PAOLI, Okla. -- The Oklahoma town of Paoli has no police force after its city council voted to fire the police chief, the town's only police officer.
Mark Fuzzell, the former police chief, was fired after he stood before the city council and accused several city leaders of nepotism, embezzlement, and violating open meetings laws. He says he was fired for investigating those possible violations.
"I gave my report in full to the town, and was tried to block from giving my report," Fuzzell said. "I was told that I was given leave and termination for insubordination."
As a result, the laws were to be enforced by the Garvin County Sheriff's Office, which is about eight miles away. That left some people who live in the town uncomfortable.
"I feel like I can not rest at night, cause I wander about what's going on with my mother, cause she is disabled," said Janice Beasley, who lives in Paoli. "so as long as her being able to protect herself, she can't."
The officer said he planned to appeal the decision. City officials did not want to comment.
