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WMPD’s Allen ‘relieved of duty’

WMPD’s Allen ‘relieved of duty’

Big shakeups in West Memphis police hierarchy in recent weeks

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Big shakeups in West Memphis police hierarchy in recent weeks

By JOHN RECH

news@theeveningtimes.com

Leadership at the West Memphis Police Department was sent reeling in the past week. First, Assistant Chief Robert Langston announced his retirement. Next, in events unrelated to Langston’s departure, the department’s third-highest- ranking officer was relieved of duty. Police command took the badge and service weapon from Maj. Stacy Allen and Lt. Charles Burch on Sept. 16 pending an investigation.

Major Allen represented the first promotion under new Mayor Marco McClendon and the new Chief Eddie West. The advancement came in January 2019. The previous police administration had not used the rank, handing the duties of retiring majors off to captains. Later captains were awarded

See ALLEN, page A2

West Memphis Chief of Police Eddie West is dealing with some vacancies at the top of the WMPD’s chain of command following the retirement of Assistant Chief Robert Langston and the suspension of Maj. Stacy Allen and a lieutenant for an undisclosed HR complaint.

Photo courtesy of WMPD ALLEN

From page A1

a pay raise for assuming the elevated responsibilities.

Burch earned the lieutenant’s rank in February 2019.

While details are not being made public, the suspended pair were scheduled off for at least two weeks pending the disposition of a complaint lodged with the city’s Human Resources Department.

The next morning, the police chief con_rmed Allen and Burch were off duty, but said he did not yet know the basis of the complaint. West indicated department policy prevented him from further comment. When asked what the employment status of Allen and Burch were in a phone interview on Sept. 24, Chief West kept it close to the vest.

“They were relieved of duty pending a human resource investigation,” said West. “I do not know the nature of the complaint. I have not seen it yet. The police department does not comment and will not comment on ongoing investigations.”

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