La Verne Police Chief Davis faces decertification after misconduct investigation findings

The recent informal hearing held by the Tennessee POST Commission on December 12, 2024, brought to light serious allegations against former La Verne Police Chief Earl Davis, focusing on his conduct during an investigation into inappropriate relationships within the department. The hearing, which followed a series of legal challenges and investigations, aimed to determine whether Davis should retain his police certification.

Key discussions centered around findings from an independent investigation that revealed Davis's knowledge of inappropriate relationships between officers, including a supervisor and a subordinate. The investigation concluded that Davis failed to report these relationships to human resources and did not take disciplinary action against the involved officers. Testimonies highlighted that Davis received explicit text messages and images related to these relationships but did not act on them, contributing to a hostile work environment.

Davis defended his actions, claiming he was unaware of the relationships until they were brought to his attention during the investigation. He argued that the text exchanges with fellow officers were informal and did not reflect his professional conduct as chief. However, the commission expressed concern over the nature of these communications, which included inappropriate language and references to the relationships.

The hearing also addressed the procedural aspects of the investigations, with Davis asserting that previous inquiries had cleared him of wrongdoing. However, the independent investigator's report contradicted this, leading to a motion for Davis's decertification. The commission ultimately voted in favor of this motion, citing the severity of the findings and the implications for public trust in law enforcement.

In addition to Davis's case, the commission reviewed other matters, including the decertification of officers from Unicoi County for various misconducts, including lying during investigations and failing to report vehicle damages. These discussions underscored the ongoing efforts to uphold standards within law enforcement agencies across Tennessee.

The outcomes of this hearing are significant for the La Verne community and beyond, as they reflect broader issues of accountability and professionalism within police departments. The commission's decision to move forward with decertification emphasizes the importance of maintaining integrity and trust in law enforcement, ensuring that officers are held to the highest standards of conduct.