Here’s how to do it for now if your sheriff’s office doesn’t have an IA or you’re not comfortable going to the sheriff
Sarah Scully, Anchor/Reporter
How do you report a complaint about a local deputy - even a sheriff - if the sheriff’s office has lost the public’s trust?
Turns out, not even the North Carolina governor has administrative authority over local police.
Since the NC State Bureau of Investigations arrested former Madison County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Coy Phillips in June for 5 felonies and 2 misdemeanors allegedly committed while serving under Madison County Sheriff “Buddy” Harwood, many people have sent messages asking for help.
But where to send them if the complaints are about other Madison cops not under current SBI investigation?
The answer is to contact the man in charge of 26,000 cops.
The NC Director of Sheriff’s Training and Standards Division Maj. William Mitchell said in an Oct. 2 text message to “have them send me their concerns, complaints, and any supporting images, text messages and/or documents.”
As far as any fears people may have about possible retaliation?
He said “I will surely keep their concerns private my friend.”
His email is wmitchell@ncdoj.gov.
To report misconduct on other public officials: https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/report-misconduct/
For information on the investigative process: https://ncdoj.gov/law-enforcement-training/criminal-justice/investigations/
Note: On that link, there is an option to report a law enforcement officer. I used that to send an email to Deputy Director Thomas Hopkins early this morning, and quickly received a response on my concerns by Director Mitchell. Please directly email wmitchell@ncdoj.gov for MCSO issues.
