Small Michigan Community Temporarily Shuts Police Department

MEMPHIS, Mich. (AP) - A small southeastern Michigan community has decided to temporarily shut down its police department.

The Times Herald of Port Huron and The Macomb Daily of Mount Clemens report the Memphis Police Department's one full-time and several other part-time officers are on leave following a vote Thursday by Memphis City Council.

Mayor Eric Schneider says Macomb and St. Clair counties will take over law enforcement in the community until a new chief is hired. Department employees were asked to turn in department-issued equipment, including badges, ID, keys, weapons and radios.

Kevin Sommers, the chief for the small city bordering St. Clair and Macomb counties, died Jan. 1 of complications from a surgery. He had been hired to deal with long-standing issues at the department, including missing firearms, police radios and evidence.

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