Fla. city disbands police department, opts for cheaper county law enforcement contract

The decision by the Starke City Commission will leave 11 officers without a job starting on March 1

January 18, 2024 01:07 PM

Fla. town disbands police department, opts for cheaper county law enforcement option — All employees were offered the opportunity to apply at the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office, which will be providing law enforcement services to Starke after the department disbands, according to the report.

By Joanna Putman
Police1

STARKE, Fla. — The city of Starke has voted to disband its police department in favor of contracting county law enforcement, WCJB reported.

The City Commission voted 4-1 on the issue on Jan. 16, according to the report. The decision will displace the department’s 11 officers and one civilian employee starting March 1.

The police chief position can only be eliminated if voters pass a ballot referendum, meaning that Starke Police Chief Jeff Johnson, who opposed the decision, will remain chief of a nonexistent department.

All employees were offered the opportunity to apply at the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office, which will be providing law enforcement services to Starke after the department disbands, according to the report.

The contract with the sheriff’s office will cost the city about $625,000 per year, according to the report. The police department’s annual budget was more than $1 million.