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SALISBURY, NC — Controversy is brewing in Salisbury after the Chief of Police fired an officer Friday over a Facebook post.
The post doesn’t exist anymore, but it cost Officer Bill Torrence his job of 22 years.
“Facebook is nothing but a spybook, and everybody is getting off of it!” said Officer Torrence’s mother, Virginia Torrence.
She revealed the post was in reference to the riots in Ferguson.
“All he did was saw what was going on in Ferguson that night when they were burning police cars and burning businesses, and he worked for the police department,” said Virginia Torrence. “It upset him.”
William Peoples, a leader in many groups in the Salisbury community, recalls the post.
It was in reference to what was taking place in Ferguson, and a gun should be put to people’s head,” said Peoples.
Department administrators say Torrence’s comment was removed the same day. Now the entire page is gone.
Peoples pointed out that some could have considered his words racially insensitive.
“When you look at the atmosphere now, you try to stay away from stuff like that,” said Peoples.
“He did not mention race in that,” said Virginia Torrence. “There were white people involved in it along with the black.”
Police wouldn’t confirm what the post said. Their statement said in part:
“The inappropriate and inflammatory posting was made concerning current events taking place in our nation. The officer’s comment was highly contrary to the legal and appropriate manner in which officers are trained to handle these types of situations. Furthermore, his comments are not a representation of how the Salisbury Police Department feels that situations like those occurring should be handled.”
Chief Rory Collins sent Torrence a termination letter Friday citing this rule: “Employees shall not post any material on the Internet that brings discredit to or may adversely affect the efficiency or integrity of the Salisbury Police Department.”
WCCB Charlotte tried to reach Torrence for comment. He did not answer our knock at his door.
“I understand them being upset,” said Peoples. “And, I also understand that there are certain things in certain positions you can’t do or say.”
“He didn’t do anything but voice his opinion!” said Virginia Torrence.
The NAACP President told WCCB Charlotte, “If the allegations are true, then the city took the appropriate actions.
