FERNDALE, Wash. – The City of Ferndale has placed a police officer on leave after he was alleged to have contacted a far-right extremist group following the January 6th Capitol riots.
A Buzzfeed News investigation found an increase in emails from active duty law enforcement officers and military personnel to the Oath Keepers in the weeks following the insurrection.
Many were seeking information on the group or where they could join their nearest chapter.
Ferndale hasn’t identified the police officer who’s been suspended, but Buzzfeed reports that officer Scott Langton identified himself in an email sent on February 4th that was leaked from Oath Keepers.
Court records show Officer Langton has been sued in the past for civil rights and abuse of power violations while on duty.
The city’s statement says the officer has been put on administrative leave due to the nature of the Oath Keepers group, and won’t have any additional comment until an investigation is complete.