STARKVILLE — A Starkville Police Department officer was arrested shortly after midnight Sunday after Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about an assault on Lilac Street.
Shakira Johnson, 26, of Starkville, has been charged with simple assault and disturbing the peace, according to a Wednesday night press release from OCSO. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Johnson is a police officer with the Starkville Police Department. She was sworn into the department at the end of May, according to SPD social media.
SPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Brandon Lovelady sent a statement to The Dispatch, saying the department immediately placed the arrested officer on administrative leave and opened an internal investigation upon learning of the alleged assault.
“The Starkville Police Department takes all allegations seriously and is committed to upholding the highest standards of accountability and transparency,” the statement reads. “We have been cooperating fully with the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office and strongly support their appropriate actions based on the findings of this investigation.”
Johnson was booked in Oktibbeha County Jail and has since been released after posting $2,000 bond.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
