JPD Requests Decertification of Former Officer Joseph Harris by State Commission

JONESBORO, Ark. — Authorities in Jonesboro are seeking the decertification of Joseph Harris as a law enforcement officer in Arkansas.

The September meeting agenda for the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST) includes the request, which states that “Jonesboro Police Department recommends the decertification of former Officer Joseph Harris.”

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CLEST will convene their regularly scheduled meetings over two days next week – Tuesday, Sept. 10, and Wednesday, Sept. 11. Both sessions will begin at 9 a.m. and take place at Arkansas State Police Administrative Headquarters, One State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock.

CLEST rule 1034, dealing with decertification and disciplinary actions, states that the commission may revoke the certification or the ability to be in law enforcement after a written notice and hearing for reasons including:

• Failure to meet qualifications
• Leaving employment for actions punishable by law
• Dismissed from employment for violating of rules and regulations of the agency
• Resigning or retiring while being the subject of a pending investigation
• Falsifying information required to obtain certification
• The certificate was issued in error
• Violation of the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
• Dismissed from employment for excessive use of force
• Dismissed from employment for dishonesty or untruthfulness

Once a request to decertify is submitted, the commission notifies the subject officer if they believe a reasonable basis exists for revoking their eligibility. The subject then may request a hearing within 20 days of the notice.

After decertification, the individual can only become a law enforcement officer again if the commission casts a majority vote making the subject eligible for re-certification.

CLEST was created in 1975 to establish selection and standards for employment as a law enforcement officer in Arkansas, according to their website. All applicants for law enforcement positions must meet the requirements established by CLEST and complete CLEST-approved training to obtain their certification. The commission is comprised of a director and ten members representing law enforcement, education, and the general public that meet quarterly to review training and certification matters.

The request for Harris’ decertification stems from the incident that led to his firing by JPD on August 9. On August 8, Harris struck a handcuffed inmate ten times in the back of his patrol cruiser. Harris also closed the door on the inmate’s head twice. Once at the jail, Harris appears to take another swing at the inmate before detention officers told him to leave the booking area.

As of Tuesday, Sept. 3, investigations into Harris’ apparent use of excessive force remained open by Arkansas State Police and the FBI Little Rock office respectively, according to JPD’s Public Information Official Sally Smith.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.