Senatobia Board Terminates Police Chief After Rejecting Resignation Amid Racist Text Scandal

Key points

• The Senatobia Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to terminate Police Chief Harold Vanderford, rejecting a resignation letter he submitted earlier in the day.
• The decision followed reports by Mississippi Today, Verite News, and The New York Times that Vanderford used a racial slur more than a dozen times in text messages, including one where he described having a 'racist moment.'
• Vanderford took over the department in October 2025, less than a year after the city removed the previous chief following a controversial arrest of a 10-year-old Black boy.
• The firing occurs amid scrutiny over the June fatal shooting of one-year-old Kohen Wiley by Sgt. Hunter Foster during a shoplifting response at a local Walmart.
• Lt. Angelica Maze, a Black officer, has been appointed as the interim police chief pending the selection of a permanent replacement.

Background

Senatobia, a city in northern Mississippi with a population of approximately 8,500 and a 40% Black population, has faced repeated controversies involving police conduct against Black residents. In 2023, an officer arrested a 10-year-old Black boy for public urination, leading to probation. In 2024, an officer forced a Black woman from her car during a parking dispute. These incidents contributed to the removal of Chief Richard Chandler in July 2025. Vanderford was hired in October 2025, but his tenure was marked by the June 2026 shooting of Kohen Wiley and subsequent revelations of racist language within the department, including complaints against Sgt. Hunter Foster.

How outlets are covering it

While all sources agree on the facts of the termination, they emphasize different aspects of the fallout. Mississippi Today and The Guardian focus on the timeline of the investigation and the city’s initial defense of Vanderford, noting that Alderman Chris McConnell disavowed a prior statement supporting the chief. Action News 5 highlights the community reaction, quoting activist Patrick Lumumba who called the firing a victory but demanded further accountability. The Guardian and Action News 5 both cite civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who stated that while the firing was correct, it does not address the family’s demand for the release of video footage from the shooting. The sources also note that Mayor Greg Graves has not responded to requests for comment, and Alderman Demetrius Garrett has called for the mayor’s resignation.

Why it matters

The termination of Vanderford underscores the ongoing tensions between the Senatobia police department and its Black community. It highlights the failure of local leadership to address systemic issues, as evidenced by the city’s initial defense of the chief and the lack of disciplinary action against Sgt. Foster, who was accused of using racially offensive language. The case remains under investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, but the family of Kohen Wiley continues to demand transparency and access to evidence, citing the department’s history of racist conduct as a reason they cannot trust the current process.

What to watch

The Senatobia Board of Aldermen must now select a permanent replacement for Vanderford. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation will continue its probe into the shooting of Kohen Wiley, though the family has demanded the release of footage and a direct point of contact for updates. The Mississippi legislative Black caucus has called on state officials to take immediate action in the case. Additionally, community activists are expected to continue pushing for broader accountability within the department and city leadership, including potential calls for the mayor’s resignation.