Area Police Chief Fired Over Stalking Allegations

ELWOOD, Ind. -- The city of Elwood on Monday fired its police chief over allegations that he stalked a female police officer.

The mayor's office said it believes the allegations against Toby Barker, 46, had enough merit to require the firing.

Barker was suspended with pay last week after Officer Kara Jo Horseman, 21, obtained a protective order against him. Her request for the order described three incidents in which she said he stalked her over a period longer than a month.

In her court filing, Horseman described how, starting in early September, Barker began following her around at work, tried to get her into his car and once pounded on the door to her home late at night.

On that occasion, she said he was "extremely enraged" when she answered the door. "He stated that he was mad because I wouldn't answer my phone," the order said.

Horseman said Barker's unwanted attention forced her to change residences in the city about 40 miles north of Indianapolis repeatedly because she feared for her safety.

Barker told RTV6's Eric Weisfeld last week that the stalking allegations were untrue. He said he and Horseman had been good friends.

"(When) she had some problems, she leaned on me," Barker said last week. "If I had problems, I talked to her. We were good friends. As far as the stalking (allegations), I don't understand that at all."