HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -
A Hattiesburg police officer is on suspension indefinitely for reportedly
refusing to apologize to Mayor Johnny DuPree regarding a traffic incident last
week.
Sources both inside and outside HPD tell News Seven that the
officer apparently sounded his siren after pulling up behind a car blocking the
right-of-way on Hall Avenue . The driver of the car was talking to an occupant
of another car that was pulled off on the shoulder of the road. We're
told the occupant of that second car was Mayor DuPree. We're also told the
driver of the car blocking the road pulled onto the shoulder allowing the
officer to pass.
According to individuals with knowledge of the case, Chief Frazier
Bolton suspended the officer after he refused an order to apologize to the
mayor. HPD spokesman, Lt. Jon Traxler, confirmed the officer was
suspended for insubordination but refused to discuss details of the
incident. Traxler says the officer will remain suspended until internal
affairs completes their investigation.