The Board of Aldermen in Senatobia, Mississippi, voted unanimously Tuesday night to fire Police Chief Harold “Hal” Vanderford, rejecting a resignation letter he had submitted earlier in the day. The city’s decision follows reporting by Mississippi Today, Verite News and The New York Times revealing that Vanderford routinely used racist slurs and degrading language regarding Black people in text messages. The termination comes as the department faces national scrutiny over the June fatal shooting of Kohen Wiley, a Black toddler.
According to state authorities, officers surrounded a vehicle in a Walmart parking lot following a call regarding stolen diapers and baby clothes. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation stated that “the driver drove in the direction of the officers, almost striking one,” prompting at least one officer to shoot. The gunfire killed Kohen, who was being held by his mother, and wounded driver Latoya Ferrell.
The officer involved, Sgt. Hunter Foster, was placed on leave shortly after the shooting. Prior to the incident, Foster faced at least two complaints regarding racially offensive language toward colleagues, with no record of disciplinary action taken by Vanderford, as reported by Mississippi Today.
Vanderford, 60, who assumed the chief role last October, sent texts containing a racist slur more than a dozen times across 10 separate conversations, according to reports. In one message, he noted having a “racist moment,” while in another he claimed he “almost beat” a Black man, using a slur. He also texted that he had been loudly repeating the slur at home in hopes his neighbors heard him.
Multiple acquaintances confirmed the phone number associated with the text messages belonged to Vanderford. The aldermen previously held closed-door sessions with the chief. Following an August 25 meeting, a public statement attributed to the mayor and board expressed confidence in Vanderford, noting he provided “sincere” answers.
However, board members later backed away from that statement. McConnell clarified that the board had not voted on the statement, and Alderman Demetrius Garrett echoed that point on Monday, adding that he asked Mayor Greg Graves to step down.
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