BAILEY, N.C. — The town of Bailey and a K-9 police officer have reached an undisclosed settlement.
The police department placed K-9 officer Evan Sokolove on leave for what he believes was retaliation for whistleblowing and cooperating with an investigation into Police Chief Cathy Callahan.
Sokolove said Callahan had been filling out timecards that reflected more hours than she'd actually worked – and that he was not credited for the hours he had been working.
On Oct. 28, Town Administrator Joel Killion asked Sokolove to submit a statement about Callahan's timecards. Despite Callahan allegedly telling him not to say anything that would implicate her, Sokolove ultimately decided to cooperate with the investigation.
Sokolove said town leaders told him that he would soon be named acting police chief in Bailey. However, on Nov. 3, Sokolove said the town suddenly placed him on paid leave. He believes it's retaliation for his statement.
Sokolove is no longer on adminstrative leave and is back to active duty. However, he decided to move on with another law enforcement agency, leaving the Bailey Police Department behind.
On Wednesday, Sokolove told WRAL News that he is happy with the settlement.
“It is a situation that has deeply affected my family and I,” Sokolove said. “And, we are happy that it has come to a successful resolution. It was a very agonizing month or so for us.”
Sokolove did not say which law enforcement agency he will be working for, but he will be staying in North...
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