Source: https://www.4029tv.com/article/no-criminal-charges-against-centerton-pd-chief-captain/27321920
Timestamp: 2020-04-09 14:10:24
Document Index: 76642731

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3']

No criminal charges against Centerton PD chief, captain
Updated: 11:59 PM CDT Apr 30, 2019
FILE images of Chief Cody Harper and Captain Kris Arthur
UPDATE: 9:45 p.m. - Centerton Mayor Bill Edwards decided to reinstate Chief Cody Harper and Captain Kris Arthur at a special city council meeting Tuesday night.The mayor allowed public comment during a special meeting with members of the city council. Several police officers did speak up in support of reinstating both Harper and Arthur. In the end, the decision was left to Mayor Edwards. "We will document this event with both officers. And again, we will just learn from this. There will be a probationary period...which will be determined. Edwards also told 40/29 News that they plan to hire a Human Resources coordinator to assist with any future issues or complaints. Original article is belowA special prosecutor has decided no criminal charges will be filed against Centerton Police Chief Cody Harper or Captain Kris Arthur.A special prosecutor, Jack McQuary, wrote a letter to Judge Robin Green announcing his decision.Click here to read the official memo. The letter was split into three portions:Part 1 said "there is no evidence of criminal action associated with the Chief of Police exchanging tires from a new vehicle he had just purchased with used tires from a city owned vehicle."This is because the tires given by the chief were of a "much higher value" than the tires he took.McQuary did write that he thought Harper should have informed the City Council of the tire swap before performing it.Part 2 said "The use of City Credit Cards did not show any thefts by Chief Harper or Captain Arthur."McQuary wrote that "However, Centerton probably needs new policies concerning the use and reimbursement of credit cards to protect the use of cards, "points" gained by the use of private cards with reimbursement, etc."Part 3 did find that $14,606 of federal funds were paid to Harper and Arthur improperly. This is because federal guidelines require there must be a local policy concerning overtime, and salary employees for the Centerton Police Department weren't eligible for overtime.However, the investigation found that the city had authorized Harper and Arthur to work overtime on these projects. This "may be in violation of the Federal guidelines and the City will have to communicate with the Federal," McQuary wrote."As such, I cannot file criminal charges against either the Chief or Captain concerning these funds. This matter is being referred to Federal authorities concerning these funds." Harper and Arthur have been on paid administrative leave since May 2018, when an investigation by Arkansas State Police into the department began. A special prosecutor, Jack McQuary, was appointed to examine the results of the investigation. In the letter, he called the investigation "thorough and professionally performed."The City of Centerton is planning a special meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. to discuss the findings, Mayor Bill Edwards told 40/29 News.
UPDATE: 9:45 p.m. - Centerton Mayor Bill Edwards decided to reinstate Chief Cody Harper and Captain Kris Arthur at a special city council meeting Tuesday night.
The mayor allowed public comment during a special meeting with members of the city council.
Several police officers did speak up in support of reinstating both Harper and Arthur.
In the end, the decision was left to Mayor Edwards.
"We will document this event with both officers. And again, we will just learn from this. There will be a probationary period...which will be determined.
Edwards also told 40/29 News that they plan to hire a Human Resources coordinator to assist with any future issues or complaints.
A special prosecutor has decided no criminal charges will be filed against Centerton Police Chief Cody Harper or Captain Kris Arthur.
A special prosecutor, Jack McQuary, wrote a letter to Judge Robin Green announcing his decision.
Click here to read the official memo.
The letter was split into three portions:
Part 1 said "there is no evidence of criminal action associated with the Chief of Police exchanging tires from a new vehicle he had just purchased with used tires from a city owned vehicle."
This is because the tires given by the chief were of a "much higher value" than the tires he took.
McQuary did write that he thought Harper should have informed the City Council of the tire swap before performing it.
Part 2 said "The use of City Credit Cards did not show any thefts by Chief Harper or Captain Arthur."
McQuary wrote that "However, Centerton probably needs new policies concerning the use and reimbursement of credit cards to protect the use of cards, "points" gained by the use of private cards with reimbursement, etc."
Part 3 did find that $14,606 of federal funds were paid to Harper and Arthur improperly. This is because federal guidelines require there must be a local policy concerning overtime, and salary employees for the Centerton Police Department weren't eligible for overtime.
However, the investigation found that the city had authorized Harper and Arthur to work overtime on these projects.
This "may be in violation of the Federal guidelines and the City will have to communicate with the Federal," McQuary wrote.
"As such, I cannot file criminal charges against either the Chief or Captain concerning these funds. This matter is being referred to Federal authorities concerning these funds."
Harper and Arthur have been on paid administrative leave since May 2018, when an investigation by Arkansas State Police into the department began.
A special prosecutor, Jack McQuary, was appointed to examine the results of the investigation. In the letter, he called the investigation "thorough and professionally performed."
The City of Centerton is planning a special meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. to discuss the findings, Mayor Bill Edwards told 40/29 News.