Nationwide — Harold Vanderford, the Police Chief in Senatobia, Mississippi, repeatedly used racist slurs in private text messages, including after he took over the department last fall. The messages surfaced following the fatal police shooting of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley, adding to concerns about how Black residents have been treated by the department. Vanderford, 60, is a Greenville native and has spent 29 years in law enforcement. Senatobia’s elected aldermen appointed him chief after removing his predecessor amid several controversies. At the time, Vanderford said he wanted to rebuild trust with the community and described his leadership style as “firm, fair and focused.”
Private text messages reportedly show a different side of his conduct. According to Mississippi Today, the messages covered 10 conversations that began last summer and continued after he became chief. The person who received them gave the messages to reporters and identified Vanderford as the sender. Three other people also confirmed that the phone number belonged to him.
Vanderford reportedly used the racial slur more than a dozen times in the messages. He referred to himself, a white friend, and a Black college athlete with the slur. In one exchange, he wrote about having a “racist moment.” In another, he said he “almost beat a nigger and white woman’s ass a few minutes ago.” He also wrote about being drunk while repeatedly saying the slur and said he hoped his neighbors heard him. On Thanksgiving, he wrote that he “just had a racist moment on Goodman Road,” a street in Southaven. He did not respond to calls, emails, or messages seeking comment.
The texts emerged as Senatobia faced scrutiny over the June shooting that killed Kohen Wiley. Officers had responded to a Walmart after Vellesiya Wiley and Latoya Ferrell were accused of stealing baby clothes and diapers. Police surrounded their vehicle with guns drawn. Wiley, who was holding her son, said she lifted him toward the officers as the vehicle drove away so they could see him. She then heard three or four gunshots, and Kohen was killed. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said officers tried to stop the vehicle after the driver allegedly drove toward them and nearly struck an officer.
The state investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not released body-camera or surveillance footage. The Wiley family hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who presented forensic evidence that he said suggested officers fired from the side of the vehicle. The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus has also asked the state attorney general for an update. Vanderford has not publicly addressed the shooting, and the family said he did not offer condolences.
Another Senatobia officer, Sgt. Hunter Foster, has also faced allegations involving racist remarks. Internal complaints accused him of making offensive comments toward co-workers, including Black officer Dexter Smith two days before the shooting. State records released in error identified Foster as the subject of the investigation. His attorney, Martin Zummach, said he was “very convinced” Foster would be cleared. Charles Taylor, executive director of the Mississippi NAACP, said racial slurs have no place in law enforcement. Senatobia Mayor Greg Graves did not respond to requests for comment.