Milner’s five-member full-time police department and city manager are resigning after Police Chief Lamar Bunn accused Mayor Craig Timmons of secretly tracking his vehicle and employees cited a breakdown in trust with city leadership.
City Manager Tausha Grose announced the departures during an Oct. 19 City Council meeting, saying most reserve officers had resigned. The department’s last day is scheduled for Oct. 28, while Grose plans to leave Oct. 30.
Bunn alleged a tracking device was placed on his truck without authorization or the knowledge of Grose and the council. He accused City Hall of monitoring him through security cameras and denied rumors of an affair with Grose.
In resignation letters obtained through an open-records request, Bunn cited “fundamental differences” involving governance, legal compliance and ethical standards. Police Capt. Craig Walton called for an independent investigation into Timmons’ conduct and potential violations of city employees’ rights.
Timmons declined to answer directly when the local Herald Gazette asked whether he placed the tracker. He said he did not expect the resignations and could not publicly discuss everything involved. During the meeting, he expressed hope officials could still resolve the conflict.
City leaders and police had clashed over overtime and off-duty work. Bunn and Grose said those policy disputes did not cause their departures.
Milner has fewer than 1,000 residents and sits in Lamar County, about 45 miles south of Atlanta. The Lamar County Sheriff’s Office is expected to provide law enforcement coverage if the resignations take effect.
Published reports have not established who placed the tracker or whether any law was broken. The departures leave Milner facing immediate questions about police coverage, city administration and whether an outside investigation will occur.
