Samburg Police Chief Credentials
This video is no longer available.
The town of Samburg in Obion County was without its only police officer, because the mayor was advised by the state officials to lay-off their only part-time officer due to complaints that James Hack was not certified. The Samburg Mayor admitted Thursday that the whole thing was his fault. He said he did not have the correct papers on file required by the state to have a part-time officer, but is confident, Samburg’s police officer would be back on the streets soon. Samburg Mayor, Larry Davis, said he was shocked to get a phone call Monday morning, raising questions about his only part-time police officer. “I didn’t have some things on file and they advised me to lay James Hack off until we got the correct files that we needed on hand,” stated Mayor Davis. He said the POST Commission, or Peace Officers and Training Commission said Hack did not have the proper paperwork on file to allow him to enforce the law. “Up until today, I’ve got everything that the post commission asked me to get, and all we lack is a couple appointments for a physical and psychological report,” said Mayor Davis. According to the mayor and Obion County deputies, Hack was a certified police officer and did nothing wrong. “A part-time officer in the state of Tennessee has to meet the same requirements as any full-time officer, minus having to go to the state police academy,” said Chief Deputy, Kent Treece. Chief Deputy Treece added that part-time officers, like Hack, were allowed to enforce all laws, but could only work 20 hours per week. “People think I hired them an impersonating police officer, but I assure you that he is legal by the POST Commission rules,” said Mayor Davis. The mayor said all missing files would be sent to the POST and said they are anxious to have Hack back patrolling their streets. Obion County Sheriff deputies said they would patrol Samburg and handle all calls until officer Hack returned to duty.
