Georgia town reinstates police force days after mayor fired entire department

A small Georgia town’s police force was reinstated Friday after the mayor fired every officer just days earlier, drawing backlash and prompting action by the town council.

During a special meeting, the Cohutta Town Council voted to reinstate the officers immediately and provide back pay, the town’s vice mayor told The Associated Press.

The council also passed a separate measure preventing the mayor from firing the officers for the next 30 days but tabled the rest of the agenda, including a proposal to remove Mayor Ron Shinnick.