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Bunker Hill town board tries to rebuild after entire police force quits

BUNKER HILL, Ind. (WLFI) – Some Bunker Hill residents believe the town board is putting them at risk because of their own negative views of its former police force. This comes after the town’s marshal and reserve officers resigned over concerns about the board members and their behavior.

“I think it was a campaign to smear and bring down the town,” said town board member Louis Nino. “And I am not going to stand out on that.”

It’s been one week since the entire police force of Bunker Hill resigned and left the town of 900 without any local law enforcement.

“In this case here, if they’re really concerned for the community – why duck and run?” said Nino.

Former Town Marshal Michael Thomison said this comes after the board was involved with what he calls unethical activity. He said board members asked police to provide classified information, like background checks.

But Nino said that never happened.

“One of the things I told Mike, the marshal, is put it in writing. Because if it isn’t documented, it’s just hearsay,” said Nino. “So I would like to challenge him on his little accusations and the rest of the reserves – where’s their proof?”

Monday night, the board held a meeting to discuss how much longer the town will be without local police.

But some residents, like Robert Cox, took the opportunity to speak out against the board.

“Council member Nino has been arrested by Miami County for theft and intimidation,” said Cox. “So that’s a big concern.”

Cox also said a council member’s wife, who was also the town’s treasurer, was arrested for seven felony theft charges. Cox even brought the court documents as proof to the meeting.

“So those things kind of reflect a negative view by those personnel towards those law enforcement officials,” said Cox. “And it’s impacting the department.”

He said many residents now hope to get resignations from the board.

“We hope we can get some people into these positions that actually respect and cherish law enforcement,” said Cox. “They are our front line of defense.”

But Nino said he hopes to get a new marshal and new reserves who obey the law and respect the board.

“I think there is a lot of half-truths and I can’t go into which ones because there’s so many thrown at this board,” said Nino. “But the biggest thing that I look at is just because you put lipstick on a pig, doesn’t mean it’s a beauty queen.”

The board hopes to announce the new marshal and part-time deputy by Jan. 2.

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