Babbitt, Minn.-- (Northern News Now) — A packed crowd filled the Babbitt City Council chambers Monday night as residents pushed back against possible cuts to the city’s police force and library.

The special meeting quickly turned tense. At one point, the police officer whose position was on the chopping block stood before councilors to defend his department.

“I’m angry at how this council has trotted my chief’s name in the mud publicly and personally and privately to the citizens of this town, he is the best thing that has happened to this town in a long time,” said Babbitt Police Officer Phillip Ruelle.

The comment comes amid online discourse about the possible cuts and alleged inaction from the current police chief.

“These are not just job securities for our officers but the security

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