Town cuts police force funds after near-nude chief loses job

CROYDON, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire town that eliminated its one-man police department prompting the then-chief to disrobe to his underwear and walk into a snowstorm has voted to decrease its budget by over $31,000.

Residents in the small town of Croydon voted Saturday to cut back appropriations for the now-scrapped police department, Valley News reported.

The town's three-member selectboard voted last month to get rid of the department and move to 100% coverage by the New Hampshire State Police.

Richard Lee, who had been chief for 20 years, was told to turn in the key to his crusier, his guns and his uniform. He went into an office he shared with town officials and took off his clothes in front of the board chairman.

Lee said that if he had left with his gear, he didn’t want to face the possibility of being arrested. As he took off his clothes, he said, the chairman said he didn’t have to do that, but Lee said those were the orders.