PRINCETON, WV : Mercer deputies back on crash duty on Sunday, October, 8th 2017
Mercer County Sheriff Tommy Bailey has rescinded a recently implemented policy that prevented deputies from responding to motor vehicle accidents, officials said Sunday.
“Sheriff Bailey made the decision early this afternoon to rescind the order,” Chief Deputy Joe Parks said.
The policy was implemented Friday due to a personnel shortage, Parks told the Daily Telegraph at that time.
Mercer County Commissioner Greg Puckett said Sunday that he has spoken with Bailey and the sheriff is working with other agencies to ensure public safety.
“I have spoken with the sheriff and he has confirmed that he is continuing to work with the State Police and other local authorities to provide quality, comprehensive enforcement and security to our communities,” Puckett said.
“In a time when our dispatchers are struggling to deal with a magnitude of issues they face daily, we must prioritize how we respond to calls,” Puckett said, adding that the county wants to be “more accountable.”
“We look forward to working with the sheriff to resolve the situation,” Puckett said.
Responding to Friday’s announcement by the sheriff’s department, State Police First Sgt. R.A. Maddy, district commander of Mercer and McDowell counties, said, “We’re going to do whatever we can to ensure the people have adequate law enforcement protection until this issue is resolved.
“We’re going to continue to do our job as State Police,” Maddy said.
At least four motor vehicle accidents were reported in Mercer County Saturday night and Sunday.
The overnight accidents involved a DUI in the Lerona area and a suspected hit-and-run on Twelve-Mile Road, Maddy said. Two accidents occurred Sunday shortly before 6 p.m. One involved an overturned tractor-trailer on Interstate 77 and the second was a single-vehicle accident on Beeson Road.
The issue of the manpower shortage is expected to be addressed at the next County Commission meeting Tuesday at 10 a.m.
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Mercer deputies back on crash duty