MELBOURNE VILLAGE, Fla. — Thursday was the last night on patrol for the entire police force in the town of Melbourne Village in Brevard County.
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Melbourne Village Commissioners voted unanimously at their meeting Thursday night to enter into an agreement with the sheriff’s office to have two dedicated deputies patrol within the town’s jurisdiction, rather than relying on the current police force.
Commissioners were forced into the decision after six officers suddenly resigned Monday, essentially leaving the department with no one to run it.
Melbourne Village Mayor Tabitha Niemann said during Thursday’s meeting that it wasn’t their preferred plan.
“Monday was a rough day to be given all those letters,” Niemann said at the meeting.
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Niemann says there were various different reasons for the resignations. When pressed about claims that they were the result of a toxic work environment created by her and the department, Niemann said that was not the case.
Vern Goding, who has volunteered with the department for 22 years, says he’s hurt by the move.
When asked how he felt about the sheriff’s office taking over, Goding said he’s “not going to be having any part of it.”
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Niemann says the sheriff will be at the police station Friday going through evidence and equipment before any other decisions will be made.
One Melbourne Village police officer said she’d be the only one on duty Thursday but there will be no one from the police department there Friday.
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