The Mayflower Police Chief is on leave and under investigation because witnesses reported that a convicted felon provided back up to Mayflower officers during traffic stops.
John Brinkley is well known to Faulkner County Deputies, they've arrested him a couple of times. "At that time he saw John Brinkley in a uniform, had "canine unit" on the back of the uniform. He had a duty belt on with a gun on his side. He had a radio in his possession and a bullet proof vest," says Lieutenant Matt Rice with the Faulkner County Sheriff's Department.
Brinkley's personal truck is outfitted with blue lights and the investigator actually saw them deployed during a traffic stop. Since Brinkley is a convicted felon on probation and not eligible to be an officer, they arrested him on the spot.
Those who live in Mayflower are questioning how this could happen. We asked the same questions of Mayflower Police; Sergeant Robert Alcon says Chief Richard Shaw is on paid leave while an investigation into the matter is underway. He declined to comment in detail. He did say Brinkley was not officially a part of the Mayflower Police Department but he managed to somehow fool them.
Deputies say Brinkley was driving on a revoked license. His felony conviction had to do with hot checks but he is behind bars facing more charges including felon in possession of a firearm, impersonating a police officer and possession of a blue light.
