RIPLEY – Police Chief Scott White apologized before a TV camera for an incident that took place concerning two off-duty officers on Saturday, April 24 in a parking lot in Ripley, in which several teenage girls said one of the officers offered them drugs and propositioned them.

One officer was suspended without pay and placed on probation in connection with the case. The second officer kept his job but has been disciplined. No charges have been filed.

Chief White apologized on camera in Ripley as part of a WREG-TV news program about the case. He declined to discuss the case Thursday.

The two officers were in a SUV with two other men when the incident took place, according to sworn statements from the girls.

Alyson Stroupe, then 17, was in a vehicle with one other teenage girl in a city parking lot near where the city pool used to be. Three other girls were in another vehicle in the same parking lot near the tennis courts. Stroupe told investigators in a sworn statement the men harassed the girls and made lewd comments to them.

Stroupe later called a friend for help. When she returned home and told her parents – Nathan and Debbie Stroupe -- what happened, they were furious.

Their anger triggered an investigation by the District Attorney’s office. As a result, city narcotics officer Steven Goolsby was suspended without pay for a week earlier this month in connection with the incident. He later resigned. Patrolman Chris Hodges received a departmental reprimand in connection with the case.

Sources said the investigation’s findings did not warrant stronger action being taken against either officer.

Tuesday night, July 6, Ripley aldermen went into executive session to discuss a personnel matter, then emerged and voted 4-0 to suspend Goolsby for one week without pay, effective immediately, and place him on six months probation. The suspension began immediately.

City officials declined to say at that time what caused the punishment, or discuss any aspects of the case.

Goolsby submitted a letter of resignation Thursday July 15, and the resignation was accepted the following day. Goolsby resigned of his own accord, and was not asked to resign, Chief White said.

Chief White said Friday: “I’m going to do my best to restore public trust in the Ripley Police Department. I want to make sure the public understands that the police are here to serve them and protect them. I welcome any input that might better the department.”