It's a political office
The man chosen by Mecklenburg County Democrats to serve as sheriff may be denied the office because he's been turned down for a surety bond, the Observer reports.
That's actually good news for county commissioners, who are supposed to rubberstamp the party's choice but were balking on Nick Mackey even before this latest news.
A record of personal bankruptcy and resignation-under-pressure as a police officer isn't a good resume for sheriff.
Mackey obviously had political appeal, but that shouldn't be the main requirement.
Of course, sheriff is a political office.
On a related subject: A former Buncombe County sheriff is charged with running a gambling operation through his office, the Asheville Citizen-Times reports.
Comments (6)
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Whether it's gaming operations or homes for wayward teen hookers, surprisingly, I think we can agree, law enforcement can be an enterprising group of guys
Posted on December 14, 2007 11:53 AM
There are extraordinary opportunities, which makes you appreciate the vast majority of officers who do their jobs honesty and don't abuse their position.
A serious question, especially regarding sheriff's, is oversight. To whom are they accountable?
Yes, the voters. Same as for district attorneys. But in the Nifong case, that wasn't adequate protection of the public trust.
So, who has or should have the authority to watch over sheriffs?
Posted on December 14, 2007 12:00 PM
So, who has or should have the authority to watch over sheriffs?* Doug
The Voters! And who watches over the Watchers? Democracy does have a habit in getting in the way of the Watchers. And what are elections for if a political party decides who gets the office?
Posted on December 14, 2007 12:22 PM
UPDATE ON COACH MACKEY
Nick Mackey is reporting that he has secured the surety bond necessary to take office, but refuses to release the name of the company through which he purchased the bond according to the Charlotte Observer.
Mackey also said that during the time of his bankruptcy he was staying with friends in Burlington while he was separated from his wife. He did not address why he voted in Mecklenburg County prior to and directly after filing for bankruptcy in another county and claiming that county as his home.
No doubt Brother Mackey needs to get his name into the Atlanta Falcons new coach pool after watching him put some slick moves on the political system
Posted on December 14, 2007 6:48 PM
On a related subject: A former Buncombe County sheriff is charged with running a gambling operation through his office, the Asheville Citizen-Times reports.* Doug
Payback is heck sometimes in the Police State law enforcement business
May 23, 2001
Later, up to 50 local citizens concerned about the fate of those arrested held vigil outside of the Buncombe County Jail. They remained there peacefully assembled, sitting on the sidewalk and talking about the day’s events.
At roughly 6:30pm, Buncombe County Sheriff Bobby Medford arrived in an unmarked car on the scene, visibly angered. Removing a shotgun from his trunk, Medford, dressed in civilian garb, charged through the crowd, aiming the gun at several of those assembled.
“I’ll f####ng kill you, I don’t give a f##k! Move off the sidewalk or you’ll be shot,” shouted Medford, ordering deputies to use deadly force if necessary.
" I am so sick and tried of these Communists and Liberals here, they have no rights as far as I am concern" said Sheriff Medford to a reporter on the scene.
Arrests began after Bill Gorz of Candler, North Carolina criticized Medford, suggesting he was overreacting. When Medford ordered him to be arrested, APD and Sheriff’s deputies swarmed the man, dragging him into prison.
As the crowd dispersed across the streets, five others were grabbed and detained.
Noticeably agitated by the escalation, the remainder of those gathered left in compliance with police orders. Many people there continued to criticize police behavior as they dispersed.
Medford asserts that the situation represented a jail break though people, many seated, had been gathered non-violently for some time.
By the day’s end, police had made eleven arrests, all on misdemeanor charges. Charges included “failure to disperse,” “resisting arrest,” “assaulting a police officer,” and “riding a bicycle on the wrong side of the road.”
At arraignment hearings in county court Tuesday morning, most of those arrested in the incident were charged and assigned trial dates, as over twenty concerned community members watched through five hours of proceedings.
Tensions were high as up to seven police watched on from the back row. One person was removed from the court room for disruptive behavior after raising a hand to greet a defendant. Sheriff Medford appeared at one point to talk to officers, reportedly asking them to investigate the identities and names of those gathered to bear witness.
Wednesday evening the last of those charged with crimes were released and await court hearing late next month.
Posted on December 14, 2007 7:03 PM
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Posted on December 21, 2007 8:34 PM