West Virginia Town Left Without Police After Entire Force Is Fired Over Evidence Room Break-In

The entire police department of Barrackville, West Virginia, was dismissed by the city council and Mayor Tom Straight following a dispute over an alleged break-in into the department's evidence room. The controversy began when a former sergeant, identified as Sergeant Ant, discovered the evidence room had been breached and accused city council members of involvement, claiming one admitted to taking a set of police keys. After raising these allegations, Sergeant Ant and the only other remaining officer were immediately suspended. Additionally, the police department's clerk resigned, leaving the town without any police officers.

This mass firing occurred less than a week after Police Chief Zachary Privern resigned amid ongoing conflicts with the city council regarding their control over the police department. In response to the staffing vacuum, Marion County's undersheriff Roger Cunningham announced that his deputies would handle emergency calls in Barrackville, which has a population of 1,288, until the situation is resolved.

Local resident Isabella Famm expressed hope for a swift resolution, describing the town as "in a bit of chaos" and wishing for stability, transparency, and security to restore a strong community. The incident highlights tensions between local government officials and law enforcement in this small West Virginia town.