Future of MS police department topic at Mineral Springs City Council meeting

The majority of Monday’s meeting of the Mineral Springs City Council addressed statements made by mayor-elect Bobby Tullis.

City council members spent about 30 minutes in executive session discussing Tullis’ expressed desire to dissolve the Mineral Springs Police Department. When the council returned to open session, Mayor Vera Mark’s announced the council had expressed their support for the police department and Police Chief Francisco Mercado.

Mercado addressed the council about conversations, text and Facebook messages that he had with Tullis about Tullis’ desire to terminate the officers of the police department and keep himself as the only officer in the department.

Mercado also reported Officer Eric Garner has resigned and Monday was his last day. Mercado informed the council members and the nine citizens in attendance that the city of Mineral Springs no longer had 24-hour police coverage.

Howard County Sheriff Bryan McJunkins expressed his support for Mercado and the Mineral Springs Police Department. He stated there has been a decrease in violent crime within the City of Mineral Springs since Mercado became the police chief.

Mayor Mark’s then read a resolution that states municipalities maintain in control of their police and fire departments, not a single elected official.