Goins and two other officers turned in their guns and badges. According to City Attorney Stephen Hurst, there were only four officers that work with the department.
With the addition of Smith, there are now two officers remaining.
"They were not fired. There's some argument out there... they were not discharged. There's a process to do that. And they did not formally resign; they walked off the job, which is troublesome, but they walked off the job," Hurst said. "If they have grievances, I'm sure they will air those grievances in the proper place, the proper forum or whatever. But at this point in time, if they have them, they are not known to me. And if they will air those grievances in the proper form, we'll deal with that. But at this point in time, they just quit."
Hurst said he's asked the Campbell County Sheriff's Office and LaFollette Police Department to help out with calls in the city and to fill in the missing roles in the meantime. He said the Tennessee Highway Patrol is also helping out to respond to traffic incidents.
The city said it is actively recruiting new officers, saying its biggest concern at the moment is covering night patrols.
"They will hold the fort and we get some more folks with the help of joining agencies," Hurst said.
Editor's Note: This story is developing and will be updated. The city attorney said he sent out incorrect numbers in an earlier release.