SPENCER, W.Va. — Members of the Roane County Commission are handcuffed to take any action involving the county’s embattled sheriff-elect.
Bo Williams, the recently resigned Spencer police officer, was elected by the county’s voters last month. But since the election he’s become the subject of an investigation into allegations of evidence tampering in the Spencer Police Department. Meanwhile, Williams checked himself into an out-of-state drug treatment center.
Tuesday, the Roane County Commission met to discuss their options with regard to the county’s chief law enforcement officer. They learned there is no action they can take right now, because Williams is not yet the sheriff.
“We received updates from our prosecuting attorney whose been in contact with other entities,” said Roane County Commission President Melissa O’Brien. “Currently there’s no action we could take it would have to happen after Jan. 1.”
O’Brien admitted the best thing which could happen would be for Williams to resign. So far, that hasn’t happened.
“We’d like to see a resignation occur,but if that doesn’t happen we’ll get a new commissioner after the first of the year and the three commissioners will look at all of the information presented to us,” she said. “Potentially we could start the resolution process to remove the sheriff-elect from office if we do not receive a resignation.”
It’s put the county into a difficult positions, but she added the duties of the sheriff’s department are getting done, O’Brien said.
“Fortunately our current Sheriff Todd Cole has many years experience and it a great leader whose trying to keep spirits high and unity up aomong the force,” said O’Brien. “We have a great group of deputies and they are continuing to do their regular work.”