Francisco Town Council votes to dissolve town marshal office

FRANCISCO, Ind. (WFIE) - The Francisco Town Council voted to get rid of the office of town marshal on Thursday afternoon.

Things got heated inside the meeting as the majority of people who spoke begged the council to keep the town’s law enforcement. 

The town council only let residents of Francisco speak, meaning some of the deputies who don’t live in Francisco - weren’t allowed to speak. 

After public comment, the town council moved forward with a vote - wiping out the town marshal and deputy positions. 

14 News heard a wide range of opinions. 

“They made a decision and this has obviously been discussed elsewhere,” Town Marshal Michael Collins said.

“They go down that road 60 miles an hour and it’s a 20 mile an hour speed zone, and you tell me we don’t need a police office,” one resident said.

“I don’t want them back,” another resident said. “They have downgraded people. They have slandered.”

Collins told 14 News he was placed on leave back in March. 

A “Due Process Hearing” for Collins had been set in April, but was postponed because of COVID-19.

Another hearing was set for June 18, but it was also postponed.

The town council declined to comment. 

You can watch the Francisco Town Council’s full Thursday meeting in the video below.

(Please note camera will be shooting video to edit later and might move at times.)

Last week, 14 News reached out to the Gibson County Sheriff about their office covering the area if there is no police in Francisco. He told us he has heard nothing about it.

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