Advertisement

Citing cost and corruption, Waldo, Florida votes to disband local police force

"If I took down two bad ones, it was worth it," says former Waldo police officer.

By Matt Bradwell

WALDO, Fla., Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Waldo, Fla., a small town with a population just over 1,000, has voted to disband its police department, as the town could not afford to modernize the department and whistle-blowing officers exposed systematic corruption.

Citing increasing expenses and ongoing controversy, the Waldo City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to permanently eliminate the department.

Advertisement

A Florida Department of Law Enforcement audit determined the small force needed countless computer upgrades and facilities fixes, issues Waldo's coffers cannot afford to address.

Additionally, five Waldo officers filed complaints about the department, saying evidence was consistently improperly stored and officers were forced to meet ticket quotas, an illegal practice in the state of Florida.

"It's what was right ... If I took down two bad ones, it was worth it," Waldo Police officer Brandon Roberts told The Gainesville Sun.

"A lot of people complain about cops not stepping across the blue line, and this is a prime example, because you have to worry about this kind of stuff."

Latest Headlines