Barrackville Mayor, Council Suspend Entire 2-Officer Police Department After Chief Quits
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 8
Barrackville Mayor, Council Suspend Entire 2-Officer Police Department After Chief Quits
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 8
Summary
Barrackville's mayor and town council relieved the town's entire police department of duty Tuesday, leaving the 1,200-person West Virginia town without an active local force days after Chief Zachary Freeburn resigned.
Hunt, the sergeant left in charge after Freeburn's exit, alleged town officials entered the police evidence room and that a council member acknowledged taking police keys; he said he then sought whistleblower protection before he and another officer were removed.
Freeburn wrote before his resignation that the newly elected council tried to place the department under direct council supervision, which he believed violated West Virginia law and would create a hostile work environment.
Residents have pushed back with an online petition to reinstate Freeburn and demands for transparency after the July 7 council meeting was canceled, while town officials have not publicly explained the department's suspension.
Marion County's sheriff said deputies will keep answering calls in Barrackville, but the episode has intensified scrutiny of how far municipal officials can control police operations under state law.