MANSFIELD — A Mansfield police
officer caught participating in an athletic event while on duty has been
suspended for 29 days, according to Police Chief Gary Hobbs.
Jercarlous Colbert’s suspension
is for “conduct unbecoming an officer,” Hobbs said in a release. It’s the
result of Colbert’s supervisor observing him play softball Wednesday while he
was supposed to be on patrol. He’ll be off work without pay.
Colbert, with the department
since Feb. 29, 2012, was formerly employed with the Shreveport Police
Department but resigned after he was arrested in 2011 for solicitation of
prostitution.
Colbert was investigated after
a complaint was received by the department alleging he solicited a prostitute
while off-duty. He was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center following
interviews with agents.
Police Chief Willie Shaw placed
him on leave and ordered an administrative investigation. The status of the
charge was unknown when the Mansfield Board of Aldermen hired Colbert at the
recommendation of former Police Chief Joe Pratt. Colbert had been with SPD for
less than year.
Colbert’s 29-day suspension
imposed by Hobbs is the maximum allowed without action by the Board of
Aldermen. Anything more would require Hobbs to make a recommendation on
Colbert’s continuing job status to the board for consideration
