A small Texas town has become completely without police officers after the last officer was dismissed during the city’s first council session following the arrest of its mayor, reports indicate.

Lieutenant Eric Tuma was fired on Monday from the Hawkins Police Department for alleged “dereliction of duty” and “abandonment of the post,” in a close 3-2 vote by the Hawkins City Council. The decision was welcomed by the town’s controversial Mayor, Deborah Lynn Rushing.

“We are committed to establishing policies that comply with Texas law,” Rushing stated, according to KETK.

This meeting was the first since May, when Rushing was arrested on charges related to tampering with official records. She allegedly recorded conversations with officials without their knowledge and withheld them from the public, as reported by KLTV.

It is also claimed that Rushing secretly recorded multiple council members during a meet-and-greet event on April 24. She reportedly took credit for the police layoffs earlier this year, which left Tuma as the last remaining officer, KLTV reported.

The recordings were allegedly shared with Matthew Todd Eddington, a local internet troll with a history of posting hateful comments about Hawkins officials, who has also been detained. Both are under investigation by Texas Rangers, according to reports.

Mayor Rushing previously revoked three police badges in February, citing improper hiring practices and lack of necessary approval from the city council, according to KETK.

Officers originally hired by ex-police chief Paul Holland, who resigned shortly after Rushing attempted to disband the police department, were appointed during his tenure. A 4-1 vote in February prevented that disbandment.

The council’s decision to dismiss the final officer surprised many residents and council members. Councilmember Eric Maloy criticized the process, questioning the lack of formal documentation regarding Tuma’s termination.

Hawkins resident Amy Pack expressed her frustration, leaving the meeting upset and stating she wouldn’t call 911, opting to protect her home herself.