SBI investigating concerns over HPD’s past handling of evidence

HAMLET — The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is investigating alleged mishandling of evidence by the Hamlet Police Department following an internal audit conducted upon the arrival of the department’s new police chief in April which uncovered “irregularities.”

Anjanette Grube, director of public information for the SBI, confirmed in an email that Hamlet Police Chief Dennis Brown and District Attorney Reece Saunders requested on May 10 that the SBI investigate “allegations of altering, destroying, stealing or misappropriation of evidence involving the Hamlet Police Department.”

“The investigation remains ongoing,” Grube said, adding that there are too many variables to give an accurate timeline of how long the investigation will take.

Grube and Brown declined to comment on the nature of the alleged issues with the department’s handling of evidence. No disciplinary action has been taken against any HPD staff member, according to Brown.

“Our internal auditing procedures have discovered irregularities in how some evidence has been handled in the past,” Brown said. “Upon discovery of that, we coordinated our efforts with the SBI who is going to explore and investigate any and all irregularities.”

Saunders declined to comment on the investigation, but confirmed Friday that he “made a request” that the SBI look into the audit’s findings.

Brown began his role in early April of this year and said he was compelled to begin the audit due to taking on his new position.

“It’s best practice for a chief to come in and analyze high liability areas,” he said. “Evidence is obviously one of those high liability areas that need to be really observed analyzed and then discover where we’re at and where we need to go.”

“We are grateful and thankful for the assistance that the SBI has provided in this collaborative effort to provide the best level service to residents of Hamlet,” Brown continued.

Hamlet City Manager Matthew Christian said the city and HPD are “partnering” with the SBI on the investigation.

“We appreciate the support of the SBI and fully support our partnership,” Christian said, adding that the city and SBI “have the same goal.”