Police Chief Who Ordered Cops to Abuse Forfeiture Laws Sentenced To Prison For Extortion, Bribery & Theft

By Warren Kulo
GulfLive
May. 02, 2014

JACKSON, Mississippi - 50-year-old Bruce Barlow was sentenced to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit extortion, bribery and theft while he was Chief of Police for the City of Mendenhall.

U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel McMullen announced the sentence Tuesday afternoon. Barlow will also spend three years on post-release supervision and will pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a July 10 hearing.

According to investigators, from January 2010 through July 2010, Barlow instructed Mendenhall police officers to pull over motorists and find ways to gain access into and search their vehicles. He also instructed his officers to seize cash at every arrest, including arrests for misdemeanor charges.

When Barlow was interviewed by FBI agents on March 7, 2013, he admitted to stealing money and property and allowing others to take property seized by the Mendenhall Police Department from the victims after an arrest or detention.

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