And then there was one..........

I work in a small town in South Carolina (third most violent small town in America in 2019)(I think they're underachieving) and recently many of the surrounding agencies brought the pay rate up to average for the state. Some a bit higher. This town didn't budge, even though the council said the town could afford it.(Heck, we've been coming in under budget in a big way for two years now, though some of that money is unaccounted for now) Then they began cancelling training oportunities. In a matter of a month and a half the entire department, including the Chief, quit. I stayed behind to shut the lights off and lock the door behind me.(I'm looking for a place that I no longer have to work road patrol. 22 years is enough) They hired a new Chief with promises to fix things but they lied to him. He has a positive attitude and is a leader but I've already let him know I'm looking for other opportunities and he should too. It would take at least two years to rebuild this department on the pay rate we have, if at all. The council has learned it can save up a bunch of money by just eliminating the police department. Wonder what the consequences to that decision will be?