PEARL, Miss. (WLBT) – A Richland police officer who was fired after making “derogatory slurs” but was then hired by the Pearl Police Department is “no longer employed by the City of Pearl.”

In June 2024, Jeremy Rast was relieved of his duties after making “derogatory slurs.”

This after he was captured on video telling a group of Hispanic men to “go back to Mexico” and to “get the **** out of Richland.”

However, in January 2025, the Pearl Police Department announced that they would be hiring Rast.

The Pearl Police Department received significant pushback from the community for the hire.

Pearl Police Chief Nick McLendon answered questions and concerns at a Pearl community meeting soon after the hire was announced, but stood by his decision.

Chief McLendon also stated, at the time, that Rast would be required to go through more training before he returned to the line of duty.

However, on Thursday afternoon, Chief McLendon stated that Rast “did not complete the employment process and is therefore no longer employed by the City of Pearl.”

Due to it being a “personnel matter,” McLendon would not comment further.

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