Council members say an audit revealed 25 guns bought to outfit the department's officers were missing
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HERTFORD, N.C. (WAVY) - Council members in a northeastern North Carolina town say an investigation into the town's police department uncovered troubling concerns.
"We want to say that this council is not trying to hide anything and we will be very transparent ongoing," said Hertford Vice Mayor Quentin Jackson.
In 2018, Jackson says the council asked the state's internal affairs division for an investigation in the Perquimans County town.
"After receiving those findings we began looking into those claims and found that officers had purposely dismantled in-car cameras, not using body cameras and basically doing whatever they wanted," Jackson added.
Council members say an audit revealed 25 guns bought to outfit the department's officers were missing. Three have since been returned.
The vice mayor tells said he believes the missing guns are part of a gun selling ring involving officers and other town officials.
"Last year some guns were ordered that were found should not be on the streets in Hertford and the council ordered them to be sent back," Jackson said.
Items from the evidence room such as Tasers were also found to be missing.
"We will prosecute everybody, and some of these guys are still police officers, and that is very disturbing," Jackson added.
The district attorney tells WAVY-TV that so far he hasn't found any evidence of criminal activity. The council plans to reach out to the North Carolina Attorney General.
The findings are still concerning for residents.
"We have a major problem here in Perquimans County and hopefully we can come together and work things out," said resident Connie Brothers.
"I'm looking forward to the truth coming to the surface and that a solution will be found." added resident Vanora Brothers.
