Southwest
Town's entire police force, including chief, resigns on same day
An entire Oklahoma police department resigned on Thursday, leaving locals confused.
“To the Citizens of Geary. We regret to inform you, and we are sad to say that our entire Police Force resigned this morning at 10:00 am,” Geary Public Information Officer Terryl Allen said in a statement. “Considering this information, we were able to quickly secure an interim Chief of Police effective immediately, so the City of Geary is being taken care of without delay.”
Allen said the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office and the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office “are aware of the situation and offered their assistance during this time of transition.”
Locals appeared to be confused by the announcement posted to Facebook, writing, “But why did they all resign?” and “I think an explanation as to what happened is what everyone wants.”
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The entire Geary, Oklahoma, Police Department resigned on Thursday. (Facebook/ Geary Police Department)
Geary Police Chief Alicia Ford announced her resignation in a Thursday statement posted to Facebook, suggesting the Geary City Council may have been behind her decision to leave.
“Thank you citizens of Geary for allowing me (Alicia Ford) to serve as your chief for the past year. It is with great sadness that I and the rest of the Geary Police Officers will no longer be serving this community,” she wrote. “This choice was very difficult to make, but it was the right decision for me and the other officers. I have watched the officers serve this community selflessly, working hard to protect and provide the best quality of service possible. They have been an amazing team that was always willing to sacrifice for this community.”
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Geary Police Department Chief Alicia Ford shares a Halloween message on Facebook. (Facebook/ Geary Police Department)
Ford is encouraging members of the community “to take the time to get to know your council members and to be as involved as possible in the city, especially attending the city council meetings.”
“Your voices are stronger when you stand together as one, and you all have the ability to affect the change you want to see in your community,” Ford added. “It has been my honor to serve Geary, and I will forever cherish the people of this community.”
An acting chief, JJ Stitt, has been tapped to fill Ford’s position.
An acting chief, JJ Stitt, has been tapped to fill Ford’s position. (Google Maps)
Ford took over in 2023 after former Chief Cecil Harrall was fired by the city council in March of that year, following an affair scandal.
Allen said Geary residents are still able to make emergency 911 calls, “and an officer will be dispatched to assist you,” he said in his statement.
Geary “is currently working to make repairs and restore power to all our citizens from damage that was done during a severe thunderstorm yesterday evening. Thank you for your patience and understanding,” Allen added.
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A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.
Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.
He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.
At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota.
She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.
Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.
“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.
In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.
On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.
“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”
“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”
Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888
The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]
A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]
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