Mass Resignation Leaves Small Town Minnesota Streets Unpatrolled

The entire police department of Goodhue, Minnesota, including the police chief and seven officers, resigned due to non-competitive salaries, leaving the streets unpatrolled. The Goodhue City Council entered a contract with the county sheriff's office to provide law enforcement until the end of the year. The resignations came as a surprise, as officers had received a pay increase earlier this year. The police chief stated that the city was offering lower wages compared to the sheriff's office, which was hiring patrol deputies at higher rates. This incident reflects a national cop shortage triggered by the murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests, leading to increased scrutiny of law enforcement roles.