Gold Hill, Oregon dismisses entire police department

[Terminator]

GOLD HILL, Ore. (AP) -- The contention over Gold Hill's police department is about to end. So is the department.

As of midnight Saturday, Chief Dean Muchow and Sgt. Hank Hobart are out of jobs, and the unpaid reserve officers are dismissed.

"My career statement may have just gone from, 'You're under arrest,' to 'Do you want fries with that?' " Muchow said with a laugh.

The town's insurer threatened to drop liability coverage unless the department was shut down, so the City Council voted May 30 to disband it.

When Muchow was sworn in 30 months ago, he was the city's fourth chief in four years. But departmental problems predate that.

In 1997 then-Police Chief Katie Holmboe was reprimanded by the City Council for selling Mary Kay products while on duty and for using prayer to try to drive evil spirits from a man she thought was possessed.

Muchow was placed on paid administrative leave in late 2006 while allegations of fraud, harassment and other claims were investigated.

"I knew the history of Gold Hill coming into it," said Muchow. "I don't think I've ever been lied to or lied about so much in my whole life. But as a cop, that doesn't come as a surprise."

Muchow's critics said the department wasn't responsive and was mismanaged.

"I don't want to kick the guy when he's down," said Councilman Gus Wolf. "I think he gave it his best shot, but I think the financial mismanagement was the worst thing for me."

"The community will be better served contracting with the sheriff's," said Councilwoman Jan Fish. "Small towns are notorious for having political differences, and small-town police departments reflect the division within the cities."

For his part, Muchow wrote a parable for a local publication calling the council's decision the council's "kill shot." He likened police detractors to "terrorists" and took swipes at the council for pressing the insurance company's "panic button."

Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters said he has talked to Gold Hill representatives about a contract and is researching coverage options. Without a contract, the department will respond only to emergencies within the city, he said.

The town north of Medford has a population listed at about 1,200. Its name comes from a hill where gold was discovered in the mid 1800s, although Lewis A. McArthur's "Oregon Geographical Names" says there is some dispute as to which of two hills was Gold Hill.

[Cross240]

In 1997 then-Police Chief Katie Holmboe was reprimanded by the City Council for selling Mary Kay products while on duty and for using prayer to try to drive evil spirits from a man she thought was possessed

[Ducky]

I'm really, really glad I wasn't the only one that had that reaction.

[BEB]

In 1997 then-Police Chief Katie Holmboe was reprimanded by the City Council for selling Mary Kay products while on duty and for using prayer to try to drive evil spirits from a man she thought was possessed

But did it work?

And what pranksters on the city council decided the city limits should be setup to look like tophat wearing penguin?

[Bob Loblaw]

I don't see any penguin there, BEB...little help here?

[KaiGywer]

Yeah, I don't see many penguins either

[BEB]

That's what it looked like to me..

[Autumn2009]

I saw the penguin.

[KaiGywer]

That's what it looked like to me..

Haha, I have no idea how you saw that, but suuuure