The town of Barrackville, West Virginia is embroiled in a controversy surrounding its police department after officials claimed that every single person in the agency was fired.
However, the town's general counsel, John Funkhouser, has disputed this claim, stating that the situation is "entirely inaccurate." He explained that two officers were placed on temporary leave pending an internal investigation into an alleged break-in at the department's evidence room.
The issue began when then-Police Chief Zachary Freeburn resigned "effective immediately" after allegedly informing council member Alex Neville that the department's evidence locker had been cleaned out under an order from the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, leaving firearms and cash behind.
The following day, Officer David Hunt reached out to Barrackville Mayor Thomas Straight regarding an "action plan" for the department, which led to Hunt and another officer being placed on temporary inactive status while the town's council reviewed the department's operations.
Concerns were raised about unauthorized individuals potentially accessing the police department's surveillance cameras, including those in the evidence room, which was found to have a list of safe combinations on a desk and an unsecured rifle in a cruiser.
After town officials met with the West Virginia State Police, the Barrackville Police Department's clerk resigned, and the town's version of events differs significantly from the account given by Hunt.
The town of Barrackville has stated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the safety of its residents, with Funkhouser saying that the town officials took necessary acts of oversight to ensure the police department was complying with all rules and regulations.
The situation has left the town's residents without a functioning police force, with the Marion County Sheriff's Office agreeing to handle calls within Barrackville until further notice.
