[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6714483,"mediaKeyId","5691677-ccd0999c2881e50025c19b3edb16d72f","parentId",5691677,"title","Rutherford County officer’s certification: Commission hears allegations, records no action after DA declines charges","audioSeconds",654,"startMs",1012000,"endMs",1666000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5691677-ccd0999c2881e50025c19b3edb16d72f&start=1012&end=1666","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5691677-ccd0999c2881e50025c19b3edb16d72f/thumbnail_1012000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6714483/Tennessee/Rutherford-County-officers-certification-Commission-hears-allegations-records-no-action-after-DA-declines-charges","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6714483-7bdf9a7131e8e5c7888f45fd98f10466/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012197&Signature=N6k~6ZkEu7LiHMq-7tgBZ8EzUI~I47omtcLoOdrKlQwhtYWPV64h1dfny3tEt7gcXP21ZBGsLww1613RVYqwHlcW68RkLDUCiGIU3cMGZmVZJTIupkv5gb7xL93navhMX~Pvu3TwdHiVeRQt1QdOGlJT4at6HTuz-rFo9XXiVLDRBjx5qLgRbJXAe2FaEWlMoOdOunYruyDveOjTDZvL5hNMojd7eNvPXf7wIrZ96nfS2aiXIne4IglLXePIivGBkonhKLgSxLsqHU5K8d~DPTaWfKqt3TsQeoH0dKuJAjyee~02IHfyVygqkOe2~BRtEVa3t62oYOYoreqSzDcR5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Commerce & Insurance","date","2025-08-22T16:32:27Z","article","Rutherford County presented the commission with the results of internal and local criminal inquiries concerning Tyler Cravens (referred to as Graves in filings), including an allegation of patronizing prostitution. The county said Cravens had been placed on administrative leave in October 2024 pending internal and external probes; he was later terminated by the sheriff’s office for multiple policy violations, the county said.

Rutherford County’s representative told the commission the district attorney’s office has chosen not to pursue charges. \"The only piece of, that I do have... is just a video interview,\" the county representative said, noting available materials for the commission to review.

Cravens and his attorney disputed the agency narrative, describing the exchange as a crude comment to a delivery worker and saying he cooperated fully with investigators. \"We would ask that the matter be dismissed and that, his certification be be restored,\" counsel Jack Mitchell told the commission.

Commissioners questioned details about the victim statement and whether a financial offer was made. Cravens acknowledged he offered $50 but described it as an offer of help for chores, not for sexual activity, and denied other allegations. The county investigator said Cravens initially omitted mention of the $50 during an early segment of the interview and later admitted it after further questioning.

Given the lack of prosecution and disputes over the facts and credibility, the commission ultimately voted to take no action on the certification at this informal hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","TN POST Commission Informal Hearing August 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Rutherford County officials described an administrative and criminal inquiry into allegations of patronizing prostitution involving Tyler Cravens (Graves); the district attorney declined to file charges and the commission voted no action after respondent’s counsel disputed agency characterizations.","taxTitle","Commerce & Insurance, Deparments in Office of the Governor, Organizations, Executive, Tennessee","taxId",17379,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6714488,"Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper with multi-incident record loses POST certification",2002,1714000,3716000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5691677-ccd0999c2881e50025c19b3edb16d72f&start=1714&end=3716","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5691677-ccd0999c2881e50025c19b3edb16d72f/thumbnail_1714000.jpg","/articles/6714488/Tennessee/Tennessee-Highway-Patrol-trooper-with-multi-incident-record-loses-POST-certification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6714488-d6f54c20d173129b3d64605c40de48a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012197&Signature=Md7pY0PeTHBG4f~JLG-KeOn-uDkDTXfrBRITpZWZ3kIivygqz54xswgW3-AqGyJkWNOuGaQCSs4j2dd~tpj1bXTwrM3f~E3SavmpWt4YaBuMJ28AhpHWoVECkflbMdwKi0kEV3I8yNxajlfyVfHuEEP8TuWKuLcJgxsOYuYOzmg2vaR-aK5YEAvZZtat07dchgXyoCKeJUmduRx8nD1TpIBGIAkBXY2q-eX-FlckcfkNbUgjHYFy7hyOyqMYPBy6fDHsnDRaNxpTG7eGX1IaNhYaczo3Pg343XbgiB~ca9HZIV~9A22rqxGuLqeOJ7-IESmBeBDJhV0cL6nP0VkkqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tennessee POST Commission voted to decertify Trooper Milkovich after the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Office of Professional Accountability presented a disciplinary chronology the agency said included seven prior sustained matters and a recent violation that culminated in termination.

Lt. Colonel Tim Spicer of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told the commission the OPA conducts fact-finding and forwards recommendations through the district captain, major and commissioner; the chain of review supports consistent statewide discipline. Chad Smith, the OPA investigator, said Milkovich’s personnel record showed progressive discipline beginning with warnings and culminating in suspensions and a final recommendation for termination after a harassment-related incident in which the trooper allegedly violated direct orders to have no contact with a colleague.

\"In the case of, mister Milkeby, we feel that his actions have diminished his credibility and, his ability to effectively perform the duties of a Tennessee state trooper and law enforcement officer,\" OPA investigator Chad Smith said during the hearing.

