Emerald Isle police officer on administrative leave following social media post

EMERALD ISLE, N.C. (WITN) - An Emerald Isle police officer has been placed on administrative leave following a social media post on the officer’s personal account.

Emerald Isle Town Manager Frank Rush says the officer involved is Travis Carroll.

The town says the post by Carroll is not connected to the official social media platforms of the Emerald Isle Police Department or the Town of Emerald Isle. They say the post is not condoned by the Emerald Isle Police Department or the Town of Emerald Isle in any way.

The police department has not specified what Carroll wrote, but a post on Facebook that appears to be from Carroll reads, “I think perhaps you’re not seeing the other side of it. When Nancy Pelosi’s husband got attacked and hospitalized in his home, Republicans were laughing high fiving and doing backflips, hell, it wasn’t just two months ago they were laughing and high giving about feeding immigrants to alligators. Who were ALSO fathers, mothers, and brothers. Not to mention Charlie being openly racist. So you can imagine, while the act is horrific, certainly he ain’t really winning in the empathy department.”

Emerald Isle Police Chief Michael Panzarella said, “I am committed to ensuring that all concerns are reviewed promptly and fairly. This matter is under investigation to determine the facts, origin, and motivation associated with the post, and whether its content is consistent with departmental standards and expectations. This matter will be addressed in a professional and impartial manner, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Emerald Isle Police Department, the Town of Emerald Isle, and federal and state law, while ensuring due process.”

We’ll update the story as we learn more.