Ferriday police chief, three officers resign

NATCHEZ — The Town of Ferriday is without a police chief and three officers after they resigned on Friday.

Ferriday Mayor Alvin Garrison confirmed Police Chief C.J. Hall and three of the town’s officers submitted letters of resignation on Friday.

Garrison said Saturday morning he does not know why the chief and officers resigned. “I haven’t talked to any of them,” Garrison said.

Sources say the resignations were over the mayor’s interference in the operations of the Ferriday Police Department and were prompted over the handling of a legal issue involving former Ferriday Police officer Oliver Robinson III.

Robinson was arrested Thursday by the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office on warrants issued in Van Buren County, Arkansas, for alleged theft greater than $5,000 and forgery. Robinson told Garrison someone stole his identity and used it to commit the crime. However, Arkansas law enforcement and court officials, while they released Robinson on his own recognizance on Friday, Robinson said in a Facebook post, Arkansas officials have not dropped any charges against him and he will have to face trial there.

Chief C.J. Hall, when contacted for comment Saturday morning, hung up the phone. He did not answer repeated calls seeking comment.

Garrison said the town still has “seven or eight” officers in its police department, which is being run by one of those officers. He also said the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office is helping to patrol in Ferriday.

“I’m not going to run any police department,” Garrison said.

As for Robinson’s status, Garrison said he is no longer employed by the Ferriday Police Department.

“He’s got to get these charges cleaned up,” Garrison said. “He is not employed by the Town of Ferriday.”

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