COLUMBUS – A police officer arrested last month for driving under the influence while off duty has been suspended without pay for 30 days, multiple city officials confirmed to The Dispatch.
Mississippi Highway Patrol stopped Jeremy Lamar Harris, 27, on Highway 69, charging him with speeding and DUI, according to Lowndes County Adult Detention Center booking information. He was booked in the jail at 12:19 a.m. June 23 and released later that day on misdemeanor bonds totaling $1,147.
The city council approved a 30-day suspension for Harris during an executive session Tuesday at Police Chief Joseph Daughtry’s recommendation, according to several city officials, most of whom confirmed the information to The Dispatch anonymously.
Vice Mayor Joseph Mickens, speaking to The Dispatch on Wednesday, said he supported the chief’s recommended discipline but added Harris is on a “very short leash.”
“He represents the city of Columbus,” Mickens said. “… We’re supposed to be above the law, not out here breaking the law. … He has hurt and disappointed quite a few people.”
Daughtry, when reached Wednesday, would not comment specifically on Harris’ suspension because it is a personnel matter. He did speak generally about discipline in his department.
“A lot of these guys make mistakes,” Daughtry said. “We’ve got to be consistent with our discipline … and have progressive discipline. We just have to be fair about it.”
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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