Mooresville police chief denies allegations of hostile work environment

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — The Mooresville's police chief spoke Thursday night with local NAACP members at town hall meeting.

[NCAAP wants Mooresville leaders held accountable in police chief investigation]

Chief Damon Williams is on paid leave while investigators look into claims he created a hostile work environment.

"I want to tell you my integrity means a lot, and I love this community," Williams told those at  Reids Memorial Presbyterian Church, which is one of the oldest African American churches in the area.

Members of the African American community have been upset ever since Williams was put on administrative leave with pay in June.

He's the first black chief in this town's history.

Williams wasn't going to speak at the meeting, but the kids in one of his projects, STEP, wanted to hear from him.

The children said they were disappointed by the way he's been treated.

"To hear these kids speak that we made an impact,” Williams said. “It blows me away."

Williams denies there was a hostile environment in the Police Department.

"It's disappointing to know that some people who wear the badge would spread some untruths,” he said. “That's more disappointing to me than anything else."

The NAACP is fighting for Williams’ reinstatement. The civil rights organization conducted its own investigation and determined that some officers in the vice department had broken the rules and when the chief went to take corrective action, town officials retaliated against him.

"This has been very difficult for my wife, who is a big supporter for me, but I'm telling you, I'm OK. I'm gonna be OK," Williams said.

Channel 9 contacted town officials, who denied there has been any retaliation and said that because the investigation is ongoing, they could not talk about the issue.

Cox Media Group