LELAND, NC (WWAY) -- Leland is once again in the spotlight. The
town has suspended five police officers without pay as a result of ongoing
investigations.
Town Manager David Hollis
and interim Police Chief Mike James informed the following officers of their
suspensions today: Deputy Chief Karl Smith, Lt. Bill Kozak, Lt. Rick Dellapia,
Officer Michael Landen and Officer John Blasingame.
“It's been going on for
some time and just recently we received some information that led us to this
point right here,” Hollis said. "We will continue with the ongoing
investigations until we have all the necessary information to make an informed
and final decision on these officers and their further employment with the Town
of Leland Police Department. We feel strongly that the actions we have taken
today are warranted based on the information we have thus far received."
James says there are
several allegations of policy violations, but could not give any more details
because of the ongoing investigation.
"We want the citizens
of the Town of Leland to know and understand that we are dedicated to providing
effective and courteous law enforcement," James said. "The level of
service required of the police department by the town and the citizens will not
be diminished by the actions taken today."
“This is fairly indefinite
until we can get the full information from the investigation,” Hollis said.
“I’ve asked that the investigation be expedited so that we can come to a
conclusion fairly soon.”
Hollis and James say the
ultimate goal is to re-establish trust and move forward to changing the perceptions
people have of the police department.
“To be able to do that, we
have got to check ourselves and make sure that we are following the same rules
and laws that we expect everybody else to do,” James said.
Last
year, during an audit of documents and training files, state regulators
discovered Blasingame had not completed his mandatory in-service training in
2009 due to his military commitment. Training and Standards said then that
Blasingame should be relieved of his duty immediately.