One Ozark officer resigns, two cleared of wrongdoing after underage drinking complaint

OZARK - Two of three Ozark Police Department officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing involving an incident in which an underage girl was drinking, while the third officer resigned before any disciplinary action took place.

City of Ozark Personnel Director Melissa Robinson confirmed former Ozark Officer Josh Robertson resigned amid allegations he was in the vicinity where an underage girl may have gotten drunk earlier this month.

Two other officers, Cpl. Jesse Kellum and Officer Michael Bryan, were cleared of any wrongdoing in relation to the incident, she said.

“An investigation took place to see whether the allegations were founded or not founded. The one that possibly would have had disciplinary action resigned,“ Robinson said. “I don’t like to provide names because people tend to remember the allegations and not the fact someone has been cleared, but that information is public record.“

The officers were placed on routine administrative leave earlier this month after Ozark police officials received information the officers may have been involved in the incident.

While Ozark Police Chief Tony Spivey confirmed there was an investigation underway, the Dothan Eagle submitted an open records request under the Freedom of Information Act last week after he said the outcome of the investigation would not be made public.

In a state attorney general’s opinion, the disciplinary action inside a government employee’s personnel file is listed as a public record.