Richmond County Daily Journal - Rockingham, Hamlet NC - News, Sports, Classifieds, Business, Events, Richmond County

Former Police Chief John Haywood

Emotions were high at the September meeting of the Hamlet City Council on Tuesday night as a crowd of people packed into City Hall to protest the firing of former Hamlet Police Chief John Haywood.

Haywood was dismissed from his position last Friday, but Hamlet Mayor Jeff Smart declined to give an explanation of the police chief’s termination at the meeting.

“There are certain things the law doesn’t require us to talk about, including a personnel issue such as this,” Smart said in the meeting. “North Carolina General Statute does allow me and (council members) to express why termination takes place. Personally, out of respect for John Haywood, that will not be done … out of respect for him, out of respect for his family, and out of respect for his future employers.

“If John wants that out, it’s up to him … ,” he said. “I’m not happy that this happened while I am mayor … There is nobody else in this world that wants him to be police chief more than me, but sometimes we have to make difficult decisions, and that one has been made. We had a personal discussion about it, and I’ll leave it at that.”

Several phone messages left for Haywood by the Daily Journal on Tuesday were not returned, including one made late after the city council meeting.

During the meeting, several members of the community spoke out about the issue.

Bill Horne approached the microphone and said he was extremely dismayed and disappointed at how things have gone down.

“For four years I sat on that side of the table,” Horne said as he addressed council members, “so I know how it feels. But I do not care for the way this situation has transpired, with the dismissal of Officer Veach and Chief Haywood … There is no way this could not have been handled a different way. Somebody has got to step up, show some backbone and do the right thing.”

The council also heard from former chief Haywood’s brother, Matthew Haywood.

“I just want him to have his job back,” Matthew said. “He’s a good man and he’s done so much for Richmond County. I don’t know what happened or why he got fired, but I just want him to have his job back.”

Just before the council motioned to go into a closed session, Hannah Haywood Richardson, the former chief’s sister, approached the microphone. Richardson emotionally expressed her disappointment and accused Mayor Smart of lying about having a personal discussion with her brother, to which Smart confirmed that he indeed had.

Tension was high for the next few moments as Richardson and Smart continued to speak over one another loudly before Richardson eventually spoke her final words, turned and exited the room.

Later during the meeting, City Manager Marchell David announced that Captain Amery Griffin has been appointed as the Acting Chief for the Hamlet Police Department.

“The City of Hamlet will not have a lapse in coverage,” David said in response to a safety concern voiced by an earlier attendee. “Public safety will not be affected.”

Just prior to going into closed session, the Daily Journal asked Smart who was responsible for firing Haywood. His answer: the city manager.

In other action, the board:

• Heard from several city members in the Beelar Avenue and Briarwood area who expressed concerns about their neighborhood’s safety due to dangerous dogs, rock damage and broken curbs. Residents requested that the area be monitored by law enforcement more frequently, and that some action be taken on sidewalk construction in the area.

• Recognized Boy Scout Troop 527 of Fellowship United Methodist Church, which attended the council meeting to help earn a communications badge.

• Heard from Cynthia Carter with Legal Aid of North Carolina who announced that two new local attorneys will be working to tackle rural poverty in Richmond County. Legal Aid Staff Attorney David Richardson introduced Kaitlyn A. Girard and Meghan Melo to the council and community members in attendance.

• Heard a Mayoral Proclamation read by Smart in remembrance of famous jazz musician John Coltrane, who was born in Hamlet.

• Acknowledged a Mayoral Proclamation by Smart of Sept. 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance for those who sacrificed or lost their lives after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

— Staff Writer Mallory Brown can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at mallorybrown@heartlandpublications.com.

Comments

(32)

mgoodwin25

September 27, 2012

I first met Mr. Haywood when I attended Monroe Avenue, he was the D.A.R.E officer that went around and talked to kids about drug use. He is one of the best men you will ever meet. Not only has he put his life on the line to protect the citizens of hamlet but also the people he is around no matter where he is. He would give you the shirt off of his back and the last dime in his pocket to make sure you didn't have to go without. He has been been a family friend for sometime now and an outstanding police officer, husband, and father who doesn't care about the finer things in life (money, cars, and clothes like some of our other city and county representatives ) but being a great father and friend. I couldn't think of another person to be more qualified for Hamlet Police Chief than John Haywood. The city of Hamlet has lost a great person and soon enough they will realize that.

