Tennessee POST approves military-discharge waiver for Columbia police applicant

The Tennessee POST Commission on April 17 approved a military-discharge waiver that allows Columbia Police Department applicant Corey Fields to remain eligible for certification.

The vote followed a presentation by Columbia Police Department Captain Josh Davis and testimony from Fields, who described family and childcare hardships that led to his military discharge in 2013. Fields said he has since worked in security, secured stable family support and is seeking a second chance in law enforcement.

The waiver matters because it permits Columbia to hire Fields notwithstanding a 2013 general discharge from the U.S. Army for a pattern of misconduct linked in the record to missed duty while he was sole caregiver for an infant. Fields told the commission he accepted the discharge at the time because he could not meet both military obligations and sole custody responsibilities. "I ask that the commission give me the chance to prove that I'm worthy of the second chance," