Oakboro police chief clears probationary period
Published 3:53 pm Monday, June 27, 2022
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After accusations arose months ago about his alleged involvement with a possible fake COVID vaccination clinic, Oakboro Police Chief T.J. Smith was suspended for two weeks without pay and put on a six-month probationary period.
T.J. Smith
According to Oakboro Town Manager Doug Burgess, that period ended June 21 after he was disciplined by the town in December 2021.
The accusations placed Smith on unpaid leave and probation for “detrimental personal conduct including notifying law enforcement officers to attend a ‘clinic’ where they would be able to obtain proof of COVID-19 vaccination cards without being vaccinated,” according to a letter issued in December by Burgess.
The Stanly News & Press attempted to speak with Smith, but he declined to comment.
Smith has been Oakboro’s police chief since August 2016.
About Charles Curcio
Charles Curcio has served as the sports editor of the Stanly News & Press for more than 16 years and has written numerous news and feature storeis as well. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He has also won an award from Boone Newspapers, and has won four North Carolina Press Association awards.
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