A brief tenure as police chief in Cordova ended abruptly this week following questions about conduct captured on video.

The city council accepted Jason Hare's resignation Tuesday night, just one day before a video surfaced showing an interaction between Hare and a woman, ABC 33/40 reported. Mayor Jeremy Pate read Hare's resignation letter aloud during the meeting, dated October 6, before naming Harold Cox as interim chief.

Hare stepped down after serving only four months in the position. The departure came amid what Pate described as "chatter on the internet" regarding an incident involving the former chief.

Video Shows Unwanted Physical Contact

The video sent to ABC 33/40 depicts an interaction that Mayor Pate confirmed involves Hare and an unidentified woman. Footage shows Hare approaching the woman and patting her head, prompting her to swat him away.

The clip continues with Hare appearing to lean over the woman and briefly guiding her head toward him. She again physically rebuffed his advance, the video shows.

Pate acknowledged the incident depicted in the footage but stated he did not know the specific reason behind Hare's decision to resign. The mayor confirmed Hare's identity as the man shown in the video.

Mayor Addresses Handling of Situation

Pate emphasized that city officials acted swiftly once aware of the situation. He stated that while the city cannot control what appears on the internet, local authorities responded promptly to the matter.

The mayor offered measured commentary on the circumstances surrounding the resignation. "Flesh is weak. People get caught up in stuff sometimes that they don't intentionally or don't necessarily want to do," Pate said.

He clarified he was not making excuses for anyone's behavior. Pate stressed the importance of maintaining professional standards and avoiding compromising situations.

Timeline Raises Questions for Officials

The video carries a date of August 26, 2025, indicating a significant delay before officials learned of the incident. Pate said he was not made aware of the actions shown in the video until Saturday.

According to the mayor, the woman depicted in the video informed him about what occurred. The delayed reporting has prompted city officials to seek additional information.

Pate stated that authorities continue asking questions about the incident and the delay in bringing it to their attention. The gap between the recorded date and the resignation announcement has become a focal point of the ongoing inquiry.

Lessons to Learn

1. Timely Reporting Is Crucial: Video evidence of potential misconduct should be reported immediately to the appropriate authorities to ensure prompt investigation and accountability. Time delays can hinder justice and may allow misconduct to persist unnoticed.

2. Establishing Clear Reporting Channels: Every department should have clear, accessible pathways for employees and the public to report inappropriate behavior without fear of reprisal. Transparency and protocol clarity create a safer, more professional environment.

3. Vigilance Does Not Equal Blame: Community members, co-workers, and supervisors must stay alert and advocate for professional standards. However, even with the right precautions, inappropriate behavior can occur. It's important to support victims without assigning blame for situations beyond their control.

Why This Story Matters

This story underscores the need for accountability and transparency in public service, especially from those in leadership roles. When trust is broken within law enforcement, the ripple effects can be deeply damaging for community relations. Taking swift action, as Cordova officials did, helps affirm to the public that misconduct will not be tolerated in positions of authority. Ultimately, the resignation of Chief Hare and the investigation into the incident highlight the importance of open and responsive governance in maintaining public confidence. Investigations and accountability processes signal to residents that leadership is willing to confront problems head-on, rather than ignore them.

Conclusion

Jason Hare resigned as Cordova’s police chief just a day before video footage of a questionable encounter surfaced, prompting city officials to take immediate action. The footage dated back to August 26, 2025, and was only brought to light when the woman involved shared it with Mayor Jeremy Pate. In response, the city council swiftly accepted Hare's resignation on October 7, appointed Harold Cox as interim chief, and launched an internal probe to determine why the incident had not been reported earlier. With concerns rising over police conduct and transparency, Cordova begins its efforts to restore public trust and reinforce professional standards.