The Senatobia board of aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday to fire Police Chief Harold Vanderford after he submitted his resignation that same day. ABC News US reported that the board declined to accept Vanderford’s resignation and proceeded with the dismissal.
The decision followed reports from The New York Times, Mississippi Today and Verite News alleging that Vanderford used racist slurs in private text exchanges with a colleague.
The city had said Aug. 25 that Vanderford answered questions from the mayor and board and would remain police chief.
The controversy also follows the June 14 death of Kohen Wiley, who was fatally shot by a Senatobia police officer during an investigation of a shoplifting call at Walmart. Another woman was wounded when the officer fired into a vehicle, according to the report. Kohen’s mother, Vellesiya Wiley, said she and the friend accompanying her had not stolen anything, and no charges have been filed against either of them.
Kohen was Black, as is his mother, and his death intensified anger in the Mississippi town amid recent tensions between Black residents and police.
National civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Kohen’s family, described the chief’s firing as the right decision. Crump also urged the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations to release body-camera footage from the June 14 shooting. He said the reported language was why the family should not simply be asked to trust the process and said the family was still owed facts about Kohen’s death.
Alderman Demetrius Garrett said the board had a duty to preserve the integrity and public trust of the Senatobia Police Department while maintaining unity and addressing serious issues.
The Associated Press sought comment from the Senatobia Police Department.
The firing comes as the city faces continued scrutiny over both the chief’s reported messages and the police shooting that killed Kohen. The city’s action changes Vanderford’s status after officials had previously indicated he would continue serving as chief.