TOWN OF BUNKER HILL

101 WEST BROADWAY

Phone: 765-689-8758
PO BOX 565
Fax:
765-689-0822
BUNKER HILL, IN 46914__________________________________________________________________

Town of Bunker Hill Response to the resignation of the police department

The Town of Bunker Hill confirms that the entire police department has resigned
effective December 12, 2016. The Town Council of Bunker Hill makes the following statement
in response that that resignation.
Like most small towns, there have been from time to time, disagreements in the policy
making process between the town council and other town departments. The current town council
as well as prior councils have, on occasion, had disagreements with Mr. Thomison over a
number of things. These disagreements have primarily been caused by the lack of funding
available to the town to invest in the police department. However, the council denies that it has
failed to provide body armor for the marshal or reserve deputies. The council is well aware of
Indiana law on the topic and has complied with it fully. Further, the council absolutely denies
that it has ever asked Mr. Thomison or any of the reserve deputies to be involved in any illegal,
unethical or immoral actions.
The council admits that it had made a number of cuts to the police department over the
last few years. This was a decision the town made due to a lack of funding. Bunker Hill is
diligently working to solve this problem for the coming year. The cuts made to the police
department were not made with the intention of jeopardizing the safety of any of the town's
police officers. Over the last few years, the Council has made attempts to find additional money
for the department. Mr. Thomlison was instrumental in obtaining a large sum of money on behalf

of the town. However, he fails to state that the police department received the benefit of a large
portion of that funding.
As Mr. Thomlison has stated, there is currently a lawsuit pending against the town
relating to Indiana's Open Door Law. The council denies that it has violated Indiana's Open Door
Law in any manner. However, the council will not comment further on this topic as the litigation
is still pending.
The resignation of the entire police force has come as a shock to the council. It has never
been the goal to dismantle or otherwise endanger the town police department or officers. The
council thanks these officers for their service to the town. Bunker Hill is in the process of
obtaining a new marshal and reserve deputies. The council asks for patience from the town
residents in this process.