BABBITT—Troy Bissonette, the current police chief here, is a finalist for an officer position in nearby Ely, with rumors swirling that multiple other officers may follow him out the door. The situation has left city officials scrambling to develop contingency plans.
In an unusual move, the council voted last Friday during an emergency meeting to immediately post openings for both the chief and patrol officer positions, even though no officers have submitted letters of resignation.
“This has not been an easy decision to make, however it feels like the right one,” Bissonette said. “It has been the highest honor to serve Babbitt as its chief of police these past couple of years, and I will forever be thankful for the love and the trust shown to me by residents as we have endeavored to build an exceptional team of officers and to keep our community safe. I am greatly looking forward, however, to the prospect of refocusing my efforts in Ely and back on the parts of this job that continue to excite me - working the street, where the people are, for the city that gave me the start of my career.”
The brewing crisis comes just two weeks after a contentious budget meeting where the city council stepped back from proposed cuts to the police department after the move sparked emotional public testimony and fierce debate among council members about public safety priorities. The department’s budget was restored for this year but some questioned what would happen next year.
Responding to a post asking for more information about officers wanting to leave, Tonja Ruelle, wife of Officer Phillip Ruelle, wrote on social media, “Specifically speaking for my family. The unknown and not having a guarantee of a job isn’t a gamble we are willing to take.”
During last Friday’s emergency meeting, called at 3 p.m., members of the public weren’t given the opportunity to speak. The council discussed immediate contingency plans to maintain public safety coverage. According to meeting attendees, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department has agreed to help fill shifts, and neighboring Gilbert and East Range police departments have also offered assistance.
City officials noted that Babbitt has a very low crime rate, with police primarily responding to EMS calls. The council is reportedly considering alternative staffing models, including potentially creating a salaried EMS position.