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Former officer faces Webster Co. judge

By Cory Stark - bio | email | Twitter
Posted by Sarah Harlan - email

PROVIDENCE, KY (WFIE) - A former Providence, Kentucky police officer had to go before a Webster County judge this week, charged with official misconduct.  

A criminal complaint filed with the Webster County Court claims former Providence Police Officer James Oakley used the authority of his position to engage in sexual conduct.

Providence Police officers are sworn to protect and serve, but on June 20, Police Chief Brent McDowell said his department received a disturbing phone call.

"A lady had called over here and accused Mr. Oakley of criminal activity," McDowell said.

In the compliant, a Providence, Kentucky woman claims that Officer James Oakley was at her residence investigating a prowler complaint.

At that time, the complaint said Oakley used the authority of his position to engage in sexual conduct with the victim.

Police Chief Brent McDowell said the night his department received the complaint, he placed Oakley on administrative leave.

A few hours later, Oakley resigned from the force.

"He advised me and the sargent that he was not going to work for a department that did not back him," McDowell said. "And it wasn't about standing behind him or backing him. I put him on administrative leave until the investigation was over with."

In response to the alleged incident, the Providence Police Department has ordered two voice-activated recording devices for officers to wear on duty.

"We want to maintain a professional police department, and relationships with the public where they are not afraid if police come up to your call," McDowell said.

KSP is conducting the investigation of the incident.

Oakley's next court appearance is a pre-trial conference scheduled for September 29.

In this weeks' court appearance, former Officer James Oakley pleaded not guilty to the charge of official misconduct.

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