Oxford Aldermen to Consider Resignation of 2 OPD Officers Tuesday

By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

A request to accept the resignations of two officers in the Oxford Police Department will go before the Oxford Board of Aldermen Tuesday, June 4, during their regular meeting as part of the consent agenda.

While it is not unusual for police officers to resign for a number of reasons, earlier this week, the attorney representing the family of Dominique “Lucy” Clayton who was killed May 19 made a public claim that the two Oxford police officers have resigned “under duress” in the “aftermath” of Clayton’s murder.

Matthew Kinne

Former OPD officer Matthew Kinne was arrested May 21 and charged with Clayton’s murder. Police and family said the two were in a relationship despite Kinne being married. He was with OPD for four years before being terminated after his arrest.

He is being held at the Panola County Jail on no bond. OPD Interim Chief Jeff McCutchen released a statement prior to Kinne being denied bond saying that OPD was standing with the Clayton family and that Kinne was a “danger to the community” and should not be given a bond.

Attorney Carlos Moore was retained by the Clayton family shortly after her murder. Moore is the managing partner of the Cochran Law Firm-Mississippi Delta.

On Tuesday, May 28, Moore posted a statement on his Facebook page Wednesday that said his investigation had “confirmed the names of two Oxford Police Department Officers that have resigned in the aftermath” of Clayton’s murder. He did not release the names of the officers.

The same day Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill released a statement that she contacted Attorney General Jim Hood to request his office conduct an internal investigation but did not elaborate as to the specifics for the reason of the investigation. She also said no action has been taken against any other police officer other than Kinne in connection with Clayton’s murder.

There is nothing on next week’s agenda regarding the termination of any police officers.

On Thursday, Moore told Hottytoddy.com that he did not know the exact reasons the police were “forced to resign.”

Since the resignations are on the Board of Aldermen’s consent agenda, it’s possible there will be no discussion as to the reasons since the board approves all items on the consent agenda at one time with one vote. However, an alderman can request to remove an item for discussion.

Also on the consent agenda is a request to hire two full-time officers.