If the allegations are true then a Gates County woman should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

The news from last week was shocking….a telecommunicator within the Gates County Emergency Services department arrested and charged with leaking highly sensitive information.

From her position within county government, Michelle Kehl had access to or knowledge of highly classified material. That information, arrest warrants, remains guarded until such warrants are served.

Kehl stands accused of sharing that information prior to the arrest warrants being served by members of the Gates County Sheriff’s Office.

The consequences of such action on her part could have placed those serving the warrants in harm’s way. If the person or persons targeted by the warrant harbored any ill feelings towards law enforcement officers, they could have inflicted bodily harm on those unsuspecting deputies.

The brave men and women of our local law enforcement agencies, as well as those throughout the nation, have enough stress and strain to deal with on a daily basis. What they do not need is someone with whom they have placed their trust jeopardizing their safety at any greater measure than normal.

We should be grateful for the job performed by our local police officers and deputies. They are deserving of our highest respect, not a slap in their collective faces as so received with last week’s news.

– The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald