PILOT MOUNTAIN, N.C. — The Town of Pilot Mountain wrapped up its investigation of the police department and as a result, two more officers were fired.
Town manager Michael Boaz said effective Monday, Dec. 11, Sergeant Jason Chrismon and Officer Ryan Blizard were fired from the police department.
Previously, the town parted ways with former chiefs of police, Robbie Jackson and Darryl Bottoms.
The investigation involved fraud allegations within the police department.
“Our investigative team found overwhelming evidence that these allegations were not only based in truth but likely expanded beyond the scope of their investigation,” said a town spokesperson. “It is important to note that these allegations, the evidence uncovered, and any violation of town policy or employee misconduct are not related to any separate, ongoing criminal investigations.”
Town officials said an outside consulting agency found that Jackson and Bottoms collected checks for officers scheduled to work off-duty at local events, even though the officers did not work. The investigation revealed that as chief, Jackson would have the checks cashed and give them to other officers, including himself.
Investigators also found that Jackson and Bottoms used misleading scheduling of officers for local events as a way to avoid reporting off-duty earnings to the IRS.
The investigation also found that Bottoms and Jackson would schedule off-duty assignments for officers at the same time as their on-duty shifts, and as a result, defrauding either the Town of Pilot Mountain, the nonprofit running the event, or both entities.
Town officials said the investigation also found that Jackson used his position as chief to help others buy guns not meant for the police department and signed an ATF form stating the gun would be used exclusively for the police department.
Interim Police Chief Adrian Tillotson said he's committed to reforming the police department.
“Starting today and every day going forward, our department will strive to deliver the ultimate standard in community policing,” said Tillotson. “I firmly believe that we have the officers today that will allow us to build on a strong foundation to achieve this goal.”