By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — The dismissal letter for former Salisbury Police evidence custodian Jeffrey Emerson provides little new information.
In a letter from Police Chief Rory Collins, Collins told Emerson his employment with the city of Salisbury “will terminate at the close of business on July 6, 2011.”
The letter cited policy 301.3 as the violated policy. The policy states, “Members are to observe and obey all laws, ordinances, rules, and directives applicable to their position.”
Emerson was fired after being put on leave for nearly a month and a half while Salisbury Police conducted an internal investigation for “cash accounting irregularities within the department’s evidence storage room,” a press release stated.
An SBI investigation was requested by Collins and Rowan County District Attorney Brandy Cook. In response to questioning about the investigation, Cook responded in an email, saying simply, “It is ongoing.”
An internal audit and investigation took place after Emerson was placed on leave. The review, conducted by authorities from outside the Salisbury Police Department, uncovered the violations.
“As a result of these findings, Mr. Emerson’s employment with the Salisbury Police Department has been terminated,” Collins wrote.
Emerson had been a civilian employee at the department since 1997. He was appointed to an evidence custodian position in 2006.
Contact reporter Nathan Hardin at 704-797-4246.