By Staff
Sims helps review cases, train officers, track fugitives
By TED STRONG
Staff Writer
District Attorney Seth Edwards of Judicial District 2 has a new weapon in his office: Roger Sims.
Sims, Edwards’ new investigator, isn’t exactly a cop, but he isn’t exactly not, either.
So far, he has helped track down an alleged fraudster in San Francisco and a fugitive hiding out in Greensboro, officials said.
But Sims said most of his work doesn’t involve tracking fugitives. He spends most of his time establishing training programs for local law-enforcement agencies and helping prepare cases for trial.
On a recent Tuesday afternoon, Sims is working in his office across the street from the Beaufort County Courthouse.
His window is open a little, and he’s got Motown playing from a spotless, but by now vintage, tape player.
When he’s not at work, Sims golfs and spends time with his intricate Lionel-train set: He’s working on a display in his attic that when completed will feature several levels replete with bridges and tunnels, he said.
Sims retired to Beaufort County after working more than 37 years in Fairfax County, Va. — 23 years of those as a policeman and the last 14 in charge of zoning enforcement.
Upon retiring from Fairfax, he had hoped to work for the federal government, but the contract didn’t come through, so Sims ended up in Edwards’ office beginning the first of the new year.
Among Sims’ duties is reinterviewing witnesses.
His job is to “make sure that what they said six months ago is still what they’re going to say in court tomorrow,” he said.
He also spends some of his time on fruitless searches that are just part of the job.
Sometimes, for instance, he’ll search high and low for witnesses but come up empty, he explained.
So far, most of his work has been in Beaufort County, but he expects to be sent to other counties in Edwards’ district: Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell and Washington.
And that’s where his training programs and case-preparation will come in handy.
He said he’s been impressed by the quality of work by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington Police Department.
Some of his first programs will focus on how officers conduct searches. He describes the legal rules governing those activities as “restrictions and gateways.”
Assistant District Attorney Tom Anglim notes Sims’ well-rounded experience.