MEIGS, Ga. (WCTV Eyewitness News) – The drama continues in Meigs, Georgia. This time, it’s not the mayor who’s out of a job; it’s the entire police department

The cars are parked and the doors are locked at the Meigs Police Department.

“I’m at a point now where I’m tired of bickering with them. In the best interest of public safety and peace, we just decided to go ahead and make this a peaceful transition,” said Gary Price, former police chief.

The city council cited financial reasons for closing the department. The motion passed in a 3-2 vote. However, the new mayor Cheryl Walter explained that the council needed one more for the motion to be legal.

“A majority of four votes is needed to pass any measure or resolution. Something as important as closing the police department, which did not allow for any input from the citizens, I believe the decision is illegal,” Walter said.

The closing came just 48 hours before her swearing in. Walter said now that she’s in office, it’s time to move the city in the right direction.

She’s hoping to piece together a community that many say has been torn far too long.

“We’re in a mess right now. It’s not going to move smoothly overnight, but if all of us work together we can do good,” said Walter.

Walter went on to explain that she doesn’t know when the police department will be reinstated, but she said it will be her first order of business.

For now, the police department remains closed. The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office said since most of Meigs sits in Thomas County, they’ll respond to their calls until further notice.