City hasn't followed order to give Little Rock cop his job back, attorney says

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — An attorney wants Little Rock city officials held in contempt of court for not complying with a judge's order to reinstate a fired police officer.

A motion for contempt filed Friday in Pulaski County Circuit Court says that officer Charles Starks has not been issued his badge, gun or identification since returning to the department. Attorneys representing the city told Starks' attorney, Robert Newcomb, that Starks has been placed on "relieved of duty" status, the motion says. That designation, according to the motion, is typically used for officers who face disciplinary action or are under investigation.

"What bothers me about it is that the chief of police and the mayor want officer Starks to be unarmed," Newcomb said. As far as I'm concerned, if something happens to officer Starks, that's the mayor's fault and the chief's fault."

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox on Jan. 2 ordered the police department to reinstate Starks, who was fired last year over the fatal shooting of Bradley Blackshire. Newcomb argues in the contempt motion that the city has not complied with the order because Starks has not been fully reinstated. The motion asks for Mayor Frank Scott Jr. and Police Chief Keith Humphrey to be fined $500 per day until Starks resumes "normal" duties.

"I am not asking that to come out of the taxpayers pocket, I am asking the chief any mayor to personally pay it until they pay the court order," Newcomb said.

The order reinstating Starks also retroactively suspended him for 30 days without pay and reduced his salary to that of an entry-level officer.

Little Rock asked Fox to stay his order but Fox denied the request Friday. Fox ordered the city to comply with his order by the close of business Thursday.

Starks fatally shot Blackshire on Feb. 22. Blackshire was driving a vehicle that had been reported stolen when Starks pulled him over at West 12th Street and Rodney Parham Road. Police said the vehicle was stopped when Blackshire, 30, accelerated and hit Starks. Starks then opened fire.

Prosecutors cleared Starks of any criminal wrongdoing but the police department fired him in May after an internal investigation. A letter of termination says that Starks violated the department's use-of-force policy. The Little Rock Civil Service Commission upheld the firing.

The court order reinstating Starks says that his actions, under Arkansas law, "were those of a reasonable certified law enforcement officer ... in an emergency situation." But it goes on to say that a number of Starks' decisions leading up to the killing were "illogical" and set the stage for a deadly confrontation.

A hearing has been set for the motion for January 21st.

KATV reached out to attorney's representing the city of Little Rock. They will release an official response to the motion Monday.