By Ashley Silver
Police1
LA VERGNE, Tenn. — Five Tennessee officers have been fired and three were suspended after an internal investigation unveiled several instances of sexual misconduct – some happening while on duty and on city property.
A female La Vergne officer was having intimate relationships with other members of the department, according to WSMV News. The report also uncovered a “Girls Gone Wild” party involving multiple officers and their families in a hot tub on an officer’s houseboat, according to the report.
Newly-elected La Vergne alderman Kara Hobbs told Channel 5 News Nashville that she is “shocked and overall disappointed with our police department and what’s happened.” Hobbs says that she’s received numerous calls from citizens that are hard to answer as she’s learning new details day by day.
“It’s been really frustrating from a leadership standpoint to have citizen questions and I’m learning the details right along with the general public,” Hobbs said.
As a result of the internal investigation, various disciplinary steps were taken against the La Vergne officers involved – including the firing of five officers and suspension of three others.
Police Chief Chip Davis issued a statement saying in part, “The actions of a few do not represent the entire department.” He also stated that counselors would be available for those impacted within the department and confirmed there is sufficient staff remaining to cover all patrol shifts in the absence of the officers involved.
A top priority for La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole and alderman Hobbs is to restore faith in the police department: “There’s definitely a time period now to rebuild the trust in our community,” Hobbs told Channel 5 News.
Mayor Cole also specified that all employees would be retrained in the rules, regulations and expectations set forth by the city.