The Commission handled multiple city-level personnel matters in a single portion of the docket.
Memphis: The Commission decertified Deontay (Deontay spelled in transcript as both "Deontay" and "Deontay") Garland after internal affairs presented evidence the officer admitted to sending text messages soliciting an adult-sexual encounter with a juvenile who was in foster care at the time. Garland resigned from the Memphis Police Department the day he was scheduled for a disciplinary hearing. The Commission moved to decertify following presentation by Memphis internal affairs; the record notes a parallel criminal diversion/prosecution process also was underway.
Another Memphis officer (O'Feely) appeared with counsel; counsel told the Commission the officer had resigned before a disciplinary hearing and that underlying criminal charges in Mississippi had been dismissed or remanded and counseling and diversion conditions had been satisfied. At the informal docket POST staff and defense counsel agreed no action be taken in that matter at this time.
Default decertifications: The Commission voted to enter default decertifications for several individuals who had been properly served but did not appear (Brandon Hudson, Joshua Potts, Vincent Tias). The Commission confirmed proper service and carried the default motions.
Metro Nashville: Counsel for a Metro Nashville sergeant charged with alleged overtime fraud (alleged out-of-county overtime claims totaling about $1,222) requested time to prepare. The Commission granted a continuance to the formal docket (December meeting) so Metro can provide discovery and the respondent can present a defense; counsel noted concern that entering an adverse agreed order now could affect the respondent’s prospects for non-law-enforcement employment and sought the continuance to preserve defense rights.
The Commission emphasized the informal docket is not an evidentiary forum and continued contested matters to allow full presentation at a formal hearing when necessary.