US EditionOsceola Police Chief Under Investigation for Alleged Assault
An outside agency is reviewing the chief’s conduct after videos showed him slapping a man in a wheelchair, city officials said.
- On Tuesday, April 7, Osceola Mayor Joe Harris Jr. called for an independent review after a video surfaced showing Police Chief Robert 'Bobby' Ephlin slapping a disabled man in a wheelchair on Monday night.
- Ephlin was sworn in as police chief on March 26, 2026, less than 12 days before the incident during a police intervention at a neighborhood fight involving a 15-year-old boy.
- Danarius Williams, who has been paralyzed for 13 years, said Ephlin slapped and choked him when he approached officers to ask why his wife and son had been detained.
- Mayor Harris ordered an external agency to conduct the formal review to ensure facts are 'collected and evaluated in a fair, transparent, and accountable manner,' with appropriate actions promised.
- Williams said the incident added to community distrust in the department, while the city remains 'committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and public trust' pending findings.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Osceola mayor confirms resignation of city's police chief after video appears to show him slapping man in wheelchair
OSCEOLA, Ark. — After about 10 days on the job, Osceola Police Chief Robert "Bobby" Ephlin resigned Wednesday. His resignation comes after a video circulating online appears to show him slapping a man in a wheelchair.
Osceola police chief under investigation after viral video
Investigation underway after viral video shows Osceola police chief slap man in wheelchair (Photo K8 News) The newly hired police chief of Osceola is under investigation after a video circulating on social media appears to show him striking a man in a wheelchair. Osceola Mayor Joe Harris Jr. has called for an independent investigation into Police Chief Robert “Bobby” Ephlin following the incident, which reportedly occurred around 8 Monday. The v…
'He Smacked the Hell Out of Me': Video of an Arkansas Police Chief Slapping Man in Wheelchair Sparks an Independent Investigation
Less than two weeks into his new role, the Chief of Police of Osceola, Arkansas, faces an external investigation initiated by the mayor after he was
Video showing Osceola police chief slapping man in wheelchair prompts investigation | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
The recently appointed Osceola police chief is under investigation after an online video showed him slapping a man in a wheelchair, according to a social media post from the city.
'He smacked me': Osceola, AR investigates allegations police chief hit man in wheelchair
OSCEOLA, Ark. -- The City of Osceola, Arkansas, is investigating after a video allegedly shows the Osceola Police Chief assaulting a paraplegic man in a wheelchair. In a video sent to WREG, Chief Bobby Ephlin appears to be slapping a man in a wheelchair on the street and putting the man in a headlock. Mayor [...]
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