MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Four members of the West Memphis Police Department have been placed on leave as the department conducts a sexual misconduct investigation.
Major Stacy Allen, Captains Mose Walker and Ivora Hall and Officer Treasure Gaither have all been identified as the officers placed on paid administrative leave.
“This is very concerning,” said West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon. “This is majority [of] my top ranking officers.”
Mayor McClendon said he learned about the investigation on Tuesday.
However, this is not the first time Major Stacy Allen has been under the microscope.
Back in 2021, three women came forward and said they experienced harassment and discrimination by Allen, with complaints against him dating back to at least 2017.
“We followed 20 all the suggestions that she gave to try to handle this,” McClendon said. “Now, when they come back up in this same investigation again, they do raise red flags and something we’re going to have to pay closer attention to, to make sure that we didn’t make a mistake on this, on this call.”
The West Memphis Police Department released the following statement regarding the ongoing investigation:
At this time, the West Memphis Police Department can confirm that this matter is under investigation. The officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. We take all allegations of misconduct seriously and are committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability. This investigation will be conducted in accordance with established policies to ensure a fair and thorough review.
West Memphis Police Department
Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, no further details will be released at this time. We will provide updates as appropriate and in accordance with legal and departmental policies.”
McClendon said he believes this incident puts a strain on the department and the city.
“When you have, especially, three of these officers, they got many, many years of experience being a police officer, definitely would be a loss for the West Memphis,” McClendon said. “But like I say, is not one man or woman is bigger than the law and what they are. And I try to hold my officers up to our standard.”
McClendon told WREG that he hopes to learn more about what actually happened once he returns to West Memphis next Monday.
We will update this story as more information becomes available.
