BARRACKVILLE, W.Va. — The Town of Barrackville is currently without a police department after the mayor and town council voted to remove all remaining officers from duty Tuesday.
According to a statement released by the Barrackville Police Department, every member of the department was relieved of their duties effective immediately. At the time of the decision, the department employed just two officers.
One of the former officers said the situation unfolded Tuesday morning after he discovered what he believed to be unauthorized entry into the department’s evidence room. He said he then requested a meeting with Mayor Tom Straight and members of the town council to discuss the matter.
During that meeting, the former officer alleged that town officials had accessed the evidence room and claimed a council member acknowledged possessing a set of police department keys. He said shortly after raising those concerns, both remaining officers were placed on inactive status.
The former officer also said the department’s police clerk resigned following the incident and that he intends to pursue whistleblower protections.
The dismissals come less than a week after former Police Chief Zachary Freeburn resigned from his position. According to the former officer, the chief’s resignation followed ongoing disagreements with the town council over what he believed was excessive involvement in police department operations.
A regularly scheduled Barrackville Town Council meeting planned for Tuesday evening was canceled the day before. In a public notice, town officials said the meeting was canceled because there was insufficient information regarding items listed under unfinished business.
As of Wednesday, town officials had not publicly addressed the allegations surrounding the evidence room or the removal of the department. Efforts to obtain comment from town officials were unsuccessful.
Despite the elimination of the town’s police department, Marion County Sheriff Roger Cunningham said the Marion County Sheriff’s Department will continue providing law enforcement services in Barrackville as it has historically done throughout the county.
Former Police Chief Freeburn also prepared a letter intended to be presented at the canceled town council meeting outlining his concerns regarding the ongoing dispute with town officials.
