Former Selma Police Major Claims Town Hall Sought More Traffic Tickets, Less Officer Discretion

Jeff Bass says disagreements over officer discretion and policing priorities contributed to his decision to medically retire. Town Manager Phillip McDaniel rejects the allegations, while Mayor Byron McAllister and Police Chief Justin Vause focus on the department’s future.

Major Jeffrey Bass details allegations and concerns in farewell letter to fellow officers

SELMA, N.C. – When Major Jeffrey Bass quietly retired from the Selma Police Department on July 1 after a lengthy law enforcement career, many officers were left wondering why one of the department’s longtime leaders had stepped away so suddenly.

Bass sought to answer those questions himself.

In a lengthy farewell letter distributed to members of the Selma Police Department and the Selma Town Council, Bass detailed what he described as months of growing tension between police leadership and Town Hall. He alleged political interference in police operations, increasing pressure to focus on traffic enforcement, disagreements over officer discretion and what he viewed as a shift away from proactive policing that had helped reduce crime.

Bass also described the physical and emotional toll he says those events had on him, ultimately leading to his medical retirement after suffering blood clots in both lungs and ongoing complications involving his heart and autoimmune disease.

Town Manager Phillip McDaniel strongly disputes Bass’s account.

“Most of these allegations are false, embellished, or conveniently one sided,” McDaniel told JoCoReport.

Mayor Byron McAllister declined to address Bass’s specific allegations, saying only that he remains focused on the future of the department under newly appointed Police Chief Justin Vause.

The exchange has created a rare public disagreement between former police leadership and Town Hall over the direction of the Selma Police Department during a period of significant transition.

A Letter Explaining His Retirement

Bass said he wrote the letter because many officers had asked why his departure happened quickly.

“I wanted everyone to understand why my departure seemed so abrupt,” Bass wrote.

He emphasized that his retirement was not simply the result of not being selected as Selma’s next police chief.

“It was not simply because I was not selected as Chief,” he wrote. “My health had reached the point where retirement became medically necessary.”

Bass said his medical retirement became effective July 1 after physicians advised him to leave law enforcement due to ongoing health complications.

“I firmly believe that the prolonged stress and anxiety I experienced during this period contributed… to the serious medical complications I experienced,” Bass wrote.

Several physicians recommended medical retirement, advice Bass said he ultimately followed.

Department Success Before the Dispute

Bass’s allegations come against the backdrop of what Town officials themselves described only months earlier as one of the most successful periods in the Selma Police Department’s recent history.

In December 2025, the Town announced Police Chief Jamie Hughes would retire effective April 1, 2026, after more than two decades with the department.

A Johnston County native, Hughes began his law enforcement career with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office in 1999 before joining the Selma Police Department in 2001. Over the next 24 years, he rose through the ranks, serving as a patrol officer, K-9 handler, detective sergeant, captain, major and eventually police chief after being sworn into the department’s top position in October 2023 following the retirement of Chief Billy Thomas.

During Hughes’ tenure as chief, the department modernized its equipment and technology, adding body-worn cameras, in-car camera systems, Flock Safety license plate readers, Panasonic Toughbooks and a drone program. Hughes also expanded patrol staffing, created new officer positions, implemented a take-home vehicle program, added a new K-9, updated the department’s interview room and revised departmental policies. Town officials also credited Hughes with securing grants requiring little or no local taxpayer funding.

The Town praised Hughes for improving officer recruitment and retention through better salaries, enhanced equipment and investments in technology while noting the department experienced steady reductions in both violent and property crime.

“These achievements reflect far more than progress; they reflect a Chief who never stopped fighting for his officers, his department, and the people he served,” the Town said when announcing Hughes’ retirement.

Bass echoed that assessment.

“Our department—under the leadership of Chief Hughes, myself, Captain Layhew, Captain Baker, and every officer who served alongside us—had achieved significant success,” Bass wrote.

He said crime had been reduced by more than 60 percent across nearly every major category through proactive policing.

According to Bass, it was during that period of success that he believes the department’s priorities began to change.

Alleged Shift in Priorities

Major Bass said the relationship between police leadership and Town Hall began changing shortly after former Town Manager Alexis Carter was hired in January 2025.

He alleged former Chief Hughes experienced what Bass believed was unfair treatment by Carter and then-Deputy Town Manager Phillip McDaniel, which Bass said he believed occurred at the direction of Mayor Byron McAllister.

