North Carolina Police Chief Fired Over Misconduct for Requesting Captain’s Wife’s Nude Pictures
New details have emerged surrounding the October termination of a North Carolina police chief, highlighting allegations of misconduct, dishonesty, and inappropriate behavior.
According to reports, former Mars Hill police chief Michael Clark faced termination after allegedly soliciting nude photos from a captain’s wife on Snapchat.
Mars Hill town manager Nathan Bennett revealed that Clark’s request was made twice, with the captain’s wife choosing not to respond with any photographs.
In a letter dated October 16, Bennett expressed his strong disapproval, saying, “Your conduct in attempting to pursue a romantic relationship with the wife of one of your subordinate officers is reprehensible. To actively solicit that relationship is unforgivable and puts your entire Department and the town of Mars Hill at risk.”
The town manager launched an independent investigation into Clark’s actions within the police department when Bennett received screenshots of the texts from the North Carolina captain. It is reported that Clark admitted sending the inappropriate messages when Bennett questioned him. Bennett then identified Clark’s dishonesty as a primary justification for his termination.
North Carolina Investigation Unveils Concerns
Bennett emphasized Clark’s blatant insubordination, citing his attempt to immediately communicate with department members and victims of his alleged misconduct after being confronted.
The town manager also criticized Clark’s handling of firearms in his office, stating that they were not secured in a safe place, contrary to standard gun safety practices, even though they were unloaded.
The North Carolina investigation revealed not just the improper texts but also Clark’s private use of the town-provided car for official police duties and worries about the unsafe storage of weapons in his office.
The terminated police chief has remained unreachable for comment, while Bennett has chosen not to provide additional comments on the matter.
This incident underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies when dealing with internal misconduct, emphasizing the importance of accountability and maintaining public trust in policing institutions.
