Over the past decade, the Benton Police Department has faced several notable incidents involving officer misconduct. These include the fatal shooting of a suicidal teenager by Officer Kyle Ellison in 2016, which led to a lawsuit alleging excessive force and failure to train, initially resulting in a $32 million jury award that was later overturned. In 2018, Officer Jamol Jones was terminated for engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor and lying about it during the investigation. Additionally, in 2019, the department faced a lawsuit for failing to provide appropriate accommodations for a deaf individual, highlighting issues related to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. These cases underscore challenges in officer conduct, training adequacy, and adherence to federal disability laws within the department.
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