A prosecutor is reviewing a former West Virginia police chief's instruction for officers to harass and put fear into "any suspected cockroach" in the community.

WHSV's sister station, WDTV,

that in an inter-office memorandum, Elkins Police Chief Craig Cross says he wanted officers to harass people carrying knives or backpacks or wearing hoodies. Cross says he wanted officers to make such people fear and respect the law.

The memo also singled out people at two residences.

Elkins city officials say they

to Prosecutor Michael Parker after confirming it was authored by Cross. Parker says a copy of the memo has been given to all attorneys representing people who have been charged with criminal offenses investigated by the Elkins Police Department.

In the memo, Cross writes: "If you see any suspected cockroach walking around OUR town with a big (expletive) knife or backpack or hoodie on with the hood up I want them stopped and identified, you know what I want them harassed if you know they are a cockroach!" It ends with: "YOUR COPS AND AS LONG AS YOU WEAR THAT PATCH ON YOUR SHOULDER THIS IS YOUR TOWN! WE WILL EITHER MAKE PEOPLE RESPECT US OR FEAR US, PREFERABLY BOTH!!!!"

It wasn't clear when the memo was issued. Cross resigned as police chief last month.

He told WDTV Wednesday morning he was frustrated at the time of writing the memo and his officers knew he meant for them to go out and do their jobs, not violate anyone's rights.

American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia executive director Joseph Cohen calls the memo "shocking" and a violation of the Constitution.