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STALLINGS, N.C. — A recent report showed the town of Stallings is not alone in considering disbanding its police department.

Town leaders are debating whether to replace patrol officers with Union County deputies. The town would set a new state precedent if leaders decide to disband the police department. N.C. State Professor Dr. James Brunet recently published a report which examined the disbandment of nearly 20 police departments in North Carolina the last 15 years.

“It would be the largest police disbandment in North Carolina,” said Dr. Brunet.

Brunet’s work found a local change in political leadership, a police chief who retires or is forced out or a financial crisis are the main factors in why smaller communities end their departments. Brunet said Stallings could also fit that criteria.

“They seem to meet many of the characteristics of jurisdictions that did away with their police department,” said Dr. Brunet.

The largest community in Brunet’s study to disband its police department was in 1999, with Bessemer City in Gaston County. Bessemer City now uses Gaston County Police, who operate out of city hall and save officials an estimated $700,000 a year.

“Budget wise it’s been to our great advantage,” said Allan Farris, the Bessemer city manager.

However, as a recent public comment showed, many Stallings residents want no part of losing their own officers.

"You take away that police presence and automatically we get targeted by the criminal element to come out here," said Stallings resident Jay Collins.

Stallings Mayor Lynda Paxton said any decision on the Stallings Police Department likely won't be made for a year.