West Memphis has dismissed four police officers following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. The West Memphis Police Department confirmed on Wednesday that Major Stacy Allen, Captain Mose Walker, Officer Treasure Gaither, and Officer Blake Forthman have been fired, as reported by Action News 5. The decision was effective as of Tuesday, August 12, and the department conveyed that it reflects the city's dedication to maintaining public trust.
In their coverage of the incident, WREG detailed that Ivora Hall, the fifth officer placed on paid administrative leave, remains in an uncertain position, while the other four officers' tenures came to an abrupt end. The move came after both internal and independent inquiries concluded. A former West Memphis Police officer, Jennifer Jordan, lauded the firings as a positive change. Jordan, who served for 13 years and departed in 2021, mentioned that many women had approached her expressing discomfort in the workplace.
“I’m just happy to see movement, and I’m happy to see that potentially the city will have a safer police department,” Jordan told WREG. She emphasized that effective leadership requires paying heed to the voices of patrolmen. The allegations against Major Allen, as per accounts, date back to at least 2017, with three women stepping forward in 2021, citing harassment and discrimination.
Adding to the community's concern, an anonymous former dispatcher shared that retaliation became a reality for some colleagues within the force. In the wake of the dismissals and amidst ongoing litigation, neither the West Memphis Police Department nor Police Chief Robbin Campbell Jr. is extending further comments. However, updates are promised when deemed appropriate. For its part, the department reassured, "This action reflects the City's commitment to public trust and fairness for all involved," according to a statement obtained from FOX13 Memphis.
