Centerton police chief cleared of allegations

Harper served as interim police chief in 2015 and he was later hired to chief.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office found no criminal wrongdoing in its investigation of Centerton Police Chief Cody Harper, the chief deputy said Friday.

Centerton City Attorney Brian Rabal said Wednesday that Harper was placed on paid administrative leave, but declined to comment on the reason.

Rabal said the sheriff’s office investigated an issue involving Harper and the Police Department.

“There is not active criminal investigation,” Rabal said. “They did not find anything to be prosecuted.”

Meyer Gilbert, the chief deputy for the Sheriff’s Office, said it received allegations concerning the department and a detective was assigned to the case. He declined to give details of the investigation.

Gilbert said the office consulted with the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and determined no criminal charges should be filed. Gilbert said the investigation is continuing, but the issue may end up as ethical or policy violations. He said it is protocol for the Sheriff’s Office to work investigations for other law enforcement agencies that are internal matters.

Rabal said Mayor Bill Edwards plans to hire a firm to conduct an audit of the Police Department. He did not have a time frame when the audit would be completed.

Capt. Kris Arthur was put in charge of the department during Harper’s absence, Rabal said.

Harper was hired as a police officer in 2005. He served as interim police chief in 2015 and he was later hired to chief.

The Centerton City Council will have a regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, but Rabal did not expect the issue concerning Harper or the Police Department to be on the agenda.