(Editor’s note: In an effort of transparency, the beat reporter for the city was unable to attend last week’s Personal Board meeting because of illness. This story is taken from documents and reports available.)
It was unpleasant business when the demotion of two Crossville Police officers was subject of an appeal hearing before the city’s Personnel Board. Perception, department and public trust is in the balance.
At the end of the hearing, the demotion was upheld by the city’s Personnel Board.
At issue was the demotion of CPD’s former Lt. Andrew King and Sgt. Samantha Seay by Police Chief Jessie Brooks and City Manager Valerie Hale for violation of “multiple department policies and general orders.”
This week, a roster of the city officers shows no rank beside King’s name, and Seay is listed as a patrolman, no longer as sergeant.
The two asked for the appeal hearing and now have 60 days from last Friday to file an appeal in Chancery Court.
An internal affairs investigation by CPD claims between October and November, King in his city-issued cruiser, visited Seay’s home over a dozen occasions. The residence is outside of the city limits, and visits lasted from a few minutes to over an hour.
Armed with the results of the investigation, the two were accused with department policy violations, including unauthorized absence from duty or jurisdiction without permission, wrongful use of department equipment, conducting private business while on duty, failure to report alleged violations and actions reflecting poorly on the department.
King and Seay opened the hearing, stating they are close friends and, as such, King was visiting to provide security for Seay who was experiencing difficulties associated with an order of protection involving Seay’s ongoing custody issues.
Many of the visits were said to have occurred near the end of shifts or off-duty periods.
No documents were provided showing reports of order-of-protection violations or threats, with no evidence anything different than what the officers described.
Brooks said he felt the officers’ actions left a public perception reflecting on the department and recommended termination. Hale did not agree, recommending demotion in rank (loss of supervisory pay), three-day suspensions and the officers being placed on department probation for six months.
Brooks said trust was at stake, having promoted and placed that trust in the promotion of the officers whose duties include supervising other officers.
Hale said the need for leadership, structure and discipline across all city departments is essential, and on-duty personal visits violated this.
It is not known at this time if an appeal will be filed.