The offer from Pataskala police Chief Chris Forshey came about a week after voters shot down a tax increase proposal, 10TV's Kevin Landers reported.

Forshey said he would rather stay on the job but will step down if it would change perception issues in the city and get the increase passed.

"If there is a perception issue, and I'm part of the bad perception issue, then from that side of the story, I'm willing to say OK," Forshey said.  "If this makes it better and gets the funding issue passed, and causes them to keep a police department, then it's the right thing to do."

"We are at a critical juncture," Forshey said. "I can't fathom the city of Pataskala without a police department. We have to look at ways to extend the life of the police department into 2011."

In a letter to city council, Forshey proposed -- in essence -- letting the city buy out his contract, Landers reported.

He is due to make $400,000 over the next five years.

And that is not the only cut the city if looking at possibly making.

The mayor recommended eliminating one police position, selling four unused police cruisers and no longer contributing to the Licking County drug task force.

In these tough economic times, voters understand raising taxes is a tough sell.
But they also see the downside of not having protection close by.

For officer Greg Dearth, he and his fellow officers face an uncertain future, without passage of police levy.

"Basically until they tell me I don't have a job any more, I'll continue to show up," said Dearth. "I don't believe the city doesn't want a police department I just believe we need an option everyone can agree on."

Pataskala City Council is expected to discuss the police chief's resignation next week.

Some in the community have asked the city pay for a performance audit to find out exactly where the city is spending its money

The mayor said the city is looking into that.

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