SEARCY, AR–Tuesday marks one week since the Searcy police chief resigned after agents from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Enforcement searched his home.
At the city’s first council meeting since then, the mayor announced they are advertising an opening for a new chief through multiple outlets. A police department spokesperson also wanted to ensure the public that despite the controversy, the department is still focusing on the city’s biggest case, the search for missing two-year-old, Malik Drummond.
Malik’s grandmother Nancy Payne keeps fliers showing the child’s face in reach at all times.
“I just want him back you know. A little boy don’t just vanish out of thin air.” she says.
Payne says she’s grateful his case remains a top priority roughly four months after he disappeared from his father’s home two streets away from Spring Park and even in the days following the police chief’s sudden resignation.
Sgt. Steve Hernandez from the Searcy Police Department says, “We want the public to know we are still here we are going to conduct business just as as we always have.”
Jeremy Clark stepped down from his post March 3rd, hours after ATF investigators searched his home.
Tuesday at the city’s first council meeting since Clark’s sudden departure, the mayor announced the city is taking resumes for his replacement, but officers say the case against the chief isn’t slowing their search for Malik.
Sgt. Hernandez says, “Of course right now the case involving Malik is our number 1 priority, it’s not taken us off course.”
The affirmation brings much needed relief for Payne.
“He is still out there and every time I see the heart for Malik, I say good, they haven’t forgot him,” she says.
She says she still calls investigators once or twice a week, asking for answers.
Payne says, “It’s still rough for me, but I’m holding together best I can, gotta be strong.”
The mayor re-iterated that the city cannot comment on the ongoing investigation into the ATF case against former Chief Jeremy Clark.
According to ATF investigators, Clark is being investigated for possible violations concerning firearms, abuse of power and controlled substances.
At the city’s first council meeting since then, the mayor announced they are advertising an opening for a new chief through multiple outlets. A police department spokesperson also wanted to ensure the public that despite the controversy, the department is still focusing on the city’s biggest case, the search for missing two-year-old, Malik Drummond.
Malik’s grandmother Nancy Payne keeps fliers showing the child’s face in reach at all times.
“I just want him back you know. A little boy don’t just vanish out of thin air.” she says.
Payne says she’s grateful his case remains a top priority roughly four months after he disappeared from his father’s home two streets away from Spring Park and even in the days following the police chief’s sudden resignation.
Sgt. Steve Hernandez from the Searcy Police Department says, “We want the public to know we are still here we are going to conduct business just as as we always have.”
Jeremy Clark stepped down from his post March 3rd, hours after ATF investigators searched his home.
Tuesday at the city’s first council meeting since Clark’s sudden departure, the mayor announced the city is taking resumes for his replacement, but officers say the case against the chief isn’t slowing their search for Malik.
Sgt. Hernandez says, “Of course right now the case involving Malik is our number 1 priority, it’s not taken us off course.”
The affirmation brings much needed relief for Payne.
“He is still out there and every time I see the heart for Malik, I say good, they haven’t forgot him,” she says.
She says she still calls investigators once or twice a week, asking for answers.
Payne says, “It’s still rough for me, but I’m holding together best I can, gotta be strong.”
The mayor re-iterated that the city cannot comment on the ongoing investigation into the ATF case against former Chief Jeremy Clark.
According to ATF investigators, Clark is being investigated for possible violations concerning firearms, abuse of power and controlled substances.
