(Memphis) – The files at the Memphis Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division go into detail about the investigation of Officers Marc Henderson and Parker Culver and the interview that ultimately led to them losing their badges.
It started at the Ridgeway Police Precinct roll-call last year.
Supervisor Lt. T. Burford said Officer Parker Culver was complaining about a 4-point-6 percent pay cut city workers agreed to, but thought would be re-instated and he mentioned striking.
According to Burford, Culver remarked, ” If officers block the equipment room, no one could work.”
An investigation started and other cops told how Officer Marc Henderson talked about making the job harder for fellow officers.
According to one officer, Henderson said “This is how we gonna do it. They are gonna issue us a squad car and a shotgun. We are gonna take it to the Mississippi and we are not gonna bring it back.”
Another officer even said she heard Culver remark “officers who wanted to work, they will be shot.”
In their interviews, both Culver and Henderson denied discussing a strike, making any threats or taking over the equipment room at their precinct.
Henderson admitted buying guns and ammo, but only as a hobby. He said a You Tube Video he posted about the government was just expressing his first amendment rights.
The Police Department didn’t buy their story.
“We took it seriously. We felt that was not conduct conducive to a healthy work environment,” said Police Director Toney Armstrong.
The President of the Police Union, Mike Williams, claims what wasn’t healthy was a vendetta the officers’ direct supervisor, Lt. H Ross, had against them.
She told her bosses she was concerned the men could carry out their threats.
Williams questions her motives.
“She also felt like they were responsible for a suspension she got. They don’t take any of that into consideration.” said Williams.
Director Armstrong hopes other officers can learn something from this.
“More than anything, other officers will choose their words carefully and act responsibly,” said Armstrong.
The fired officers have 10 days from their firing to request a hearing before the Civil Service Board or to seek arbitration.