Roanoke Rapids city council to meet Tuesday after police chief, captain placed on leave
Two high-ranking members of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department are on leave, but the reason is not clear.
Members of the city council and City Attorney Geoffery Davis told WRAL News that Chief B.L. Martin and Capt. Jamie Hardy were placed on administrative leave on Friday.
City Manager Kelly Traynham said that leave would be unpaid, and there is no timetable for how long the leave might last.
The city council is set to meet Tuesday to discuss the two officers who have been placed on "non-disciplinary suspension." A portion of the meeting will be closed.
The Roanoke Rapids City Attorney Geoffrey Davis said they will not release more information about the investigation since neither of the officers have been charged with any crimes at this time.
Officer Gordon Williams was named acting police chief. WRAL News asked to speak with Williams on Monday about taking over the department, but we were told he was unavailable.
On Monday, the State Bureau of Investigation said it is not investigating the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.
Davis said the city is handling the situation alone.
WRAL News asked Davis if either man was suspected of misconduct, but he said he could not comment. No one who spoke to WRAL News would comment on the reason for the leave, citing state personnel laws.
Reached by telephone, Hardy said, “I can’t discuss it. I’ve been ordered not to say anything.”
Martin declined to comment.
Some Roanoke Rapids residents said the shakeup raises concerns about the state of the police department.
"Not good," resident Josh Endictot said. "[There are] definitely some things going on that should definitely come to light, and I think the community deserves to know."
City council members said they still haven't been told why the officers are on leave, and expect to find out during a closed session next week.
Some residents said the city needs to give the public an update before then.
"It’s just, it’s not right," Endictot said. "I mean, they work for the community, and to be non-transparent and not release any information, no details, that’s wrong."
WRAL News asked Mayor Emery Doughtie for a response to resident concerns. He said he had no more information to share.
