Barrackville, West Virginia, is facing a sudden law enforcement gap after its entire police force was dismissed by town leaders.
The move came amid a dispute involving police oversight, a reported evidence room incident, and questions surrounding the future of law enforcement in the community.
The Barrackville Police Department, which serves the Marion County town of about 1,200 residents, announced Tuesday that Mayor Tom Straight and the Town Council had removed all members of the department from service effective immediately.
The department thanked residents for their support and said serving the community had been an honor.
The removal followed the resignation of Police Chief Zachary Freeburn, who said he stepped down over concerns about what he described as excessive involvement by town officials in police operations.
Freeburn said he became concerned after a private meeting where he claimed a council member planned to take a direct supervisory role over the department, WBOY reported.
In a letter intended for the town council, Freeburn argued that police department supervision falls under the authority of the police chief rather than individual council members.
He said proposed changes involving department policies, procedures, and approval requirements raised concerns about the independence of law enforcement operations.
The situation intensified when former Sgt. Hunt said he arrived at police headquarters Tuesday and discovered what he described as a break-in involving the department’s evidence room.
Hunt told local media that he met with Mayor Straight and members of the council to discuss the incident.
Hunt said town officials had previously discussed conducting an inventory of department property without officers present and alleged that a council member admitted to taking a set of police keys.
He said that after raising concerns that members of local government may have been involved in the evidence room incident, he and the department’s remaining officer were placed on inactive status, according to KTLA.
Hunt also said the department clerk resigned and that he informed town leaders he intended to pursue whistleblower protections.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and town officials have not publicly responded to the claims.
The Barrackville Town Council canceled its scheduled Tuesday evening meeting, citing a lack of sufficient information regarding items listed under unfinished business.
Local reporters said attempts to reach town officials for comment were unsuccessful.
With the department no longer operating, Marion County Sheriff Roger Cunningham said his office will continue responding to calls in Barrackville while the town determines how to move forward with policing services.
The dispute has placed the small Appalachian community at the center of a debate over police independence, local government authority, and government transparency.
While the former officers have raised allegations about the events leading to their removal, no public investigation has concluded that any town official committed wrongdoing.
The town’s next steps remain unclear as residents await additional information about whether Barrackville will rebuild its police department or continue relying on county law enforcement for coverage.
WATCH:
