Governor Says Surgeon General Job Is Safe

After a recent arrest following a run-in with Little Rock police, Gov. Mike Beebe says that state Surgeon General Joe Thompson’s job is safe.

Thompson was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest – refusal to submit to arrest, attempting to influence a public servant, and use of force following a confrontation with a private security guard in his neighborhood. Subsequent police video and audio called into question police handling of Thompson’s arrest.

Rob Moritz with our content partner, the Arkansas News Bureau, reports:

Gov. Mike Beebe considers state Surgeon General Joe Thompson’s recent confrontation with police a personal matter and will not discipline the health officer, the governor’s spokesman said today.

Beebe came to his decision after reviewing audio and video of the encounter that led to Thompson’s arrest on misdemeanor charges, spokesman Matt DeCample said.

“They talked and … from our end the governor considers the matter resolved,” DeCample said. “He is the surgeon general and will remain so.”

Thompson, 49, was arrested March 31 after what began as a confrontation with a private security guard outside his home escalated into a shouting match with two police officers called to Thompson’s residence in the upscale Heights neighborhood of Little Rock.

Thompson is set for trial May 30.

You can read more at this link.