NC sheriff fires 4 officers over alcohol at lunch

CHARLOTTE — A North Carolina sheriff has fired four detention officers who had alcohol on their lunch break, away from the jail.

The Charlotte Observer reported Friday that Mecklenburg County Sheriff Chipp Bailey fired the officers for conduct unbecoming an officer. The sheriff’s office said the offense involved having alcohol at lunch, although it wasn’t brought into the jail.

Rules prohibit consuming alcohol during a work shift.

The four were suspended Tuesday during an investigation. Officials said inmates weren’t involved and the public wasn’t at risk.

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