Call to End Racism in the Macon County Sheriff’s Office

Macon County is the site of the most recent incident of apparent racism on the part of law enforcement in NC.

Submitted by the Jackson County NC NAACP Branch 54AB –

In tweets between a sheriff’s deputy and another person, later posted on Facebook and published on a local blog by a third party, Macon County Sheriff’s Deputy Stephanie Robbins tweeted to another person, “And if you want to get started you’re a white [“n-word”] wanna be!”

Although the slur in Robbins’s tweet is directed at a white person, it is clear that to her, the “n-word” is used as a highly offensive, racially derogatory term, reflecting the racist, caustic opprobrium of white supremacy.

In a letter posted online on March 1, 2021, Macon County Sheriff Robert L. Holland acknowledged his awareness of tweets exchanged between Deputy Robbins and another individual. He wrote, “This afternoon I was made aware that private communications (text messages) between two individuals was copied and posted to social media by an individual who was not a part of the original conversation. I was also made aware that one of the individuals allegedly involved in the private communication was a current member of the Macon County Sheriff’s Office.”

While acknowledging both the existence and the content of the messages, and the identity of the sender, Holland’s letter also asserts, “This is a personnel matter of the MCSO and as such, I am limited to what information can be released at this time. Having said that, no further information will be released until it is deemed appropriate and only after a complete and thorough investigation has been conducted.”

He continues, “Based on information that was made available to me this afternoon, I have requested an official review into the incident. That investigation has already been initiated.”

The use of such language by a Macon County law enforcement officer raised serious concerns to Branch 54AB of the NAACP, which serves Jackson, Macon, and Swain Counties. In its public statement, the NAACP Branch wrote, “The virulence and repulsiveness of the language is, in and of itself, more than sufficient cause for concern; however, the issue raised by the Twitter post has substantial ramifications.”

Also, the NAACP indicated that while the disposition of the deputy’s case is an important part of the issue, it is far from the only one. “The severity of the discipline she receives for her racist behavior will also reveal the seriousness with which Sheriff Holland takes her actions. Whether the sanction is firing—an entirely appropriate result given the gravity of the matter—or suspension or a reprimand,” strong action is warranted, branch officials asserted.

The NAACP says that in the more than two months since the sheriff posted his letter it has reached out to Sheriff Holland to learn the status of the “personnel matter,” but so far with no response.

In its statement, the NAACP also wrote, “The trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin for his role in the death of George Floyd reveals the danger to public safety from racists in law enforcement. Sheriff Holland is responsible for assuring that the MCSO, can fairly and equitably carry out its county law enforcement duties toward all of the people of Macon County. His policy of retention and recruitment is integrally related to his ability and that of his department to live up to that responsibility as well as to show the community that his department is free from racists and racism. It is important that people of all races and ethnicities be able to expect fair and respectful treatment from the employees of the MCSO, who are responsible to serve and protect us all.

“The law enforcement officer’s oath prescribed in N.C. Gen. Stat. §11-11 requires officers to swear or affirm that they ‘will not be influenced in any matter on account of personal bias or prejudice.’ It is clear that Deputy Robbins has violated her oath. The disposition of her case will reveal whether Sheriff Holland and the MCSO tolerate the open expression of prejudice and virulent racism. Our NAACP Branch believes it is important that all persons be able to trust that in their encounters with law enforcement officers they will be treated with respect and without prejudice.”

The NAACP branch also called on the sheriff to publicly and promptly disclose the outcome of its personnel review of Deputy Robbins’s behavior. Cultivating a practice and culture of transparency will be essential to restoring public confidence.

The branch has also called for the Macon County Board of Commissioners to exercise their authority under NC General Statute §153A-104 to require the sheriff to report to the board on the steps he has taken to assure that 1) the MCSO has in place adequate sensitivity training that will, 2) the office’s personnel remain free of racial bias and prejudice, and 3) MCSO is capable of fairly and impartially carrying out its law enforcement responsibilities.

Branch 54AB concludes its public statement with this statement: “The Commissioners must be aware that they are ultimately responsible for assuring that systemic racism does not infect county law enforcement. Danger lies if the racism evident in Deputy Robbins’s Twitter exchange is more than just a one-off, a single racist bad apple. In addition to the human toll from law enforcement racism, there are financial costs as well. Federal civil rights law (42 USC §1983) exposes the county to liability and taxpayers to the costs.”