US town left without its own police force after evidence room controversy triggers mass firing

BARRACKVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA: A small West Virginia town has found itself at the center of a growing controversy after its entire police department was relieved of duty following allegations of an evidence room break-in and escalating tensions between law enforcement and town leaders.

The dramatic development unfolded on Tuesday, when the Barrackville Police Department announced that all members of the department had been relieved of duty by the Barrackville Town Council and Mayor Tom Straight.

The move came less than a week after Police Chief Zachary Freeburn abruptly resigned, citing concerns about council interference and a lack of transparency.

Alleged evidence room breach triggered latest showdown

Former Barrackville Police Sgt Hunt said the situation escalated after he arrived at the department Tuesday morning and discovered what he believed was a break-in at the police evidence room.

According to Hunt, he immediately requested a meeting with Mayor Tom Straight and members of the town council to discuss the issue.

He alleged that council members had previously expressed interest in conducting an inventory of the police department without officers being present.

Hunt further claimed that one council member admitted to taking a set of police department keys.

After accusing members of town government of entering the evidence room, Hunt said he and the department's only other officer were immediately placed on inactive status.

The situation quickly worsened. Hunt said the department's police clerk also resigned, leaving Barrackville with no police personnel.

He added that he informed town officials he would seek whistleblower protection.

Police chief resigned days before mass firings

The controversy comes just days after Police Chief Zachary Freeburn stepped down from his position.

According to Hunt, Freeburn had repeatedly clashed with the town council over what he described as excessive involvement in police operations.

Before the department was dissolved, Freeburn prepared a letter intended for a town council meeting.

In it, he apologized to residents for his sudden resignation but stressed that it "was not without reason."

Freeburn claimed that after a new council took office, he was informed during a private meeting that a council member would directly supervise the police department.

He argued that such an arrangement conflicted with West Virginia state code.

He also alleged that proposed changes to department policies, work schedules, procedures and activity approvals signaled what he viewed as a hostile work environment.

"This type of mindset, especially in law enforcement, is extremely dangerous," Freeburn wrote.

Residents seek stability as town loses police department

The town council had been scheduled to meet Tuesday evening, but the meeting was canceled, with officials citing a lack of sufficient information regarding unfinished business items.

Attempts to reach town officials for comment were reportedly unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, Marion County Sheriff Roger Cunningham said residents would continue receiving law enforcement services despite the department's collapse.

He confirmed that sheriff's deputies would respond to calls in Barrackville as they do throughout the rest of Marion County.

For many residents, the situation has created uncertainty. Barrackville resident Isabella Pham said she hopes the town can move beyond the turmoil.

"I just think that the town right now is in a little bit of a mess," Pham said.

"We've gone through a lot of different people, and I'm just hoping that at the end of this, we can get a little bit of stability, transparency and security, and get back to having a stronger community versus a town of pitchforks and torches."