Last week the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Winnfield Police Officer Jessie R Phillips, 58, of Winnfield.  Phillips has been a part-time officer for over 20 years.  He has been assigned as the Community Liaison Officer whose duties included planning and coordinating community events, acting as the bridge between community leaders, businesses, and the police department.  He has supported several annual community events including the Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial celebration, the Community Easter Egg hunt, Forest Festival, DugFest, Trunk or Treat, and Shop with a Cop.  Donations were sought from area businesses as well as boot drives throughout the year. Last year was a milestone as 125 kids were given Christmas through Shop with a Cop that may otherwise have not had  Christmas at all.  

According to GPSO officials, Phillips has been charged with theft over $1000 (Felony) misuse of funds, and Malfeasance (Felony) from alleged activities occurring in Grant Parish.  No further information has been released to the public or the Winnfield Police Department as this is still considered an open investigation.

At a special council meeting held Tuesday afternoon, the Winnfield City Council retired to executive session to discuss this developing story.  At the conclusion, Phillips has been placed on Administrative Leave.  

The Winnfield Police Department, while involved in the community events, did not have access to funding accounts as those were handled by the “No Child Left Behind”, a non-profit organization that supported these community events.

Chief Johnny Ray Carpenter stated that his department will continue to support this community and all of its events, to include the Shop with a Cop program.  “This will be my 20th year of providing Christmas to underprivileged children and that will not change.”  

The department reminds readers that an arrest is based on probable cause, however, an individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.