Little Rock Approves $450,000 Settlement in Former Officer's Lawsuit

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The Little Rock Board of Directors voted to approve a $450,000 settlement, ending a nearly five-year legal dispute involving former police officer David Mattox. Mattox sued the city and former Little Rock Police Chief Keith Humphrey in 2021, alleging mistreatment within the department after he was terminated in 2020 for participating in an unauthorized investigation involving his wife as an alleged victim.

Why it matters

The settlement highlights ongoing tensions between law enforcement and city leadership, as well as the challenges police departments face in balancing policies, public trust, and officer conduct. The case also raises questions about how municipalities handle internal investigations and disciplinary actions against officers.

The details

According to the department, Mattox participated in aspects of a case involving a man accused of exposing himself to women, including searches and the suspect's arrest, despite department policy prohibiting officers from working cases involving family members. Mattox was terminated, but later appealed the decision and received a 30-day suspension instead. He later left the department. Mattox was one of four officers who filed suit against the city, but the settlement cost will be split between the city and the Arkansas Municipal League.

• Mattox sued the city and former Little Rock Police Chief Keith Humphrey in 2021.
• Mattox was terminated from the department in 2020.
• The case had been scheduled for a jury trial this year, but the city and the Arkansas Municipal League agreed to settle.

What’s next

The settlement ends the nearly five-year legal dispute, but it's unclear if the four officers involved will receive equal shares of the $450,000 payout.