From the Gaston Gazette (3/16/11): Belmont's former police chief received a suspension last May, but public record laws don't require the city to give the reason for his suspension.
Police Chief David James retired as of March 1 and declined to comment on the suspension. He now works security for Mesa Air at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
City Manager Barry Webb said the reason for James’ suspension is part of his personnel file and not public record so he couldn’t comment.
Even with recently adopted upgrades to North Carolina’s Public Records Law, the state’s legal requirements for openness in government do not compare well to states such as Florida and Georgia, where the entire personnel file of a public employee is open for public inspection.
Webb also declined to say the length of James’ suspension and whether it was paid or unpaid.