EARLE, Ark. — A man accused of impersonating a police officer in Memphis was an officer in Earle, Arkansas.
WREG confirmed with Earle Police Chief Tyrone Smith that DeMarcus McPherson, 25, was an officer in his police department for about two months earlier this year.
McPherson was dismissed from his duties last month after being arrested for pot possession in a Crittenden County traffic stop on U.S. Highway 64.
Arkansas State Police arrested him for possession, speeding and not having liability insurance.
McPherson was reportedly driving his personal vehicle.
WREG reported earlier this week that Memphis Police arrested McPherson for criminal impersonation, robbery, theft, kidnapping and possession.
A police report said McPherson and another man were traveling in a white Dodge Charger that was decked out to look like a police car.
It had a black bumper bar, driver side spotlight, transport cage, gray plastic seats in the back and red lights on the inside.
They reportedly pulled the victim over and told him he had unpaid fines and child support, handcuffed him, and put him in their car
They let him go a short ways away.
Police found McPherson at his apartment in Hickory Hill.
They also found the white car out front.
They found marijuana inside that he said he got from a man while working security.
People in Earle recognized McPherson’s name.
Denise Alston admitted she does not know McPherson well, but she worked at the gas station where he used to fill up his car.
“He didn’t say much. He looked like he was kind of just there,” Alston said.
Police said McPherson is no stranger to trouble in Shelby County.
He has been arrested several times for driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Former city employee Earley Wallace said the news made people in the area upset.
She said she saw McPherson in passing, but never expected he was a potential troublemaker.
“If you’re trained to uphold the law, you should be held to a higher standard,” said Earle resident Chester Hardy.
Some worry McPherson might have used that higher standard to his advantage.
At last check, police had not yet arrested the other suspect in the impersonation incident.