BENTONVILLE — Benton County Prosecutor Nathan Smith requested that the Arkansas State Police investigate issues surrounding the Centerton Police Department and its two former leaders.
Chief Cody Harper and Cpt. Kristopher Arthur were fired Tuesday.
Smith said Friday that he asking the State Police to investigate whether an officer or officers misappropriated city property or used city credit cards for personal property and whether the Centerton Police Department violated the Arkansas Speed Trap Law.
Smith said he does not recall his office ever receiving any complaints concerning the department and speeding tickets.
Smith did not have a time frame in which the State Police will complete the investigation. He also requested that the Arkansas Legislative Audit assist with the investigation.
The investigation could lead the State Police to determine no laws were broken, Smith said.
He said it is important to have an outside agency review allegations and conduct interviews of suspects and witnesses.
Harper was placed on administrative leave with pay as result of an investigation by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office turned their file over Tuesday to the prosecutor’s office.
Smith said those issues will be the only things that will be involved in the investigation.
Brian Rabal, Centerton’s city attorney, previously said Harper and Arthur were fired as result of the investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.
Lt. Anthony Keck, with the assistance of Mayor Bill Edwards, was put in charge of the department after the terminations.
Arthur is appealing his termination. The Centerton City Council will hear the appeal.
The city hired David Williams, a retired state auditor, to look at the finances of the Police Department and the policies and procedures, according to documents from the city. The documents didn’t specify any reasons for the review.
Tracy M. Neal can be reached by email at [email protected] or Twitter @NWATracy.