Bass further alleged Carter shared screenshots with Hughes showing repeated requests and directives from the mayor regarding Police Department operations.

JoCoReport has not independently verified the existence or contents of those alleged screenshots.

Bass wrote that despite the department’s success in reducing crime, the focus shifted away from proactive policing.

“Despite those accomplishments, the focus shifted away from crime reduction and toward issues such as stop sign enforcement, parking violations, patrol routes, and code enforcement complaints,” Bass wrote.

“Those priorities became the primary concern, regardless of the progress the department had made in reducing serious crime.”

After Hughes announced his retirement, Bass alleges Chief Hughes was removed from department head meetings and Bass attended in his place.

“As a result, I began receiving the complaints and directives involving stop signs, downtown parking, patrol methods, and code enforcement issues,” Bass wrote.

He said many code enforcement complaints could have been resolved through conversation rather than enforcement.

Traffic Enforcement Becomes a Flashpoint

Much of Bass’s letter centers on what he described as increasing pressure regarding traffic enforcement.

“I specifically recall being told by Deputy Town Manager Phillip McDaniel that, because the Town was no longer experiencing shootings on a regular basis, our focus needed to shift toward stop sign enforcement, parking violations, patrol techniques, and code enforcement,” Bass wrote.

Bass said he objected to changing the department’s proactive policing strategy.

“I expressed my concern that abandoning the proactive policing strategies that had reduced crime would likely result in an increase in burglaries, violent crime, and other serious offenses.”

Bass said those concerns did not change the direction being requested.

He also alleged officers began facing pressure regarding the use of warnings instead of citations.

“Concerns were repeatedly raised about officers issuing warnings instead of citations, and there were discussions suggesting officers should write tickets for every violation without discretion.”

Bass said he repeatedly objected.

“I consistently explained that officers cannot legally be subjected to ticket quotas and that law enforcement officers must retain discretion in carrying out their duties.”

Bass said he believed requiring officers to issue citations without discretion could undermine criminal prosecutions by allowing defense attorneys to argue citations were issued because of political direction rather than an officer’s independent judgment.

Bass also alleged he was told convictions “were not the priority” and that filing charges was what mattered.

North Carolina law does not authorize municipal officials to dictate how an individual officer exercises lawful discretion during an enforcement encounter. While municipalities establish policing priorities through budgets, policies and departmental leadership, officers generally retain discretion in determining whether a warning, citation or arrest is appropriate based on the circumstances of each case.

February Meeting

Bass also described what he called a Town Council expectations meeting held on Feb. 4, 2026.

According to Bass, he and Hughes attended the meeting along with Mayor Byron McAllister, and Mayor Pro Tem Joe Scarboro.

“My recollection is that we were informed of the Council’s expectations regarding traffic enforcement, including requests that officers issue citations rather than exercise discretion,” Bass wrote.

He also recalled discussions involving enforcement directed toward a particular individual.

Town officials did not specifically respond to JoCoReport’s questions regarding Bass’s description of that meeting.

Officer Turnover

Bass also addressed the departure of several officers from the department. He specifically identified five officers in the letter.

Bass wrote each officer independently discussed with him, Hughes or both their reasons for leaving the Selma Police Department.

According to Bass, each expressed concerns involving Town leadership.

“I cannot speak for them beyond what they personally shared with us,” Bass wrote, “but I believe it is important to note that these concerns were expressed independently by multiple officers and reflected a consistent theme during that period.”

Chief Selection Process

Major Bass also described the process used to select Selma’s next police chief.

Shortly before the assessment process began, Bass said he was hospitalized with blood clots in both lungs.

While hospitalized, he said he was asked to complete his assessment by Zoom.

“I declined because I did not believe I could fairly participate under those circumstances.”

Bass returned to work on March 30.

That same day, he alleges McDaniel told him he was waiting to learn who would become the next chief and that the new chief would need to understand the Council wanted “a ticket written for every violation in town.”

Bass said he again expressed legal concerns.

“I further explained that a defense attorney could potentially argue that citations were issued pursuant to political direction rather than independent officer judgment.”

Bass said he also explained that officers take pride in successful prosecutions and unnecessary losses in court would negatively affect morale.

According to Bass, he was told convictions were not the priority.

Bass also said he was supposed to receive the assessment scenario around 5 p.m. the evening before his assessment but did not receive it until after 8 a.m. the following morning.

