Police Chief Closes Business

Richwood Police Chief Johnny Cleveland allegedly went to a local Richwood business owner and reportedly ordered the establishment to be closed. In a video on social media, an individual that appeared to be Cleveland is seen confronting an unidentified person in front of several people inside the building. The person that is alleged to be the police chief of the town of Richwood seems to be telling the owner that he is shutting down the establishment. He is telling everyone inside to leave immediately. After his command, he has a verbal altercation with someone at the business. Cleveland is allegedly arguing with the person who does not appear in any footage, but the individual ordering the business to close appears to be wearing a Richwood police officer's uniform. There also appears to be the name "Cleveland" written on the shirt, as there seems to be a police-type radio apparatus on the person's waist. The person that appears to be Cleveland constantly tells the people inside, "let's go, get out" as he moves back and forth, forcefully people to leave. Cleveland allegedly tells the owner that he "told him not to open and that he meant that s----". The owner tells Cleveland that those inside were trying to get their refund, to which Cleveland ignores him and continues to order everyone out. Cleveland allegedly continues offering that he asked the owner not to do things, but the owner offered that Richwood's mayor, Gerald Brown, knew of what was going on. Cleveland asserted that he didn't care and offered that the owner can go to the Sheriff(OPSO) if he liked, but it wouldn't change his stance in the matter. The establishment's owner said that he felt threatened by Cleveland's actions, to which Cleveland allegedly said that he "didn't give a s---" and the situation continued to escalate. Cleveland, according to sources, is now restricted to desk duty, not a suspension, as he is embattled in legal matters in Richland Parish. According to Richwood Alderman Wysinger Cleveland, the town's board of Alderpersons took a 5-0 vote to place Cleveland on restriction with the concurrence of Mayor Brown and the town's attorney. Sources also say that the individual was within his legal rights to be open, as it is unclear why Cleveland allegedly ordered the business to close. Sources say that the community expects the mayor to make a statement, clarifying whether the alderperson's vote was overturned and that Cleveland can again act in his full capacity. Alderman Cleveland told the Monroe Dispatch that last year the board voted to have Chief Cleveland removed from office with a 3-2 vote. Alderman Cleveland also said that the board asked for a new police chief and a new attorney and CPA. As of press time, Mayor Brown has refused to take any action on the board's requests, as the requests have been on the board's agenda at every meeting since. This incident once again underscores the lingering conflict between Chief Cleveland and many in the community, while the mayor appears to remain silent.

Photo Onyx Lounge

Photo Richwood Alderperson Wysinger Clevland