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City officials respond to accusations of corruption


{p}The North Carolina Police Benevolent Association is calling for an investigation into whether Asheville leaders pressured departing chief Chris Bailey to go along with a controversial policy. (Photo credit: WLOS staff){/p}

The North Carolina Police Benevolent Association is calling for an investigation into whether Asheville leaders pressured departing chief Chris Bailey to go along with a controversial policy. (Photo credit: WLOS staff)

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Update: City officials responded in an e-mail Saturday saying, "The City is aware of the letter and will absolutely cooperate with an investigation if there is one."

The North Carolina Police Benevolent Association is calling for an investigation into whether Asheville leaders pressured departing chief Chris Bailey to go along with a controversial policy.

In a letter to Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams, the agency also asks for prosecution of acts of public corruption.

The policy the letter referred to required officers to get written consent for searches during traffic stops when the officer has no probable cause.

The letter, sent just two days after Bailey's resignation was announced, accuses the city of harming public safety and law enforcement.

The North Carolina Police Benevolent Association said the written consent policy violates the rights of law enforcement.

"We perceive that the chief may have been subjected to inappropriate pressures in connection with a municipal consent search policy that would violate the statutory and constitutional rights of Asheville law enforcement officers and their safety," the letter reads in part.

The PBA wants “an investigation and prosecution for a course of public corruption actions that has been harmful to public safety, the law enforcement community and our membership.”

PBA executive director John Midgette, who signed the letter, said changes were made to the original policy.

“What we had worked out with the city, unbeknownst to the chief, apparently, was crossed out, and changed without either the chief’s knowledge of what we had worked to come to an agreement with the city. And, that, specifically, involved officers having discretion in stops where their safety was at play. And safety concerns for the officer, if there were criminal indicators, that would deter the officer from having the form signed,” Midgette said.

Bailey said in an earlier interview with News 13 that Asheville city manager Debra Campbell specifically asked him before he was hired if he would be able to support such a search policy. At the time, Bailey said he would. But recently, Bailey said in crafting the policy he needed to talk more with fellow officers to make sure they would support the policy.

The agency's letter also said someone who had access Bailey's personnel file leaked information from it to the media. News 13 has not been able to confirm what that information was.

The PBA said in its letter it thinks Bailey would cooperate with an inquiry. The PBA also wants an investigation into confidential personnel information illegally leaked from Bailey’s file to the media.

City officials responded in an e-mail Saturday saying, "The City is aware of the letter and will absolutely cooperate with an investigation if there is one."

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