Arkansas Firefighters, Cops Face Review for Appearing in Political Ad

PINE BLUFF, Ark. (AP) -- A Pine Bluff alderman is being accused of running a political ad that showed city police officers and firefighters.

Alderman-elect Jack Hollingsworth complained to the Pine Bluff Civil Service Commission that his opponent, Dale Dixon, ran a newspaper ad with the city employees in uniform and the caption ``Dixon supports public safety.''

Hollingsworth said he's letting the commission handle the complaint even though he's already won the election.

``I've turned everything over to the commission and it's in their court now,'' said Hollingsworth, who takes office in January.

Civil Service Commission rules say that officers are not allowed to engage in political activity ``when they are on duty, in uniform or acting in an official capacity.'' Some of the officers pictured were in uniform and had their badges and firearms visible.

Now, the police officers and firefighters could be in hot water.

Deputy Police Chief Ivan Whitfield, who is acting as chief while Chief Daniel Moses recovers from an illness, denied directing or ordering the officers to pose with Dixon for the ad.

``That is absolutely, 100 percent totally false,'' he said.

Dixon also mailed residents in the 2nd Ward a campaign brochure that included a picture of a fire truck and a firefighter giving a ``thumbs up'' sign.

The commission rules only mention a state law about law enforcement officers not participating in political activity while on duty, but Fire Chief David Parsley said his department is bound by the same regulations.

He said the photo of the fire truck and firefighter on Dixon's brochure ``wasn't planned or anything'' and noted the truck was out ``doing Fire Department business'' at the time the picture was taken.

Civil Service Commission Secretary Cooter Failla said there may be a problem with the complaint going forward because Hollingsworth called him about it, but didn't file it in writing.