CHADBOURN — Police Chief Ken Elliott said Saturday that members of the Chadbourn Town Council attempted to remove him during an emergency meeting held earlier in the day, calling the effort unlawful and politically motivated. Elliott made the statements in two public Facebook videos posted after the meeting.
Elliott told residents he remains the town’s police chief, saying no action was taken in the closed session and that the council does not have the authority to fire him under state law or the town charter. In North Carolina, police chiefs are hired and dismissed by the town manager unless a charter grants the council that power.
“I am still your Chief of Police,” Elliott said in his first message to Chadbourn residents. “I will do everything that our Police Department is supposed to do to protect the citizens of this town.”
In a second, longer statement addressed to Columbus County residents, Elliott said the emergency meeting was called “in an attempt to fire me against state law and against the town’s charter.” He said the effort was connected to his candidacy for Columbus County sheriff.
Elliott alleged that Councilman Tony Jordan called two closed‑session meetings — one earlier in February and the emergency meeting held Saturday — and claimed the actions were influenced by outside political pressure. He also said he was previously instructed to change an answer he gave during a media interview, which he refused to do.
“I did not lie. I told the truth again, and this has set things in motion for them to have an insubordination accusation against me,” Elliott said. “Today that was defeated.”
Elliott said the council ultimately left the meeting without taking action and reiterated that he remains the town’s police chief.
The Town of Chadbourn has not released an official statement regarding the meeting, the purpose of the closed session, or Elliott’s claims. No resignation or termination documents have been posted publicly, and no updated agenda or minutes have been released.
This is a developing story, and additional information will be published as it becomes available.
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