Matt Goodwin

roosterrolltide

September 16, 2012

First of all, the topic isn't about where the City Manager chooses to live. The topic is the firing of Police Chief John Haywood. He admitted he did'nt go through the appropriate channels, but there was no money missing from these transactions, and all the receipts were accounted for. He has spent the last twenty years with Hamlet Police Department, and worked his way up the ranks and appointed the position of Police Chief. He has never been written up, and has had a clean record. I've known John personally and professonally for over 35 years and he has always been an outstanding friend, husband, and father. There's no question of his character. The question is why would Hamlet allow the City Manager to fire the Police Chief before the SBI had finish their investigation. If they had found the Chief involved with any wrong doing then the firing of the Chief would have be justified. Why wasn't he allowed to be investigated before he was fired??????????

concernedcitizen02

September 15, 2012

realdeal24 , you are quite ignorant. if you do your research she owns land and pays taxes in hamlet & she chooses to live in rockingham in a rather nice house, don't be jealous because she can afford the finer things and you can not. She is doing a swell job as City Manager and people like you are the ones that push her to do just that .

worldspinsmadlyon

I can assure you that right now no one is jealous of city manager David. Not anyone in their right mind would want to have the things being said about her said about them. I don't think jealousy has anything to do with the feelings be felt by the citizens of Hamlet and Richmond co. And if you don't think that people can live in big fine homes and be more miserable than a person living in a cardboard box you better think again. Money and big house won't make you happy. Integrity and loving others MORE than yourself and your material things make you happy. And I say all that from my small house in a decent neighborhood with nothing but a smile on my face and absolute joy in my heart.

realdeal24

Concernedcitizen02...jealous of Marchell David, now that's some funny stuff right there!!! You really made me laugh out loud on that one!!! So you're saying she chooses to live in Rockingham because it's better than living in Hamlet??? She is the "so called" city manager of Hamlet...but it's not worth living in?!? What a poor excuse and a JOKE!! You are the real ignorant one!!!

RICO28345

September 14, 2012

Just saw news story on WSOC, so it's ok to appoint a felon to city council, but not give the Chief of Police a reprimand or a write up for a clerical administrative problem?!?! Way to go Town of Hamlet City Council, Mayor and Marchell....y'all know how to make an impression!

Knowthefacts07

*right

Everyone knows when money is involved, things are alot more sensitive...Money was taken in by the Police Department and not reported to the proper channels. Everything probably would have been okay if he would have just reported the money. Mrs. David probably would have let him use it for needed supplies for the department. It just looked as though he was hiding something. Plus the cars that were scraped were running vehicles. I would like to buy running vehicles for 400 dollars. John is a great person, but that doesn't matter when something is done wrong on a job. My boss would fire me if i kept company money without telling her and using it to buy things for our office. It's just not write. Mrs. David had a tough decision to make and she made it. And if you know Mrs. David, he has tried to buy land in Hamlet for years in certain neighborhoods to build a house and no one has ever accepted one of her offers. Where do you expect her to live? South Hamlet? She would be safier moving to the middle east. I feel bad for all involved.

She has tried to buy land in Hamlet, what a joke!! There are plenty of homes for sale in Hamlet and in great areas!! What a poor excuse for not living within the city limits of Hamlet!!! I think I just vomited in my mouth!!

There are at LEAST two dozen properties in city limits in great neighborhoods for sale now, that have been for sale for a LOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG time!!!! Regarding anyone "accepting" one of her offers, that sounds like a bit of a falsehood. You go back and forth making bids on property. There is PLENTY of nice property out there. In fact, she can buy my house!

Also, Marchell requested of City Council permission to build a home in Rockingham years ago. For some asinine reason, permission was granted.

Loyalcitizen

September 13, 2012

Again, people are quick to point the finger. Read the article that was just posted tonight and see for yourself. Chief Haywood admits to not reporting the items accurately. It sounds to me Officer Veach and Chief Haywood were in this thing together. Why would you take funds, place them in your office, purchase something for your personal benefit, and not report it? Ohhh, I know why!!! It's not right! Sounds like Chief Haywood needs to be mad with Officer Veach instead of Marchelle David. Then again, that would break up the buddy/buddy system that is so prevalent in Richmond County. Mishandling funds is just another way to rephrase STEALING and it sure seems shaky to me.

Kimbella

afbrower there is alot of honorable men in Richmond County and just because they are honorable doesn't mean they can do wrong and get away with it. Wrong is wrong and right is right, if that wasn't the case then everyone should go around doing what they want on a job and no one not saying a word about it. Ane PLEASE don't go blaming the City Manager for some one else faults, all she was doing is her job & if we had more people with backbone like her it's alot of others that would be without a job, don't knock her for handling hers. Also before you throw a scripture out at someone please remember to not put God in no mess, God is all about the right way not wrong so think before you speak/write or whatever. It appears you need to get to know God a little better. And a final notice to you afbrower, I'd advise Haywood to go farther than Rockingham because it's just as corrupt over there as it is at any law enforcement & where ever he go he needs to make sure that he abide by the laws because he is not above it, now love on that.

chrismaloney12

So what "law" was broken? I don't think doing something that was considered not going by the "proper channels" is the same thing as breaking a law. It means it wasn't done by the city manager's rules. There is always something bad going on in the City of Hamlet and there is always one common denominator: Marchell David. Most towns our size don't have the problems that we do. And as a citizen of Hamlet, I can't "love on that".

