Centerton officer reinstated and now on administrative leave

Centerton Police Department
Centerton Police Department

CENTERTON -- The city's two fired Police Department leaders were reinstated Thursday, but the pair were then immediately placed on administrative leave with pay.

Mayor Bill Edwards said the City Council approved his request Chief Cody Harper and Capt. Kristopher Arthur be reinstated during a special meeting Thursday.

Edwards said he then placed the pair on administrative leave pending the results of Arkansas State Police's investigation concerning the Police Department.

Edwards said he wanted to be fair to Harper and Arthur and believes waiting until the investigation concludes is the best way to proceed.

Harper was placed on administrative leave with pay after the announcement of an investigation by the Benton County Sheriff's Office.

Officials with the Sheriff's Office never explained the reasons for the investigation.

Harper and Arthur were fired last week. Brian Rabal, Centerton's city attorney, previously said Harper and Arthur were fired as result of the investigation by the Sheriff's Office.

Benton County Prosecutor Nathan Smith requested last week the State Police investigate whether an officer or officers misappropriated city property or used credit cards for personal property and whether the Police Department violated the Arkansas Speed Trap Law.

Edwards said no decisions will be made until the conclusion of the investigation by the State Police.

"We have to wait and see what happens," he said. "I hope it works out for both of them. I hope everything is cleared up and we can move on."

NW News on 05/25/2018

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