WJXT-4 TV News, Jacksonville, Fla.
BALDWIN, Fla. -- After a narrow election victory and surviving a legal challenge, Baldwin’s new police chief took the oath of office Tuesday evening, just as almost half his department walked out.
Guy Turcotte Sworn In, Answers CriticsGuy Turcotte beat incumbent Harvey Branch by just seven votes last month. Branch tried unsuccessfully to get the courts to step in and prevent Turcotte from taking over, claiming he wasn’t qualified for the position.
Turcotte denies that he’s short of the minimum qualifications for the job, but his challenges aren’t over. As he took office, five of Baldwin’s 10 police officers and two reserve officers resigned, according to Channel 4 news.
“I don’t think people will be served in manner they were,” former Officer Dallas Newman told WJXT’s Corey Saban. “I don’t think Mr. Turcotte has what it takes to be chief of police.”
Turcotte was disappointed about the resignations but said he won’t be deterred from his mission.
“If those officers did resign and leave, they’re not leaving me, they’re leaving the people they swore to protect,” Turcotte said. “I want to focus on what I need to do to make this city safer.”
The new chief is reviewing his budget to see how many officers they can hire and how much they can pay.
Turcotte also said the department’s only K-9 was sold a few days ago for $1, some police equipment unaccounted for, and some of the offices in the department were left in “an unprofessional manor.”
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has offered whatever assistance is needed until Baldwin can provide adequate police protection on its own.