Something shocking just happened in the small town of Jacksboro, Texas. Every single police officer in the town, including the police chief and all nine officers, quit at the same time. As of now, the Jack County Sheriff’s Office has taken over to keep the town safe.
This sudden exit came after months of tension between the police department and city officials. It’s a serious situation for the town, and now, city leaders are working quickly to rebuild the entire police force from the ground up.
Why Did the Police Officers Quit?
The trouble started back in December 2024. City Manager Mike Smith was pulled over for a broken taillight. He later accused some officers of trying to frame him for drunk driving, even though there was no alcohol involved.
After that traffic stop, Smith placed the police chief and two officers on leave and called for an outside investigation by the Texas Rangers and District Attorney. The officers were cleared and returned to duty, but by then, trust between the police department and the city leadership had already been badly damaged.
Eventually, all officers—including the chief—decided to resign on April 30, 2025.
What’s Happening Now?
With no local police force left, Jack County Sheriff Charles “T-Bob” Hauger has stepped in. His deputies are now handling patrols and ongoing cases in Jacksboro.
According to Sheriff Hauger, one deputy is assigned to each shift, and more deputies are on standby if needed. While this is only a temporary fix, it’s helping to keep order in the town for now.
What’s Next for Jacksboro?
City Manager Mike Smith confirmed that a brand-new police department will be built from scratch. The city is currently hiring a new police chief, who will be in charge of recruiting and training new officers to rebuild the team.
The city hopes this new beginning will lead to better teamwork and a stronger connection between city leaders and the police department.
Why Did Tensions Rise?
A letter from the town’s police association said the officers had ongoing concerns about how the city was being run.
While exact details weren’t shared, this confirms that the issues were deeper than just the traffic stop. The relationship between the police and the city leadership had clearly broken down over time.
Now, Jacksboro is looking ahead, hoping to create a more united police force that works well with the city.