Mark McClure
Falmouth Police Sergeant Mark McClure was arrested in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 9 on a charge of Assault Fourth Degree Domestic Violence for an incident at his home in Pendleton County.
Pendleton County Deputy Sheriff Nathan Reinhardt responded to the call with Falmouth Police providing back up which is normal procedure for county domestic violence calls.
Pendleton County Chief Deputy Marty Hart said, “The investigation is continuing and it would be referred to the Commonwealth of Kentucky Attorney’s Office.”
Hart also was clear that the Falmouth Police Department has been fully cooperative with the investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office confiscated personal firearms and the Falmouth Police Department retained McClure’s service weapon. It was an action that City of Falmouth Attorney Brandon Voelker confirmed.
“The city has his service weapon,” he said
Kentucky Revised Statute 15.520 is a police Bill of Rights that give law enforcement officers consideration when facing situations as McClure finds himself.
Voelker told Falmouth Outlook that McClure is “suspended without pay” and noted KRS 15.520 subsection 6c that prohibits the city of making any further comment at this time.
It says, “(c)When an officer has been charged with a violation of law enforcement procedures, no public statements shall be made concerning the alleged violation by any person or persons of the employing agency or the officer so charged, until final disposition of the charges.”
Mayor Ron Stinson’s role changes how he responsd to any other city employee versus city police. He becomes the final say if there is an appeal of the suspension. As a result, the mayor’s office does not have a role in the initial action because of it being final step in any potential appeal of the “suspended without pay” action.
Pendleton County Sheriff’s Office obtained a warrant for the security cameras located at the residence owned by Steven Jenkins and rented by McClure and his girlfriend. The video recording is providing a clearer version of how the events unfolded and the actions that were taken by McClure.
Because she has worked with McClure on several cases, County Attorney Stacey Sanning said, “I am indeed recusing myself. I have to request another county attorney to agree to take the case and then the attorney general will appoint them to take the case.”
To avoid an appearance of a conflict of interest, Sanning added, “I have not been involved in any charging decisions nor will I be involved in any respect except to get a special prosecutor appointed.”