Investigation continues into Egypt’s former police chief

JONESBORO, Ark. – The investigation into former Egypt Police Chief Gerald Goza continued on Tuesday with the Craighead County Sheriff’s Department looking into the case.

In the incident report, Investigator David Bailey noted he had been contacted by Deputy Director of the Division of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST), Brad King. King said he had received complaints that Goza was still making traffic stops and performing police duties while driving the City of Egypt police car. King told the investigator CLEST had removed Goza from being able to perform law enforcement activities until he either showed proof of a G.E.D. or high school diploma (and one that wasn’t forged like previous documents in his file).

During the conversation, Bailey requested the letter decertifying Goza. He stated to the deputy director that neither he, nor his department, had ever received a copy of the document.

In addition, Bailey also contacted Craighead County E-911 Director Jeff Presley to request several files. The report said call logs, phone conversations, and radio traffic pertaining to Goza were all requested from January 7 until present. Presley emailed information to the investigator that same day.

NEA Report learned of the new investigation after we submitted a FOIA to Presley for the same files. He was forced to deny the request due to it being part of an investigation. Our reporter subsequently verified with the sheriff’s office that a new investigation was underway.

The new incident report also states Goza has been interviewed again. On February 14, Bailey made contact with Goza over the phone. He noted that Goza agreed to come to the office to speak with investigators.

The remaining portions of the incident report are masked under the investigative narrative, with more being added to the file on the 14th and again on the 18th. None of the additions are unmasked.

According to one witness with close ties to Goza, who spoke to NEA Report on condition of anonymity Monday, Goza was seen driving the Egypt police car with full lights in use as recently as January 25.

Goza was fired from at least two departments in Northeast Arkansas: In 2010, from Cash, for failure to provide a valid G.E.D. And in 2012, from Alicia, following “complaints and using car inappropriately.” In The Alicia termination report, the mayor recommended he be decertified from being a police officer – apparently unaware of the invalid diploma/G.E.D. and still making that recommendation.

NEA Report will continue following this story with diligence and providing updates to our readers and viewers.

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