Roanoke Rapids city manager to release details Wednesday about police chief, captain placed on unpaid leave

On Wednesday, we will find out why the Roanoke Rapids police chief and captain are on administrative leave.

The announcement will be made at 4 p.m., and residents will finally get some answers.

Thirty minutes into a city council meeting Tuesday night in Roanoke Rapids, the council moved the meeting to a closed-door session.

Many in attendance were hoping to receive answers about Chief BL Martin and Captain Jamie Hardy, who were placed on administrative leave March 17.

It was not made immediately clear why Martin and Hardy were initially placed on leave.

City Manager Kelly Traynham said that leave would be unpaid, and there is no timetable for how long the leave might last.

When WRAL News asked city attorney for Roanoke Rapids Geoffrey Davis why Martin and Hardy were placed on leave, Davis said the city manager would release a statement to residents.

“The city manager will get you a statement tomorrow,” Davis said.

As for who is currently running Roanoke Rapids police, the department is running as usual with acting police chief Gorton Williams in charge.

WRAL News asked Davis about the residents in the community that wanted answers now about what is going on with their police department.

“They just have to be patient on what we can reveal even with council consensus,” Davis said.