Will Tate
What Happened
Tate was dispatched for a shoplifting complaint, but when he arrived, he realized it was more of a trespass issue, with the store clerk wanting a man to leave. The man was argumentative, stating he was friends with the owner and asking for an explanation.
Instead of explaining the process of criminal trespass, Tate escalated the situation, an internal affairs investigation said. Tate closed the distance, drew his taser, and grabbed the subject by the shirt collar.
Tate also falsely wrote in his incident report that he heard Baker say, “When we get outside, we’re going to throw hands.” But the statement did not occur, police found. Supervisor Bryan Davis wrote that he believed Tate “misheard” the subject.
Agency Response
“At no point during the contact was the subject anything more than verbally confrontational, and you never developed probable cause for an arrest in which a use of force would have been authorized,” Tate’s supervisor wrote in the reprimand.
Final Outcome
Two-day suspension. Police recommended remedial training for Tate as well as a class in de-escalation.
What Happened
The video was shared in the NEA Report News Tips group on Facebook. According to the post, the video involves a 2023 incident in which a 70-year-old woman approached a traffic stop to pick up her grandchildren. The post claims that after a verbal exchange with Officer Will Tate, he slapped a phone from her hand, used force to restrain her against a vehicle, and denied her medical attention despite her requests. She was reportedly released without charges and later went to the hospital.
Agency Response
Unknown, as Tate was a JPD officer at the time
However, he lost his job at the Trumann Police Department in 2026 after it resurfaced.
Due to the totality of the circumstances, Officer Will Tate is no longer with the Trumann Police Department. The officer’s continued presence in the field has raised concerns among community members and stakeholders, indicating a substantial loss of trust. This dynamic compromises the department’s ability to effectively engage with the public and uphold its mission of service.
– Chief Jon Redman.
Final Outcome
Tate was either fired or resigned from the Trumann Police Department after public backlash on social media.
Public Vote
After reviewing the documented record, do you believe this officer belongs in the Bad Cop Database?
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