Counsel for Milkovich argued that some prior complaints were rooted in a personality clash with a supervisor and that certain allegations had been found unfounded; the respondent also noted he is pursuing step-3 appeal rights and disputed aspects of the agency’s chronology. Milkovich spoke to the commission and denied some allegations and described factual clarifications he intends to present in appeals.

Commissioners discussed video and body-camera evidence cited by the agency, the history of prior discipline (including one five-day suspension), and the propriety of cumulative discipline. After discussion, a motion and second for decertification were made and carried on a voice vote.

Counsel for Milkovich was directed to meet with the investigator to be advised of next steps in light of the commission’s action.","The Tennessee POST Commission voted to decertify Trooper Milkovich after the Highway Patrol’s Office of Professional Accountability presented seven prior disciplinary incidents and a finding that he disobeyed direct orders; Milkovich disputes the record and is pursuing internal appeal steps.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6714493,"Tennessee POST Commission approves decertifications, continues several cases and records no-action determinations",1036,645000,1681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5691677-ccd0999c2881e50025c19b3edb16d72f&start=645&end=1681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5691677-ccd0999c2881e50025c19b3edb16d72f/thumbnail_645000.jpg","/articles/6714493/Tennessee/Tennessee-POST-Commission-approves-decertifications-continues-several-cases-and-records-no-action-determinations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6714493-14447a10025f75ce47fc65e39835c493/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012197&Signature=jfHSjwkczRFTdnFPuqwIpiXEaQGqJSHguKhKN7TIu8P8DWFsi9ngn7Z8oC1fSTDdJorKvJLLYXW4DsljK67ojJmtTfHsgdMWvFh18WypKtpRKv6GrQEL4G8bHOxiOD58m2~AOhszJIo7ROCSQP0asN4-tfkAdtK0xbRrcF2CWJs39vVe8YHhMUP8aFazrlkOpYyKwJM~seSmmBOEIYFSucBAnbr9~EuJ0y3lnyCtadRs8pOcv~dFToIJ4y6Bb3UPM~1HiRWJLL~mXn9V8LLTK4CQZBDplxYrDSXVmmEV3NaBNYVtGE~edk38~0QaalRFKIPbzrkysLXMBNQ9EGOT6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission took a series of personnel actions at its August informal hearing, approving decertifications in some cases, continuing others while outside investigations proceed, and voting to take no action on a pair of matters.

Commissioners voted to decertify Martin Andrew Jordan after Dyer County told the body Jordan is in federal custody following convictions for aggravated child-exploitation charges and a federal sentence. The motion passed on a voice vote after the county representative described the federal conviction and custody status.

The commission also approved a decertification motion for Erica Hutchinson after agency counsel reported a federal conviction for conspiracy to commit felony theft and a federal sentence. That motion passed on a voice vote.

In a high-profile Tennessee Highway Patrol matter, commissioners approved decertification of Trooper Milkovich after the Office of Professional Accountability outlined a cumulative disciplinary history that the agency said included sustained violations, progressive discipline and a recent determination that he disobeyed a direct order. Milkovich and his counsel disputed aspects of the agency record and noted pending appeal steps; commissioners nonetheless voted to decertify.

The body continued several matters to allow investigations to finish. The commission agreed to push the Jerry Mifflin (Ventress County) matter to October so the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation can complete planned interviews. The commission also continued the Drake Ofili (Memphis) matter to Sept. 3 while related dispositions in another jurisdiction are finalized.

Two contested matters resulted in no-action votes. In Rutherford County’s case concerning Tyler Cravens (also referred to as Graves in agency filings), the county told commissioners the district attorney declined to file charges; Cravens and his counsel disputed the agency’s suggestion of dishonesty and asked that his certification be restored. After discussion, the commission voted no action.

Trooper Taylor James (Tennessee Highway Patrol) faced allegations that she shared confidential information with a private citizen and was untruthful to deputies during a traffic stop; the department also reported video and field-sobriety evidence it said contradicted James’s statements. Counsel for James described a timeline in which she reported possible drugging and pursued medical exams, noted a missing blood draw and an expungement outcome in related criminal proceedings, and said a step-3 appeal of her termination is under judicial review. The commission debated a motion to move the matter to a formal hearing (the motion did not advance) and ultimately voted no action, with one recorded dissenting “no.”

Separately, the commission accepted an offer from a respondent who indicated he would enter a voluntary surrender of certification; the parties said they would prepare agreed surrender paperwork for signature and place it on the agenda if not executed immediately. The commission also moved forward on a default action for several absent respondents (William McNally, Jonathan Bailey and Jason Bowles); a motion regarding those absences passed on a voice vote.

Most votes at the informal hearing were disposed by voice vote; where the transcript records the result it is noted above. Several matters were continued to allow outside agencies (TBI, district attorneys) to finish investigative steps or for respondents to pursue administrative appeals.","At an informal August hearing the Tennessee POST Commission voted to decertify officers with federal convictions or sustained disciplinary records, continued multiple matters while investigations proceed, and took no action on two cases where prosecutors declined charges or the commission deferred formal proceedings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rutherford County officer’s certification: Commission hears allegations, records no action after DA declines charges

Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper with multi-incident record loses POST certification

Tennessee POST Commission approves decertifications, continues several cases and records no-action determinations