At least 13 off-duty law enforcement officials are suspected of taking part in the riot, a tally that could grow as investigators continue to pore over footage and records to identify participants.
There’s been a notable break in the so-called “blue wall of silence,” an aspect of police culture that encourages officers to ignore misconduct by their peers.
A selfie of two Rocky Mount police officers inside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riots sparked a confrontation Monday night at the townâs municipal building.
Outside, critics of the officersâ actions shouted âSilence is violence!â and supporters of the officers shouted âFirst Amendment!â Inside, the Rocky Mount Town Council meeting, which could only be watched via livestream due to coronavirus crowd restrictions, proceeded with no public discussion of the officersâ fate.
âI understand this is a very significant issue for our community but the Town is required to provide a due process based inquiry,â Town Manager James Ervin wrote Tuesday in an email.
Residents concerned that two Rocky Mount officers were inside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection faced off with supporters of the officers outside a town council meeting Monday.