PEARL, Miss. (WJTV) – Pearl Police Chief Nick McLendon said an officer has been fired amid a theft investigation.

McLendon said he became aware of theft allegations involving the officer on Monday, November 18. An internal investigation was authorized, and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) was contacted to conduct an outside investigation regarding the missing money.

The police chief said the unidentified officer was placed on administrative leave. During a special board meeting on November 21, McLendon said the officer’s employment was terminated by the Board of Aldermen on his recommendation.

“To date, the officer in question has not been charged with any crime and should be presumed innocent until proven guilty under the law. But as an employment matter, the City must be concerned with even the slightest appearance of impropriety — and especially in the area of law enforcement. As the leader of the Pearl Police Department, I am deeply committed to this profession and to promoting constitutional, proactive, and accountable policing. Transparency and accountability are central to our mission,” said McLendon.

The case is still under investigation by MBI.