Columbus County Sheriff's Office suspended from accessing military-grade equipment

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) -The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office now is suspended from accessing military-grade equipment through a federal surplus program.The North Carolina Department of Public Safety State Law Enforcement Support Services (LESS) officially suspended the sheriff’s office from the 1033 military equipment program for at least 60 days, according to a Dec. 16 statement from the LESS State Coordinator Gregory Weavil to Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Captain Dustin Fowler. The 1033 surplus program is a national program that allows local law enforcement agencies to request and access military-grade equipment, from trucks and helicopters to riot shields.Weavil noted he was made aware of “racist and incendiary comments” by Sheriff-elect Jody Greene during his first term in office. District Attorney Jon David then filed a petition to remove Greene from his position. Greene later resigned, but continued campaigning and weeks later was reelected as sheriff.“Mr. Greene’s statements and alleged conduct reflected in the amended petition and sworn affidavits are deeply troubling and do not reflect the values and mission of the LESS Office or the Department of Public Safety,” Weavil said in his letter to the sheriff’s office.Weavil said participants in the program are expected to abide by federal anti-discrimination laws like
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