The entire police department in Barrackville, West Virginia, was relieved of duty by the mayor and town council, days after the police chief resigned, leading to public outcry and accusations of government overreach. The abrupt dismissal has stunned residents and marks a significant disruption for the small town's law enforcement.
In a Facebook post, the department announced the decision was effective immediately, expressing gratitude for the community's support. This action follows the recent resignation of Police Chief Zachary Freeburn.
Allegations of Interference and Evidence Room Breach
According to a letter written by former Chief Freeburn before the department's dismissal, his resignation was prompted by directives from a newly elected town council member. Freeburn stated he was told a council member would directly supervise the police department and implement operational changes. He objected, believing these directives violated West Virginia law governing municipal police departments. Freeburn wrote that he felt his concerns created a hostile work environment, leading to his decision to resign to bring issues into the open.
Former Barrackville Police Sgt. Hunt also raised concerns, alleging that the police evidence room had been entered without authorization. He told WBOY that town officials had previously discussed conducting an inventory of the department without officers present. Hunt further claimed that Councilmember Alex Neville acknowledged taking a set of police keys and that he and another officer, who constituted the entire sworn force, were immediately relieved of duty after he accused town officials of entering the evidence room. Hunt stated he intended to seek whistleblower protections.
Community Reaction and Demands for Transparency
Following Freeburn's resignation, a Barrackville resident initiated an online petition calling for the town council to reinstate him. The petition asserts that Freeburn was "forced to resign due to what many residents believe was unnecessary overreach by the newly elected Town Council." Organizers urged town leaders to reconsider the circumstances, restore public confidence through transparency, and reinstate Freeburn as police chief, noting his professionalism and commitment to safety.
Residents also planned to attend a town council meeting on July 7 to voice their concerns, but the meeting was canceled. The Barrackville Town Council cited "a lack of sufficient information regarding items listed under unfinished business" as the reason for the cancellation, which further fueled questions and demands for answers on social media.
Barrackville, a town of approximately 1,200 residents in Marion County, West Virginia, is located southwest of Morgantown. The Marion County Sheriff's Office is continuing to respond to calls in Barrackville, ensuring law enforcement services remain available. Town officials have not publicly provided an explanation for the dismissal of the police department or addressed the allegations made by former officers.