After completing the assessment, Bass said he was informed the assessment board believed he possessed the qualifications, experience and institutional knowledge necessary to serve as chief, but two other candidates received higher assessment scores.

Ultimately, Justin Vause was selected as Selma’s new police chief.

Bass Reflects on His Career

Near the conclusion of his letter, Bass summarized what he believes ultimately separated him from Town leadership.

“I also believe that my leadership philosophy and professional ethics differed from what was expected by Town leadership during that time.”

“Throughout my career, I have believed that law enforcement officers should follow the law, exercise sound judgment, and treat people fairly. Those principles guided every decision I made, and they are principles I will continue to stand by.”

Town Manager Rejects Allegations

Town Manager Phillip McDaniel disputed Bass’s version of events.

“Most of these allegations are false, embellished, or conveniently one sided,” McDaniel said.

“It is true that the management of the town falls to the Town Manager and Deputy Manager and that includes the Police Chief. The Council sets goals and the Manager directs the best way to carry out those goals to the staff.”

McDaniel defended the Town’s expectations for police officers.

“All laws, ordinances, and regulations are to be enforced by our Police Department. Employees do not get to pick and choose what tasks they complete at their convenience.”

Despite rejecting Bass’s account, McDaniel praised the retired officer.

“Major Bass has served Selma for many years and is an excellent law enforcement officer. I wish him good health and a happy retirement.”

McDaniel also pointed to what he said were positive staffing trends since Vause became chief.

“Here is a fact: (from) January 2024 – April 2026, 14 officers left employment with Selma PD. Since May 2026 Selma PD has received 14 applications for Police Officer. The only change since May 1st is the promotion of Chief Vause.”

Chief Vause Focuses on the Future

Current Police Chief Justin Vause, who was selected to succeed Hughes this year, also declined to address the specific allegations raised by Bass. Instead, Vause praised Bass’s career and emphasized his focus on leading the department forward.

“Major Jeff Bass dedicated many years of service to the citizens of Selma, and I sincerely appreciate his commitment to this community and the officers he served alongside,” Vause said. “I have known Jeff for many years and have great respect for the work he performed throughout his law enforcement career. Major Bass recently shared a public statement regarding his retirement and his career in law enforcement. His dedication to serving the citizens of Selma and supporting the men and women of this department throughout the years is both recognized and appreciated.”

“My focus remains where it has always been—supporting the men and women of the Selma Police Department, strengthening trust within our community, reducing crime, and providing professional law enforcement services to our residents and visitors,” Vause said.

He also expressed confidence in the department’s future under its current leadership.

“The Selma Police Department is staffed by dedicated professionals who come to work each day committed to serving this community with integrity, fairness, and compassion,” Vause said. “I am proud of their service, proud of the progress our department continues to make, and confident in the future of this organization.”

Vause closed his statement by wishing Bass well in retirement.

“I wish Major Bass the very best in retirement. His years of service to the Town of Selma and the Selma Police Department have left a lasting impact, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside him.”

Mayor Declines to Address Specific Allegations

Mayor Byron McAllister did not directly respond to the allegations contained in Bass’s letter.

Instead, he expressed confidence in the department’s future.

“While I do not comment on statements made by former or outgoing employees, I can say I look forward to the future of the Town of Selma and the Selma Police Department under Police Chief Justin Vause,” McAllister said.

“We will continue to maintain high standards for our staff performance in the Town of Selma.”

JoCoReport attempted to contact former Police Chief Jamie Hughes regarding the allegations contained in Bass’s letter. Hughes could not be reached for comment.

Looking Ahead

Bass’s letter provides an unusually detailed account of what he says occurred behind the scenes during the final months of his law enforcement career. It raises allegations involving political influence over policing priorities, disagreements over officer discretion, the treatment of former Chief Jamie Hughes, the chief selection process and the role of Town Hall in directing police operations.

McDaniel broadly rejected Bass’s account but did not identify which specific allegations he considered false, embellished or one-sided. Town officials also did not specifically address several individual allegations raised by Bass, including his alleged claim that he was told the Council wanted officers to issue citations for every traffic violation.

What is undisputed is that the Selma Police Department has undergone significant leadership changes over the past year. Chief Hughes has retired, Major Bass has medically retired, and Justin Vause now leads the department as chief.

Whether Bass’s concerns reflect isolated disagreements or a broader philosophical divide over the direction of policing in Selma is likely to remain a topic of discussion as the Town and Police Department move forward.