Atalissa Police Chief Matt Shook says he’s on the verge of resigning his position after being constantly harassed by residents, he told the Atalissa City Council Monday night at their regular April board meeting held at the Atalissa City Hall.
Before a nearly packed house for the second month in a row, Shook, who was hired in January, threatened the city that they could be without a police department should the harassment continue and nothing is done about it.
Shook said he’s been criticized for weeks on the city’s new Facebook social media page as residents are questioning his hours, his way of policing, maintenance of city vehicles and more and says he’s discussed the situation with his only part-time police officer, Cody Aplara, who has been on duty for the city for at least two years.
“Cody and I have talked and neither of us are interested in the way things are going,” Shook said. “If this is the direction the city wants us to take, there won’t be a city police department.”
Shook said he’s been trying to hire more part-time help to add to his force, but says unfavorable comments on social media have steered anyone from applying for the position, making his job even more difficult.
“As this continues to spiral, you’re destroying our reputation,” Shook said. “This is a death spiral.”
The chief claims he’s had people stalking his home in Muscatine, following his police vehicle while in Atalissa and said there were a number of people questioning why the Atalissa police vehicle was parked in Muscatine.
Mayor Bob Schmidt explained to the audience the vehicle was taken to Muscatine for installation of a new computer for the vehicle used in police business.
Shook said neither officer on his force wants to be harassed and said he didn’t think it was “appropriate” to be called out on everything he is trying to accomplish for the city. He called some of the accusations a “defamation of character.”
“Why would you want to put up with it,” Shook questioned after the meeting, noting he’s been called a liar and a cheat. “I’m just not going to put up with it much longer.”
With the exception of two residents asking about non-related issues, several Atalissa residents at the meeting were denied access to the public podium to speak about issues, many concerning Shook and the police department, during the city’s “public comment” section after making pre-meeting requests to speak. Mayor Bob Schmidt slammed his gavel several times at the meeting to calm the audience, many trying to get comments in while Shook threatened to escort people from the heated meeting
Look for more on Monday night’s Atalissa City Council meeting in next week’s Index.