The mayor and Board of Aldermen of Senatobia, Mississippi, terminated Police Chief Harold Vanderford late Tuesday, days after reports revealed he had used racist slurs and degrading language in text messages. Vanderford, known as Hal, had submitted his resignation earlier that day, but the city council rejected it and voted unanimously to fire him, according to Alderman Chris McConnell.
The decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of the department following the June fatal shooting of Kohen Wiley, a Black toddler, by a white officer responding to a shoplifting call at Walmart. Vanderford and his department have faced criticism over their response to the incident and allegations of racially offensive conduct.
Reports by Mississippi Today, Verite News, and The New York Times documented more than a dozen instances of racist language used by Vanderford in text messages dating to last summer. The outlets published the uncensored messages one day before his termination, confirming their authenticity through multiple sources. Vanderford, who assumed the chief position last October, continued to exchange racist messages even after taking the role.
In some messages, Vanderford described experiencing a “racist moment” and expressed a desire for neighbors to hear him use a racial slur loudly at home. Several acquaintances confirmed the phone number linked to the messages belonged to Vanderford. On Monday, Alderman Demetrius Garrett expressed his readiness to dismiss Vanderford if the allegations proved true, and he moved for his termination on Tuesday.
Throughout the investigation, Vanderford did not respond to multiple calls and messages from reporters. The city has not appointed a permanent replacement, with Lt. Angelica Maze set to lead the department temporarily. The department remains under scrutiny over its handling of the June shooting, which remains under investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.
Additionally, Sgt. Hunter Foster, the officer involved in the shooting, has faced complaints of using racially offensive language with colleagues. Foster has been on leave since the incident, and there is no indication Vanderford took disciplinary action against him. The department’s internal issues continue to draw attention from local officials and community members.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
