Several lawsuits accuse WMPD of excessive force, cover-ups, retaliation

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (WMC) - Several lawsuits have been filed against the City of West Memphis, its mayor, police chief, and multiple police officers.

Recently, four WMPD officers were placed on administrative leave due to an investigation into alleged sexual harassment.

One of the four, Captain Mose Walker, filed a lawsuit against WMPD Police Chief Robbin Campbell Jr., Mayor Marco McLendon, and the City of West Memphis in June 2024.

Three separate lawsuits all allege assault and battery, felony aggravated assault, civil rights violations, retaliation, and cover-ups within the West Memphis Police Department.

In July 2024, Michael Grant filed a lawsuit against several WMPD officers. Grant is a man who claims officers on the WMPD narcotics team stomped on his “stomach, in his back, and in his side” after raiding an apartment complex he was inside.

The lawsuit claims he was in the hospital for “several days” and was “seriously injured.”

His lawsuit includes officers Jason Kennedy, Ismael Clay, Cecil Langston, Nick McPherson, Cole Strayhorn, and Jarreous Johnson.

The lawsuit claims that the act was “excessive,” and no one intervened.

Similar claims were made in a lawsuit filed by Cheezy Pulliam against Earnest Chad Rash, a WMPD officer. This lawsuit was filed in August 2024. Pulliam claims after a chase with police, he was handcuffed and Rash kicked him in the face.

According to the lawsuit, Rash was terminated a month later but was later reinstated. WMPD did not confirm Rash’s current employment with the department.

Captain Walker, who remains on administrative leave with the department, filed a lawsuit stating he was also put on administrative leave in 2023.

His lawsuit was filed in June 2024. The lawsuit claims his placement on administrative leave was retaliation for him questioning Chief Campbell over hiring practices, alleged investigation coverups, and internal investigations.

Also, his sexual harassment investigation is mentioned.

The lawsuit says a “female officer was interrogated regarding potential sexual harassment by Major Allen.”

It goes on to say she denied those allegations but later told leadership that “there were instances of sexual harassment by Captain Hall,” with text messages of proof.

When the lawsuit was filed in June 2024, it claimed no actions were taken.

Hall, Allen, and Walker are now all on administrative leave.

Two of these lawsuits are set to go to trial in 2026.

The City of West Memphis and WMPD shared this response:

“At this time, the City of West Memphis and the West Memphis Police Department are not able to comment on active investigations or pending litigation. We take all allegations seriously and remain committed to transparency and accountability through established policies and procedures.”

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