By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• Weber City, Virginia’s police department has no remaining officers after the town council voted to fire the police chief and a sergeant.
• Two other officers were dismissed recently because the department lacked training resources, and the last active officer resigned.
• The Virginia State Police are investigating the police department, but details of the inquiry have not been publicly released.
• Scott County Sheriff’s Office and state law enforcement will provide public safety services while the town seeks to rebuild its force.
WEBER CITY, VA — Weber City’s police department was left with no sworn officers this week after the Town Council voted unanimously to fire its police chief and a sergeant, and the remaining active officer resigned amid staffing issues.
Council members met in closed session before the vote to fire Chief Donald Harding III and the unnamed sergeant for violations of town policy, officials said. The town has not released specifics on the policy violations.
Earlier in the month, two additional officers were dismissed because the department lacked the resources to train them, Mayor Justin Addington said. With the last active officer’s resignation, no personnel remain to staff the municipal police force.
The Virginia State Police are conducting an ongoing investigation related to the department, but officials have not provided additional details.
In the interim, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office and state law enforcement agencies will provide public safety coverage for Weber City as the town works to recruit new officers and rebuild its police department.