Accuser of former CPD chief speaks to council following officer demotion

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — “An appauling lack of accountablity.”

Those words came Monday night from one of the women who accused former Charleston Police Chief Tyke Hunt of inappropriate sexual behavior.

Jenny Harless spoke in front of Charleston City Council for the first time since now Corporal Hunt’s second demotion was announced last week.

Harless said Monday that she is disappointed that he was only demoted and suspended.

In August of 2023, Hunt resigned as chief and apologized. He admitted he used city property for personal business.

Monday, Harless told council that in that incident, he undressed, exposed himself and pulled her on top of him inside his office in City Hall in 2022.

Shortly after his resignation, another allegation was made against the chief involving another woman.

Hunt was placed on administrative leave in September 2023 while the seven-month investigation was underway. Last week, the chief said that Hunt was demoted and suspended.

“The role of a chief of police is is to ensure the safety and protection of all individuals, yet Chief Hunt’s actions have caused irreparable harm to my mental health. The failure to hold him accountable sends a dangerous message that abuse of power and dishonesty are acceptable within the Charleston Police Department,” Harless said in a prepared statement.

After the council meeting Monday night, Charleston Police Chief Scott Dempsey said Hunt is on suspension status right now and will likely go back on medical leave once that ends.

Meaning that he likely won’t be back in uniform before he is set to retire in June, only on the payroll.

“This now has paved a way for Cpl. Hunt to get full medical or non-Medical retirement at the taxpayer’s expense. Any other organization or corporation would have found these acts terminable offenses,” councilmember Shannon Snodgrass said in a prepared statement.

Councilwoman Snodgrass said that she wants the investigation into Hunt’s behavior released to the public. It involves formal complaints from Harless and a former Charleston Police Officer Chelsea McCoy.

McCoy filed a complaint with the City of Charleston in late August 2023 alleging that she was pressured into having sex by then-Sergeant Hunt during her application process. She also alleges that she failed her polygraph test to be certified into the police force, but Hunt passed her anyway.

“The public deserves to know how these allegations involving sexual misconduct on public property, misuse of public devices and altering a polygraph test received only a suspension and a demotion. The fact that Cpl. Hunt was not fired has lowered the bar to an all time low for future disciplinary actions of any city employee. The liability to the city moving forward is immeasurable,” Snodgrass said.

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