Barely a year after promising to reform its chronically troubled police force, the city of Maywood announced Wednesday that it would disband the 60-member department effective June 30.
City officials said the closure was caused by the city's loss of insurance. Earlier this month, the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority notified Maywood that it was terminating general liability and workers' compensation coverage because the city posed too high a risk. An excessive number of claims filed against the Police Department, and the city's failure to hire a permanent city manager, were among the highest risk factors, according to the agency.
"We don't have an alternative," Councilman Felipe Aguirre said "Nobody will insure us, not as long as we have the Police Department, even though we haven't had any claims filed against us recently."
The City Council will meet Monday to discuss what happens next — whether the city will contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department or the city of Bell for police services.
Troubled L.A. County Community Disbands Police Force
City officials said the closure was caused by the city's loss of insurance. Earlier this month, the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority notified Maywood that it was terminating general liability and workers' compensation coverage because the city posed too high a risk.
