The city of McComb is taking former police Lt. Mark Anderson to court in an attempt to retrieve city-issued property still in his possession, according to a motion filed in Pike County Court Thursday.
The filing states the property was temporarily issued to Anderson as a police department employee and “he has refused to return the property” and “wrongfully detains” the items still in his possession.
The property the city is seeking to regain includes a Glock 21 handgun, a Taser, Motorola radio, handcuffs, a bullet-proof vest and helmet, badge, a Garmin GPS navigational device, some clothing and other assorted items.
“One of the reasons we’re asking for the equipment to be returned is due to the liability issue out there if that equipment is used or stolen,” City Administrator Quordiniah Lockley said Friday. “That equipment is on inventory and we have to give an account of our inventory. And no citizen should be in possession of city equipment.”
The filing also requests the issue of a summons to Anderson to appear before the court and for the court to determine the rightful owner of the property.
Anderson has a pending federal lawsuit against the City of McComb, in which he alleges charges of false arrest and imprisonment and malicious prosecution.
The suit dates back to a September 2009 incident when Anderson was arrested on charges of joyriding and impersonating an officer.
However, those charges were remanded to his file two months later.
Anderson had resigned from the police force a month earlier, but he reported for work after former Mayor Zach Patterson announced Anderson’s intent to return at a city board meeting.