The city of Hamlet has been the laughing stock of Richmond County for several years now and it all leads back to Mrs. David, she needs to go!!! Kimbella, you truly have been misinformed and know not what you are speaking about!! You are one of the many that don't know the whole story and want to put your 2 cent worth in!! You sound ignorant and please proof read your writing before you post...now love on that!!!

heyyougetoffofmycloud

Wow.....mouthpiece, much? I don't think this has anything to do with bone structure. Scripture was not quoted....it was paraphrased. AND are you implying that Sheriff Clemmons and Chief Kelly are anything but the honorable men we've seen them to be and that they would not hold their men to the same standard? I thought law enforcement's job was to deal with the crime in our city and counties. That would mean criminals not law abiding citizens who don't steal, cheat, and lie. Oh wait, we probably all do that every day that we go to work and don't spend a full 8,10, or 12 hours actually working. You are correct in saying she handled HER business, not the business of the city of Hamlet. Hopefully, more of her business will come to light and we'll see if the Mayor of our fair city and the elected officials of Hamlet City Council will have enough backbone to invite her to leave.

chrismaloney12 he was wrong for doing what he did enough said, don't matter if you don't love on it, so please move on and get a life.

realdeal24/fakedeal24 I do know that RIGHT IS RIGHT AND WRONG IS WRONG, so please don't get an ugly attitude with me and call me ignorant because Marchell David was doing her job, you don't sound ignorant you are ignorant and you need to watch your mouth when you are commenting on something I posted because I wasn't even directing it to you but now I am. Also for your information I'm not posting a comment and getting a grade on it so if there was a error the heck with it, you responded back to it so evidently you understood it & it doesn't matter if you don't love on that.

heyyougetoffofmycloud there is no need for you to wish bad luck on people, it just might backfire on you. And I didn't imply directly to a specific person ok so get it right. At the end of the day it don't matter how much we go back and forth commenting on this situation, it is what it is and right is right and wrong is wrong, so all you evil, negative, racist, hating people need to get over it. Ain't nobody got time for that( In my Sweet Brown voice).

GetACluePeople

September 12, 2012

Perhaps the people would've protested the termination of Officer Veach had the paper published it instead of reporting that "no action was taken" as a result of that meeting.....Perhaps if city employees were not placed under gag orders and termination threatened to each of them, their voices would be heard.....Perhaps any government that is set up in such a way that an appeal to termination goes directly back to the desk that demanded it will eventually result in corruption...Perhaps the current SBI investigation will in fact reveal the truth in the handling of city funds....Perhaps city council and the mayor act based solely on the information provided to them by their beloved city manager without ever bothering to seek any information on their own....Perhaps council and the mayor never question the underlying motives of said city manager...Perhaps the council and mayor simply do not care that said city manager is picking apart the city's infrastructure much like the tactics of a sniper....Perhaps Officer Veach and Chief Haywood will display the testicular fortitude to sue for blatant wrongful termination....Perhaps the city has suffered enough under City Manager David's reign of terror before she dismantles the fire department as well...Perhaps if you give a calf enough rope....

Perhaps the termination of Officer Veach would've been protested if the paper would've published it instead of reporting that there was no action taken the night of that meeting.....Perhaps any government that allows the appeal of termination to return directly to the source of the termination will eventually end in corruption....perhaps the SBI investigation will reveal the true facts of the handling of city funds....Perhaps council members and the mayor act based solely on the information provided to them by their beloved city manager and never bother themselves with fact finding of their own....Perhaps the council and mayor never question the underlying motives of said city manager....Perhaps the council and mayor care so little that one individual with far too much power picks off an entire police department much like a sniper....Perhaps the council and mayor need to check themselves before they wreck themselves along with the entire city's infrastructure....Perhaps people should be informed before making ignorant statements..... Perhaps if city employees weren't threatened with termination if they discussed any city matters they would give their opinions.....Perhaps Chief Haywood and Officer Veach have enough testicular fortitude to stand up for their own rights and sue for wrongful termination.....Perhaps Hamlet has suffered enough under City Manager David's reign of terror before she dismantles the fire department as well.....Perhaps if you give a calf enough rope

