By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Cordova Police Chief Jason Hare has resigned following allegations that he sexually harassed an 18-year-old dispatcher inside the police department, according to city officials.
Mayor Jeremy Pate confirmed Monday that Hare, a husband and father, stepped down just four months after taking the job. In a statement, Pate said the city is aware of the allegations but declined to discuss personnel matters, adding, “We take all reports of employee misconduct seriously and respond promptly and thoroughly.”
Pate said the city’s investigation is administrative only, not criminal.
AL.com obtained department surveillance video from August 26, 2025, allegedly showing Hare interacting inappropriately with the teenage employee. The footage shows the dispatcher seated at her desk when Hare approaches. He appears to touch her hair, lean over her shoulder, and at one point place his hands around her neck in what appears to be a playful but inappropriate gesture.
There is no audio in the video.
A family member told AL.com the teen did not report the chief, saying she was “scared to death” because it was her first job and the alleged behavior involved her superior. Another employee who saw the video reportedly alerted supervisors, prompting the city’s inquiry.
“She wasn’t going to say anything because she didn’t know what to do,” the family member said.
Efforts to reach Hare for comment were unsuccessful.
The Cordova City Council has not yet announced who will serve as interim police chief as the administrative investigation continues.