GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. — A new lawsuit is pushing to stop the possible abolishment of the Glynn County Police Department.
In a 51-page lawsuit, the Glynn County board of commissioners argues two senate bills to get rid of the county’s police department are unconstitutional.
County commission filed the lawsuit Friday questioning Senate bills 38 and 509.
The lawsuit names Georgia’s secretary of state, the state board of elections, and all its members individually.
Action News Jax talked to Glynn County Commissioner Bob Coleman through Zoom.
Coleman says he’s disappointed.
“We don’t understand why a local delegate and Senator Ligon and house member Don Hogan would even think about pulling up something like this against their own districts,” Coleman explained.
After passing the Georgia general assembly in June and being signed by Governor Brian Kemp in August, the decision will now be in the hands of voters come November.
If approved all of the agency’s operations and assets would be transferred to the Glynn County sheriff.
“This whole thing has just gotten so blown up out of proportion and I can’t help but throw in the big ugly world “politics”, Coleman said.
Coleman says the commission wants to prevent the November 3rd election from happening while the lawsuit is being considered.
“We immediately responded and that’s where we kind of are right now,” said Coleman.
Efforts to disband the Glynn County Police Department have been in the works for months following a number of scandals.
The recent shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery and the department’s handling of the case renewed those efforts.