MANSFIELD — Mansfield
police Sgt. Billy Locke has been given a 15-day suspension without pay
following an off-duty weekend incident involving another officer.
The second officer, Lauren
Cross, was not disciplined because she is already on suspension for an earlier
unrelated incident. Mansfield aldermen on Monday are expected to consider a
recommendation to fire Cross.
Locke was punished for
violation of department policy addressing conduct unbecoming an officer. “As a
rule, police officers are held to a higher standard on and off duty,” Assistant
Chief Gary Hobbs said.
The disciplinary action
handed down to Locke was sparked by a dispute between him and Cross at a
Bossier City night club. Both were under the influence of alcohol. Bossier City
police responded to a call made by Cross, Hobbs said
No arrests were made.
Locke’s suspension. effective Wednesday. was decided after a Bossier City
police report was reviewed and the facts of the situation were evaluated, Hobbs
said.
This not the first time
Locke and Cross have been in trouble for off-duty behavior. They were suspended
in September for 10 days without pay for an incident that took place during a
Mansfield festival.