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Resident alleges misconduct by Tazewell officers during public comment
Summary
A resident used the public comment period to allege police negligence, misconduct and unequal enforcement related to two March incidents; the comment prompted council attention and a note that the chief earlier labeled the first complaint 'unfounded.'
During the meeting’s public comment period, Nicholas Richmond (S14) accused local officers of misconduct and unequal treatment following two incidents in March. Richmond said he called to report a violation of an emergency protective order and that he was later arrested while other attendees were not.
“My purpose this evening is to address 2 incidents that occurred March, along with police negligence, misconduct, entrapment, and impediment of my first, fourth, fifth, eighth, ninth, tenth, and fourteenth amendments,” Richmond said, recounting interactions with officer Matthew S. Peery and later contact with a magistrate arranged by the sheriff’s department. He told council he had been in contact with the police chief and the town manager but said that the chief described his initial complaint as “unfounded.”
Council did not take immediate action in the meeting excerpt but accepted the comment into the public record. Staff and council members present noted that the sheriff’s office had arranged for a magistrate appearance and that two people were later charged; council asked staff about next steps and how residents can get follow‑up on complaints.
Next steps: The council did not announce a formal inquiry during the session; councilors and staff said they would follow internal complaint procedures and could refer matters to the appropriate oversight channels outside the council meeting record.
