WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — Four West Memphis Police Department officers have been fired following an internal and third-party investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.
The City of West Memphis fired four of the five officers who had been placed on administrative leave during the ongoing misconduct investigation, according to WREG.
Major Stacy Allen, Captain Mose Walker, Officer Treasure Gaither and Officer Blake Forthman were released from the department effective Aug. 12, Police Chief Robbin Campbell Jr. said in a statement. The officers, along with Ivora Hall, had been placed on paid administrative leave earlier in the investigation, WREG reports.
“This action reflects the City’s commitment to public trust and fairness for all involved,” Campbell said.
Former West Memphis police officer Jennifer Jordan, who served with the department for 13 years before leaving in 2021, said she had received multiple complaints from female officers who did not feel safe in their work environment. Jordan said the terminations are a step toward improving safety and trust within the department.
“Most of the allegations were sexual misconduct of individuals in positions of authority that were using their positions of authority to manipulate women into doing things maybe they didn’t want to do,” Jordan told WREG. “There were some allegations of stalking, there was harassment. There were women that were afraid to come to work every day.”
Back in 2021, three women accused Allen of harassment and discrimination, with allegations dating to at least 2017. West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon said in March the allegations had placed a strain on both the department and the city.
“When you have … three of these officers, they got many, many years of experience being a police officer, definitely would be a loss for West Memphis,” McClendon said. “But … not one man or woman is bigger than the law.”
A former dispatcher, speaking anonymously, told WREG that retaliation was a concern for some within the department and that the lack of action in the past had eroded trust in leadership.
Chief Campbell said the department could not provide further details due to ongoing litigation but will issue updates as appropriate.
Further details about the investigation have not been released.
