Faulkner County Road Police Officer Michael J. Bell was terminated from his position Thursday, according to Faulkner County Judge Preston Scroggin and Faulkner County Sheriff Karl Byrd.
Bell was accused of physical abuse two weeks ago by a 20-year-old female, who later dropped the charges. Earlier she had alleged Bell held a gun to her throat and hit her.
Bell’s commission as a law enforcement officer was taken away by Byrd, citing conduct issues. Because of that, Scroggin, who employs the Road Police, terminated him.
“[Bell] can no longer serve as a law enforcement officer,” Scroggin said. “I had no choice but to terminate his employment as his job was enforcing all kinds of road legal matters.”
Byrd said he was confident removing Bell’s commission.
“There has been conduct issues with him that I would not want to have associated with anyone in law enforcement,” Byrd said. His authority to take enforcement action was already very limited. I think his conduct is unacceptable.”
Byrd said that although Bell is employed by the county judge, the ability to use authority and enforcement on county roads is granted by the sheriff.
The Faulkner County Road Police Department was formed, according to County Attorney Allen Dodson, to regulate or ticket trucks associated with the natural gas industry, particularly in the north part of the county.
“I think it was envisioned that the department would grow, but as time went on I think that need has subsided,” Dodson said.
Bell issued citations for weight limit violations and can conduct other kinds of traffic stops, according to Dodson.
According to a closed case file obtained under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act from the 20th Judicial District prosecuting attorney’s office, formal charges of third degree domestic battery and second degree assault against Bell were signed by a judge.
But the charges were not filed and a warrant for Bell’s arrest never issued, according to Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland, because the woman who brought the allegations cast doubt on her original statement.
“We submitted the domestic battery and assault in the second degree for the court’s signature but we received word that the victim had come to Vilonia Police Department and cast doubt on the legitimacy of some of her statement,” Hiland said. “We then interviewed the victim and she insisted that she didn’t want to move forward and indicated she didn’t know if what she told the officers initially was accurate.”
The allegations stem from an event that allegedly occurred on Aug. 31 at Bell’s residence in Vilonia.
Vilonia Police Chief Brad McNew said the woman did not say she lied during a police interview, but “she said she didn’t remember.”
“She read her original statement and didn’t know what was true,” McNew said.
Hiland said the case would not move forward without a credible witness statement.
“Obviously there was significant injury to the victim, and I’m confident she didn’t injure herself, but we can’t move forward without a witness or cooperating victim to provide evidence to support prosecution,” Hiland said.
Bell is the sole member of the Faulkner County Road Police Department, which has been under investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The investigation centers on the purchase of five guns in 2008, including four AR-15 rifles and ammunition.
“Until I have time to look at replacing the position I will demand service from the sheriff on road legal issues,” Scroggin said.
Attempts to contact Bell were unsuccessful.
Log Cabin reporter Courtney Spradlin contributed to this report.
Comments (38)
Add commentPreston=Sour Grapes
Dont try to sound like a big shot Preston. As far as making a demand, you should demand that your employees conduct themselves in a professional manner. Instead they act like a bunch of thugs and thieves. You should've demanded that Jeff Johnston not pave his own driveway or buy a $13,000.00 Barrett Sniper Rifle. It is a little too late to start acting as if you are doing the right thing. The deputies will have huge shoes to fill. I hear Bell worked like 16 hours so far this year.
Authority
Does a judge have the authority to make demands like that to the sheriff? Sounds to me like he's just puffing out his chest since the sheriff pulled the rug out from under his lone "road police" officer.
Of course he does.
The road police was organized because of the new ordinance and Deputy Bell was assigned/hired to do the job. Now, there's been no internal investigation of the alleged charges against Bell, and the Sheriff judged him and pulled Bell's credentials, so he is not able to enforce any laws. Makes the enforcement of the county ordinance fall on the Sheriff's deputies.
So, why was there no internal investigation? The prosecutor couldn't move forward with it because of the witness backtracking.
Has anyone ever had a crazy stalker? Tell us about their actions and behavior, please?
Let me get this straight-
Let me get this straight- This woman was hit so hard that she not only had a perforated eardrum but required 6 stitches to close an open gash on her face by a man that has more than 15 years experience as a trained officer. He EASILY outweighs this woman by 100 pounds yet he had to physically punch her in the face at least twice according to her documented injuries. And even if she was a "crazy stalker" as you have now labeled her (victim blaming) why would a man with Mr. Bells training need to use so much violence and force to subdue a girl half his size?
There was no need for an internal investigation. This isn't the first incident of violence at the hands of Mr. Bell thats come across Sheriff Byrds desk. This wasn't the first time its been brought to the Sheriffs attention that Mr. Bell behaves in a manner in which the Sheriffs office doesn't condone of its employees. This was NOT an isolated incident. Mr. Bell is a loose cannon indeed and the Sheriff was completely justified in his call.
For the love
For the love of peanut butter will someone please explain what the hell all of these "Road legal matters" are ? Starting to wonder if we just need to arrest all the roads and put them on the booked website. I thought over weight vehicles were the domain of the D.O.T or hiway police ? Just what kind of "other traffic stops" are you referring to ? is this not the S/O's office job ? too much smelling like dead fish going here...
Where exactly was he supposed to carry 4 assault weapons ? Why do I get the feeling that poo poo is about to strike the rotating air circulation device ?
We need Better
All of this and MORE is why we need to change the County Judge. We need our elected people to do better! Remember all of this come time to vote. We need good conservative people that will actually serve the people and not themselves and their friends. We need to change the county judge, county clerk and circuit clerk.
AGREE!!
I couldn't agree more. That is the best thing I have heard all in this mess.
Nope.
We need to keep them where they are. Re-elected.
Now, then, the next election, we need to vote Hiland out!
Don't kid yourselves
You can bet Scroggins will sleep well tonight knowing he didn't have to pull the trigger on that one. He's not blind, he's just a politician scratching backs like the rest of them. I bet he shook Byrds hand when it was all said and done.
Scroggin and Byrd shaking hands;
I'll give you 3 to 1 odds THAT didn't happen.