LITTLE ROCK - An Arkansas judge ordered the city of Little Rock to give an officer fired for fatally shooting a black motorist his badge and gun back as soon as possible, and says the city's police chief will lose his own badge and gun if officials don't comply.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox found the city in contempt and ruled it also faces a $10,000 daily fine if it doesn't fully reinstate Officer Charles Starks. Fox earlier this month ordered the city to reinstate Starks, who had been fired over the fatal shooting last year of Bradley Blackshire.
Starks' attorneys last week argued the city hadn't complied since Starks was only placed on a "relieved of duty" status. Fox said the city must return Starks to the status he had before Blackshire's shooting.
The judge said the city does not have to put him back to work as long as he's paid and faces no further penalties.
Starks fired at least 15 times through the windshield of a car Blackshire was driving in February.
Starks and another officer were attempting a motor vehicle stop at the time. Police commanders fired Starks in May, saying he violated department policy.