Former Ferriday police chief says mayor interfered with department

NATCHEZ — Former Ferriday, Louisiana, Police Chief Clarence “C.J.” Hall Jr. said he felt he had no choice but to resign his position because of interference in the operation of the police department by Ferriday’s mayor, Alvin Garrison

He confirmed Saturday afternoon that he submitted his resignation on Friday afternoon, along with five other officers. He would not name the officers who resigned at the same time he did.

Earlier Saturday, Garrison said three officers resigned in addition to Hall.

Hall took over as Ferriday police chief the first week of July, and Garrison was sworn in as mayor on July 1.

“I came in to do a job and to do a job the correct way. What I was told from the beginning was not what I was given,” Hall said. “I was told I was going to run the police department. With me trying to do things the right way, that did not happen.”

Hall would not elaborate further. He said the handling of the issue with former Ferriday Police Officer Oliver Robinson was part of the reason he resigned but was not the entire reason.

Robinson was arrested on Thursday by Concordia Parish Sheriff’s deputies on warrants out of Van Buren County, Arkansas, for alleged theft over $5,000 and forgery. Robinson claimed the charges stemmed from identity theft. However, he returned to Arkansas on Friday and must stand trial on those charges. Robinson lived in the Little Rock, Arkansas, area before moving to the area to work as a Ferriday officer.

On Friday, Garrison said he had suspended Robinson until the issue was resolved. On Saturday morning, Garrison said Robinson was no longer employed with the Town of Ferriday.

Hall apologized to Ferriday residents for his short tenure as their police chief.

“I came there to do a job and to do a great job, but because of certain conflicts and interference, I wasn’t able to do that,” Hall said.

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