ELTON, La. ( KPLC /Gray News) - Financial issues have forced a town council in Louisiana to lay off nearly its entire police force.

The Elton Town Council announced during a long Wednesday night meeting that the entire police department will be laid off, excluding the chief, due to budget issues.

“They told me today that they didn’t have enough money to pay for my department. I would be the only one working in the department,” Elton Police Chief Bruce Lemelle said.

The meeting was a contentious one filled with budget questions and utility increases.

Ultimately, the town council decided on the police department layoffs.

“They say I spent $317,000 in seven months, ain’t no way I did that. They’re telling me I don’t have enough funds to keep my department open, but we have all these ot

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