Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Fate of 2 officers issue for special prosecutor

- TRACY M. NEAL

BENTONVILL­E — A special prosecutor will decide whether to charge the two leaders of the Centerton Police Department, according to Benton County Prosecutin­g Attorney Nathan Smith.

Smith said Thursday that an Arkansas State Police investigat­ion of the lawmen relates to financial transactio­ns and the use of police property.

He said he requested a special prosecutor so his office and Centerton police can continue to work together.

“Obviously that would be made very difficult if we are investigat­ing or prosecutin­g a chief of police,” he said. “That’s a different thing than prosecutin­g a police officer.”

Smith asked in May for the state police to investigat­e whether any officer or officers misappropr­iated city property or used city credit cards for personal property, and whether the department violated the Arkansas speed-trap law.

Smith recently received the state police report and an audit from Arkansas Legislativ­e Audit. He said the investigat­ion concluded that Centerton police didn’t violate the speedtrap law.

The state Prosecutor Coordinato­r’s Office will assign the special prosecutor, Smith said.

Centerton Police Chief Cody Harper and Capt. Kristopher Arthur were fired in May but then rehired and placed on administra­tive leave.

Centerton Mayor Bill Edwards said Harper and Arthur will remain on leave with pay until the special prosecutor makes a decision in the case.

Smith said he had hoped the investigat­ion would have been wrapped up sooner, but it doesn’t change his decision to ask for a special prosecutor.

“I’m not in charge of how long it takes to complete an investigat­ion,” he said.

Smith said he did not want to disclose details out of fairness to Harper and Arthur. The special prosecutor may decide not to pursue any criminal charges, he said.

The city hired David Williams, a retired state auditor, to look at the finances of the Police Department and its policies and procedures, according to documents from the city. The documents didn’t specify reasons for the review.

Lt. Anthony Keck was put in charge of the department after Harper and Arthur were placed on leave.

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