NC Police Chief Fails Gun Test, Loses Badge

Thomas Bennett turn on his police lights, make a traffic stop
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 11, 2012 11:46 AM CDT
NC Police Chief Fails Gun Test, Loses Badge
No more running, weapon drawn, for Thomas Bennett (not pictured).   (Getty Images)

The police chief of a North Carolina town has been prohibited from carrying a badge and gun because he can't shoot straight. Thomas Bennett was suspended as a law enforcement officer after failing his recent annual firearms qualification exam. He has been police chief in Richlands, near the Atlantic coast, since 1999 and plans to retire in July. Bennett's suspended certification also means he cannot turn on the blue lights on a police cruiser or make a traffic stop.

Bennett, who has apparently asked to take the test again, seems to have a glass-half-full attitude: He says he is still able to perform job duties related to managing the police department. (More police chiefs stories.)

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