A small city in Georgia is facing a police staffing crisis after its entire full-time police force resigned, with Mayor Craig Timmons confirming that he placed a GPS tracking device on the police chief’s vehicle amid concerns over the officer’s working hours.In an interview with WSB-TV’s Channel 2 Action News, Timmons admitted that he had installed a tracking device on the truck driven by Milner Police Chief Lamar Bunn. He also confirmed placing a surveillance camera near a car wash, pointing towards City Hall, where the police chief’s office is located.The mayor said his concerns were related to Bunn’s timesheets, which required his signature. Timmons said he wanted to establish whether the chief was accurately accounting for his working hours.The admission comes after the chief, all five full-time police officers and most reserve personnel resigned, with their departures taking effect on October 28, 2026. The mass resignation has raised questions about the leadership of the department and how the city will maintain law enforcement services.
Why did the Georgia mayor track the police chief’s vehicle?
Police Chief Lamar Bunn denied wrongdoing amid the controversy over the tracking device and his working hours. (Photo: Channel 2 Action News)
Speaking to Channel 2 Action News, Timmons was directly asked whether he had placed a tracking device on the police vehicle used by Bunn.“Yes, sir. I did,” the mayor confirmed.He was also asked about a video camera installed near a car wash and pointed towards the building where the police chief’s office is located. Timmons acknowledged that as well, saying it had been done with the property owner’s approval.Explaining his decision, the mayor said his signature was required on the police chief’s timesheets and that he had concerns about the hours being recorded. He also indicated that he had prepared a report containing allegations concerning Bunn’s timekeeping and use of city vehicles, which he intended to present at a special city council meeting.Timmons maintained that his responsibilities as mayor included overseeing the functioning of the city’s administration.
Police chief Lamar Bunn denies wrongdoing
Bunn, however, has denied any wrongdoing. Speaking to the news channel by phone, he explained that his responsibilities as police chief were not restricted to working inside the police station or within the city’s limits.He said he regularly handled administrative duties remotely, including responding to emails and monitoring police radio communications. He also maintained that his work continued beyond regular office hours.“My job doesn’t stop when I leave the office,” Bunn said, explaining that he had even continued working while on vacation in Panama City.Assistant Chief Chris Landers also defended the department’s working arrangements, saying it was common for officers to work outside the city and receive calls after regular working hours.Bunn’s position was that his work responsibilities extended beyond a fixed workplace and schedule.
Entire full-time police department resigns
The entire full-time police force in Milner, Georgia, resigned, triggering a law enforcement crisis in the small city. (Photo: Channel 2 Action News)
The controversy has unfolded against the backdrop of an unprecedented staffing crisis for Milner. The chief and all five full-time officers submitted their resignations, with the departures taking effect on October 28. Most reserve personnel also reportedly left the department.A resignation letter obtained by WSB-TV cited concerns about the “judgment and decision-making” of the mayor and certain city council members regarding the police department.The tracking device was among the issues that reportedly contributed to the officers’ concerns. An officer who spoke to the news channel also pointed to restrictions on opportunities to take up off-duty jobs as a possible factor.Timmons, however, said there had been a miscommunication over the issue and maintained that neither he nor the city council had issued an order restricting officers from taking such work.Bunn also said he had not asked the officers to resign.
Sheriff’s office to provide police coverage
With Milner’s full-time police department no longer operational, Lamar County Sheriff Brad White said his deputies would continue responding to calls in the city, as they had previously done.He indicated that if the absence of a local police department continued for an extended period, Milner would need to enter into a formal arrangement with the sheriff’s office for police services.Timmons said he remained confident that the city would be able to rebuild its police department. He also claimed that he had already started receiving unsolicited applications from people interested in police positions, as well as the city manager’s role.City Manager Tausha Grose also resigned shortly after the police department’s mass departure, according to local reports.
Mayor says he wants to do what is right
During the interview, Timmons defended his actions and spoke about his personal journey, including his recovery from drug addiction and his religious faith.“Right is right and wrong is wrong,” he said, adding that he had turned his life over to Jesus 15 years ago and had made a promise to do right by the people he encountered.The situation has left the small Georgia city dealing with more than a dispute over a police chief’s timesheets. With its full-time officers gone, Milner now faces the challenge of restoring its police department while addressing the concerns about leadership and trust that surfaced in the resignation letters.