afbrower

This is an outrageous misuse of the power that is given to a City Manager.For those who work in and around law enforcement and the court system, John Haywood is absolutely and without a doubt one of he most honorable men in Richmond County. Is he a perfect and without fault, absolutely not. Only one man was perfect and he no longer walks the earth in human form. Does John Haywood make mistakes? I would argue that without a doubt, I believe he does. Does what he has done require or justify a firing? ABSOLUTELY NOT !!!!! Should he have or could he have had a punishment that more fit the crime? Without a doubt. A more fitting punishment would have been for him to be suspended WITH pay pending an investigation by an outsider, such as the SBI, and Marchelle David....You should have stepped out of the way and let that be done. A clean investigation of the allegations and an outcome justified by that outside source would have most definitely been better for everyone involved. And to Mayor Smart Thank GOD, I live in Rockingham and don't ever have to see your name on my ballots. One final word to City Manager Marchelle David...Let he who is without sin cast the first stone....I do hope that your nose clean and everything that you have ever done as the City Manager of Hamlet, NC, has been on the up and up and that nothing you have ever done or will ever do can be questionable. And if it hasn't, you might want to start clearing out your office, because what goes around comes around. One final word to John Haywood....Come to Rockingham and work in law enforcement. We'll absolutely love you to death over here....WE ALREADY DO !!!!!

Oh gee golly, someone in this crooked county has finally got caught. Don't be mad at Mrs. David because she did her job! You need to be mad at Chief Haywood for misusing your funds regardless of if she stays in Hamlet or not. People are so quick to point the finger on other people when their not the person in fault. Since the beginning of this story, I knew something untruthful was going on from the very start. Just like The Vorhees situation in Rockingham, Haywood should've resigned before he was put out. Lastly, if he was in Law Enforcement for 20 years and can run a department the size of Hamlet, then it's obvious he has been running it untruthful for years realdeal24. No one gets fired from a position of this statue unless they are doing something under handed. The last time I check, and I work for a Fortune 500 Company, if you do not take things through the proper channel, especially funds, then you are on the grounds for termination. Their fired, move on, and accept it like other city leaders have in the past. Now run and tell that

ballin17

My question is why is everyone making a big deal of him getting fired. I havent seen any concern towards any other officer getting fired.

Maybe its because he is a man with 20 years of law enforcement experience and is well thought of, unlike an animal control person who is probably mad that Chief Haywood wouldn't hire him.

chrismaloney12, your statement is probably 100% true!! Some people just ain't cut out to be the REAL police, and I'm sure Chief Haywood figured that out!!

skip83

Amen realdeal24.

grits2371

This is very sad to hear. Its not townhall's fault that Mr. Haywood was fired, he obviously has done something that would provoke this, although I cannot understand why he would not want the public to hear his side of the story especially if so many people showed up at a council meeting to defend him. Does he have something to hide? Are the rumors that are now speading around this close-nit "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" town? There have been many Richmond county law enforcement officers that have been corrupt and many who have not been fired because they didnt get caught or someone had their backs. No one is above the law, but dont think that the law cant be below it. And why isnt anyone defending officer Veach, as he got fired along with his colleague? That town is too close-nit, and loves its gossip, you just have to pick which story you want to believe.

Michael Veach should have never been fired in the first place. Hamlet has lost two of the best law enforcement officers money can buy.

This is very sad for the city of Hamlet!! I believe there is a deeper issue than what is going on with Chief Haywood! The Chief is appointed by the city manager and the city council and when they don't let him do the job like he sees fit, that's a problem!! Mrs. David has too much power, the citizens of Hamlet deserve better and should get on the same page and have her REMOVED!!! Hamlet Police Dept. has lost many employees to other local agencies in the past couple years, and Mrs. David is a big reason why!! Mrs. David doesn't even live within the city limits of Hamlet, she pays NO city taxes, that's a problem!!! Hamlet deserves much better!! Are the city council members doing their job by keeping her in that position?? Maybe some of those guys need to be removed also!! Be careful casting stones at Chief Haywood, if you don't know the whole story, both sides, then keep your mouth shut!!

Well You can not blame Mrs.David for what he has done. Yes she needs to be gone but dont blame her for his mistakes. I have always been told what goes around comes around and in this situation it did.

I'm not blaming townhall! I never said that Chief Haywood didn't do something wrong either!! I was making a point that more changes need to be done with city hall!! NO one is above the law, including law enforcement!! If you are Chief, then be the Chief and don't let others influence your decisions!! Chief Haywood has been in law enforcement for almost 20yrs and I'm sure he is fully capable of running a department the size of Hamlet!! The city manager has too much of a say so in the police departments operations!!! Have a nice day everyone!!

mypethorse

This is truly sad. I think there needs to be some changes in townhall!!!!

I think people get what they deserve. Dont blame townhall for his mistakes just because he is the Police Chief dosent mean he is exempt from the law.

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