The Croydon, New Hampshire voted Tuesday night to dissolve the town’s one-man police department, leaving Police Chief Richard Lee in an interesting predicament, reports The Union Leader.
According to the report, Lee was ordered to hand over his weapon, cruiser keys, and uniform immediately following the decision. Lee, who says he had no spare clothes, thus began to walk home during Tuesday night’s snowstorm in his hat, boots, and underwear. “I did as ordered,” stated Lee. He made it almost a mile before being picked up by his wife.
The one request Lee did not follow was orders to turn over evidence and police records, as he is also the town’s lone prosecutor and it is unclear whether criminal investigations will continue after his firing.
In May 2019, the citizens of Croydon voted to dissolve the department 121 to 51, in part because the position costs the town $40,000 a year. Lee, who has been with the town for around 20 years, says he is discussing the situation with an attorney.
No town selectmen responded to the Union Leader’s request for comment.
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