(MEMPHIS) — A small southeastern Michigan community has decided to temporarily shut down its police department. The Memphis Police Department’s one full-time and several other part-time officers are on leave following a vote Thursday by Memphis City Council. Mayor Eric Schneider says Macomb and St. Clair counties will take over law enforcement in the community until a new chief is hired. Department employees were asked to turn in department-issued equipment, including badges, ID, keys, weapons and radios. Kevin Sommers, the chief for the small city bordering St. Clair and Macomb counties, died January 1 of complications from a surgery. He had been hired to deal with long-standing issues at the department, including missing firearms, police radios and evidence.
