UPDATE:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Last week the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) started a no-confidence vote in the leadership of Little Rock Police Chief Keith Humphrey. The vote came back today as 83.8% voted no confidence with 89.2% of voting members casting ballots

ORIGINAL STORY:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — In a historic decision, the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), will start a no-confidence vote in the leadership of Chief Keith Humphrey.

This comes after a meeting Tuesday night where 180 members voted unanimously to send a no-confidence vote to the full membership.

“It is with a heavy heart that the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police takes this action,” said FOP President officer Ronnie Morgan.

Morgan read a brief statement after the meeting, surrounded by officers ranking up to Assistant Chiefs of Police.

“We believe the evidence demonstrates that Chief Humphrey has consistently and intentionally acted in a manner that falls short of the basic standards of conduct required of every other officer on our force,” Morgan said.

The FOP cited concerns with Chief Humphrey that have been building for weeks. Multiple lawsuits by current officers have been filed against Chief Humphrey and city records revealed he pushed ahead a job candidate who lied on their application.

“The list of allegations against Chief Humphrey seems to grow every day,” Morgan said. “These cases range from violation of department rule, sexual harassment, and vengeful, illegal, retaliatory actions against officer, to improper contact with applicants for a department position.”

Chief Humphrey declined to comment.

Last week, Mayor Frank Scott Jr. announced he plans to start an independent review into the police department.

“Understand that this review is not about one individual or one organization. It is an attempt to provide insight about any potential concerns with action, behaviors, or decisions made,” Scott said in a pre-recorded video announcement.

That independent review hasn’t started.

FOP members began casting their ballots on Tuesday and voting will continue through next week.

Historically the vote is a symbolic move and action is ultimately up to city leaders. According to the City Board of Directors, the Mayor has the final hiring and firing power of the Police Chief.

The FOP represents 539 members who are currently on the Little Rock Police force, that’s more than 95 percent of the force.

Full news presser down below from the Fraternal Order of Police

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (News release) – Chief of Police Keith Humphrey continues to be embroiled in numerous lawsuits, controversies, and investigations related to unethical and potentially illegal actions taken under the color of authority. As a result, the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police, an organization serving those who dedicate their lives to protecting and safeguarding our community, has for the first time in eighteen years requested its membership to vote on a Resolution of No Confidence in the Chief of Police.

Ronnie Morgan, the president of the local FOP, said, “This was not an easy decision to make but Chief
Humphrey’s behavior has left us no choice. The men and women who serve and protect our
community deserve accountable, transparent leadership that can be trusted to follow strict ethical
rules and put public safety ahead of the destructive politics of personal agendas. Chief Humphrey is
not above the law or above normal standards of ethics”

In a letter to its members, the Little Rock FOP noted:

“Evidence indicates that Chief Keith Humphrey has repeatedly misused or exceeded his authority, violated department policies, wrongfully attacked his subordinate officers, and tarnished hard-earned reputations in an attempt to evade accountability for his actions. In short, he has fallen short of the basic standards of conduct required of every other officer on our force. After exhausting other remedies, we see little progress in addressing the Chief’s behavior. So, it is with a heavy heart that the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police Executive Board now requests your input on the question of whether you have confidence in Chief of Police Keith Humphrey to continue to lead our department.”

A Resolution of No Confidence symbolizes the belief that Police Chief Humphrey has failed the
community he is sworn to protect.

”Chief Humphrey should be held to the same, if not higher standards, than any other member of this department. It’s time for those with authority to address this situation to act. Failure to do so quickly ultimately threatens the safety and well-being of our
officers and the city,” Ronnie Morgan said.

UPDATE:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police will move forward with putting a vote of no confidence in Chief Keith Humphrey out to members.

Original Story:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock’s Fraternal Order of Police, will meet tonight to make a big decision about the city’s police chief.

They plan to decide whether or not to vote of no confidence Chief Keith Humprey.

This will be the first members can sit down to talk about Cheif Keith Humphrey and if they have confidence in his leadership.

This has been building up in the past few weeks.

 We’ve seen the FOP be vocal, asking for an outside investigation into the cheif.

 That all stems from multiple lawsuits filed by current officers against Humphrey.

 Claims in those suits range from abuse of power to retaliation.

City records have also revealed that the chief pushed ahead a job candidate who lied on their application.

Because of COIVD-19 restrictions this won’t be a full meeting.

Here is the full press release after the meeting of the FOP:

Little Rock, Arkansas (News release) – Chief of Police Keith Humphrey continues to be embroiled in numerous lawsuits, controversies, and investigations related to unethical and potentially illegal actions taken under the color of authority.

As a result, the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police, an organization serving those
who dedicate their lives to protecting and safeguarding our community, has for the first time in eighteen years requested its membership to vote on a Resolution of No Confidence in the Chief of Police.

Ronnie Morgan, the president of the local FOP, said, “This was not an easy decision to make but Chief
Humphrey’s behavior has left us no choice.

The men and women who serve and protect our community deserve accountable, transparent leadership that can be trusted to follow strict ethical rules and put public safety ahead of the destructive politics of personal agendas. Chief Humphrey is not above the law or above normal standards of ethics”

In a letter to its members, the Little Rock FOP noted: “Evidence indicates that Chief Keith Humphrey has repeatedly misused or exceeded his authority, violated department policies, wrongfully attacked his subordinate officers, and tarnished hard-earned reputations in an attempt to evade accountability for his actions.

In short, he has fallen short of the basic standards of conduct required of every other officer
on our force. After exhausting other remedies, we see little progress in addressing the Chief’s behavior.

So, it is with a heavy heart that the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police Executive Board now requests your input on the question of whether you have confidence in Chief of Police Keith Humphrey to continue to lead our department.” A copy of the letter can be found on our Facebook page.

A Resolution of No Confidence symbolizes the belief that Police Chief Humphrey has failed the
community he is sworn to protect. ”Chief Humphrey should be held to the same, if not higher
standards, than any other member of this department. It’s time for those with authority to address
this situation to act. Failure to do so quickly ultimately threatens the safety and well-being of our
officers and the city,” Ronnie Morgan said.