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

Several lawsuits have been filed against the City of West Memphis, its mayor, police chief, and multiple police officers, following allegations of misconduct within the West Memphis Police Department (WMPD). Four officers were recently placed on administrative leave while an investigation into alleged sexual harassment is underway. Among them, Captain Mose Walker has initiated legal action against Police Chief Robbin Campbell Jr., Mayor Marco McLendon, and the city, claiming his administrative leave was a retaliatory measure for questioning department practices.

In July 2024, Michael Grant filed a lawsuit alleging that officers from the WMPD narcotics team assaulted him during a raid at an apartment complex. He claims he was stomped on multiple areas of his body and suffered serious injuries requiring hospitalization. This suit names several officers, asserting that their actions were excessive and that no one intervened to stop the assault.

A related incident involved Cheezy Pulliam, who filed a lawsuit against WMPD officer Earnest Chad Rash in August 2024. Pulliam alleges that after a police chase, he was handcuffed and kicked in the face by Rash. Despite Rash being terminated following the incident, he was later reinstated, although the department has not confirmed his employment status.

Captain Walker's lawsuit also touches on issues of sexual harassment within the department. The suit mentions an unnamed female officer who was questioned about harassment allegations against Major Allen and later provided evidence of harassment by Captain Hall. Despite these serious claims, the lawsuit alleges that no actions were taken to address them when it was filed in June 2024.

The City of West Memphis and the WMPD have refrained from commenting on the active investigations or pending litigation, stating their commitment to transparency and accountability through established procedures. With two of the lawsuits set to go to trial in 2026, the situation continues to unfold as the community awaits further developments.