RICHLANDS — The police chief in an Onslow County town has been prohibited from carrying a badge and gun because he couldn't shoot straight.

Richlands Police Chief Thomas Bennett was suspended as a law enforcement officer after failing his recent annual firearms qualification exam. He's been police chief in Richlands since 1999 and plans to retire in July.

Bennett's suspended certification also means he cannot turn on the blue lights on a police cruiser and make a traffic stop.

Bennett says he is still able to perform job duties related to managing the police department.

Town Administrator Gregg Whitehead says Bennett has been asked to take the firearms test again.