Two Rocky Mount Officers on Leave After Storming U.S. Capitol, Federal Authorities Notified

ROCKY MOUNT – Two Rocky Mount Police officers are on administrative leave after allegedly attending a rally-turned-riot at the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday. Five people were killed in the riot.

It is unclear what part the officers played in the events last Wednesday. A news release stated federal authorities have been contacted.

In a statement, the RMPD says the two officers, who were off duty at the time, are being placed on administrative leave while the matter is reviewed.

Facebook screenshots of posts made by one of the officers began circulating over the weekend. In one picture, both of the Rocky Mount officers are seen posing apparently inside the Capitol.

“The Rocky Mount Police Department is aware that two off-duty officers were present at an event in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. The Town of Rocky Mount fully supports all lawful expressions of freedom of speech and assembly by its employees but does not condone the unlawful acts that occurred that day.

Based on the available information, the Police Department has notified federal authorities and the individuals that were present at the event are on administrative leave pending review,” the statement from the department reads.

At least one of the Rocky Mount officers on leave was photographed this last summer, holding signs of support for the Franklin County Chapter of Black Lives Matter.

The local BLM planned an impromptu protest Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at the Rocky Mount Police Department, according to the group’s Facebook Page.

Cable 12 obtained screenshots of Facebook posts from one of the officers, one of which said the next steps to take “would not be pretty”.

This is a developing story. Stay with Cable 12 for more information. The author, Jamey Singleton is a private contractor (meteorologist) with the town of Rocky Mount.