Newly appointed Arkansas police chief Robert Ephlin resigns after viral video caught him slapping man in wheelchair, putting him in headlock

An Arkansas police chief has resigned after just 13 days on the job following a disturbing incident caught on camera. Osceola Police Chief Robert Ephlin handed in his resignation to Mayor Joe Harris Jr. after a video went viral showing him slapping a man in a wheelchair and putting him in a headlock during a confrontation at the Hyatt Apartments in Osceola.

The video allegedly showed Ephlin standing over Danarius Williams after police were called to the scene. Tensions rose between the two men, with Williams admitting to using strong language towards the chief. However, Williams claimed he did not touch Ephlin before the chief slapped him and put him in a headlock. Williams, who is a paraplegic, expressed fear for his life during the incident and was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

In his resignation letter, Ephlin cited the best interest of his family as the reason for stepping down. Mayor Harris Jr. expressed his anger upon seeing the video and emphasized that Ephlin’s actions do not reflect the man he knows personally. Despite the incident, Harris acknowledged Ephlin’s positive impact on the community, especially with his work at the local school.

In response to Ephlin’s resignation, Harris appointed Wells Scaggs as the interim Chief of Police and called for an independent review of the incident by an outside agency. The Mayor emphasized that the community will not be defined by the former chief’s actions and remains committed to moving forward positively.

The shocking incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability within the Osceola Police Department. As the community grapples with the aftermath of the incident, there is a renewed focus on ensuring transparency and professionalism within law enforcement to maintain trust and safety for all residents.