Mystery as city fires police chief and suspends entire force apart from one cop

Police in a Georgia city have been left stunned after all but one were asked to turn in their guns and badges with immediate effect and little explanation.

Officers in Warm Springs were informed they were being suspended last month, while their chief Emilio Quintana has been fired.

A Facebook post announcing the decision only fueled the mystery and raised more questions.

'The decision to terminate Chief Quintana and suspend the police force was made after careful consideration of recent events and emerging concerns regarding the conduct and operations within the department,' the post read.

The force is now under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, but officials have remained tight-lipped about what its focus is.

However, the disciplinary action follows an anonymous tip off about police, including former chief Quintana, using their patrol vehicles for off-duty jobs, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.

The sender, who signed off as 'concerned citizen', also claimed that many Warm Springs officers were only taking the job in order to pick up more lucrative off-duty work.

'Most officers working for Warm Springs are there because and were hired just so they are able to do police off-duty jobs,' the email said. 'This is an everyday thing that is allowed to occur directed by the chief.' 

Warm Springs has a population of 450 - which works out at roughly one police officer for every 33 residents compared to the state average of 164 officers per capita.

Many police are part time or only pick up a couple of shifts here and there, which allows them to maintain arresting powers.

Prior to the controversy, Warm Springs was best known as being the home of President Roosevelt ahead of his inauguration, with the former leader building later dubbed the 'Little White House'. 

Crime is also lower in the city than the Georgia average and below rates seen across the country, according to data from USA.com which ranked 87th out of 336 of the state's cities.

In a letter to Quintana, Mayor Robyn Pynenburg laid out the allegations against him and within a week Quintana had been fired.

His staff were placed on leave, although it was stated that this was not a disciplinary measure. 

The only employee of the 13 serving the city who currently remains in post is Aisha Al-Khalifa. She was hired as a sergeant in November and is now interim chief. 

However, the Meriwether County Sheriff's Office has suggested the suspensions have not had much impact on its daily operations, stating that officers in Warm Springs rarely seemed to be working when calls came in. 

In another strange twist, the anonymous email was sent just two days after a former Warm Springs officer filed a lawsuit against Quintana and the city of Warm Springs claiming wrongful termination.

Sean Thompson claimed that he was fired after trying to voice concerns about problems he was having with another member of staff.

Thompson alleged discrimination, retaliation and a hostile work environment in the lawsuit.

He told 11 Alive he was fired May 20 for alleged insubordination after he spoke up.

'You know, I feel like I was totally ignored,' Thompson said, adding that his lawsuit was filed June 10.

'I want my name to be cleared. I want my background to be cleared,' he explained.

'I didn't think it was going to get this far, but like I said, some stuff, uncovered some other things uncovered, I guess it was just meant to be.'

The force is being investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at its own request. The GBI case will look at any allegations of criminality.

Quintana is also being probed by Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, although the body admits it is not sure exactly what it is being asked to examine.

'Right now, we're still not crystal clear on a lot of this,' executive director Mike Ayers said. 

Locals have been left equally baffled and have taken to social media to share their concerns.

'What in the world is going on in Warm Springs?' One woman wrote. 'I just saw on the Atlanta news that the whole police force AND Chief was fired and or suspended. Wow, must be something bad.'

'Who knows what's going on?' Another person added. 'They fired the whole police force, the damn police in trouble, what the hell? That's crazy.'

'This is wild,' one person agreed.

'Our primary commitment is to the safety and well-being of our community,' Mayor Pynenburg said.

'We take these matters very seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation to address any issues within our police department. We ask for the community's patience and support as we work towards transparency and justice.

'The City is committed to conducting a fair and thorough investigation and will keep the public informed of any significant developments.' 

Mystery as city fires police chief and suspends entire force apart from one cop