Will there ever be accountability?

By: Jason Schiffman

Scorched Earth Media Group

Lexington City Council Votes to Fire Police Chief Troy Sims Amidst Multiple Allegations

In a heated and pivotal decision, the Lexington, Missouri City Council voted 7-1 to officially terminate Police Chief Troy Sims, marking the end of a controversial tenure plagued by allegations of misconduct and questionable leadership. This termination follows a long history of similar behavior, including Sims’ termination from the Orrick, Missouri Police Department, where he had also filed a wrongful termination lawsuit—now a course of action his attorney suggests they will follow again in Lexington.

Sims, who has been accused of harassment, stalking, and other forms of intimidation towards both citizens and fellow city officials, has repeatedly found ways to maintain his employment in various Missouri police departments, despite consistent claims of improper conduct. His pattern of alleged abuses has raised serious concerns about his ability to serve as a protector of the community, yet he continues to deny all accusations.

The timing of Sims’ termination is particularly noteworthy, as it occurred just one day after Sims took to Facebook to defend his involvement in the high-profile case of Timothy Audsley, a Lexington resident who had been wrongfully arrested on serious charges of rape and possession of a firearm while in possession of narcotics. These charges, which Sims' department pursued, were ultimately proven false. Though the City Council’s official reason for Sims' termination did not include mention of the Audsley case, the controversy surrounding it seems to cast a long shadow over Sims’ already troubled tenure.

The city's attorney outlined nine distinct charges of insubordination and misconduct as grounds for the termination, including repeated defiance of city officials, unauthorized actions, and reckless disregard for public safety. However, local citizens are pressing for more transparency, especially in light of the mounting evidence that suggests Sims' actions went far beyond these charges. The Missouri Police Officers Standards and Training Program has launched an investigation into Sims' conduct, yet the people of Lexington are calling for quicker and more definitive accountability.

Sims’ involvement in the Timothy Audsley case is particularly concerning. In a recent deposition, Sims was caught lying multiple times under oath, as revealed by Michael Gunter, Audsley’s defense attorney. Sims had directed the Lexington Police Department to seize and access Mr. Audsley's phone data without properly filing a warrant return, making the search illegal under Missouri law. This was just one of many procedural errors Sims committed, raising serious doubts about the legitimacy of the evidence used to initially charge Audsley. Moreover, an affidavit that Sims sent to the prosecuting attorney was never officially filed in court, further muddying the waters and exposing how deeply Sims’ misconduct extended into the legal proceedings.

In fact, Sims held onto critical evidence for over four days before even entering it into police records, another violation of standard procedure. The outcome of this case, with all charges against Mr. Audsley being dropped, not only exonerates an innocent man but also exposes the deep flaws in Sims’ leadership and the functioning of the Lexington Police Department under his watch.

Local residents are outraged, with many voicing their frustration on social media platforms like the Lexington Community Facebook page. They question how a chief with such a tainted record could continue to hold power, and they fear that Sims—like so many officers before him—may simply move to another town and resume his unchecked behavior. This situation has prompted a broader conversation about Missouri's Police Officer Bill of Rights, which many argue is being abused to shield bad cops like Sims, allowing them to evade accountability for actions that damage the very communities they are sworn to protect.

As the investigation into Sims continues, and with appeals likely to be filed by those he testified against, the question remains: How much longer will Missouri allow such officers to escape true justice? The people of Lexington are demanding answers and pushing for systemic changes to prevent this from happening again. The termination of Sims is just the beginning—residents want justice, not just for Timothy Audsley, but for every citizen who has been affected by Sims’ reign of misconduct.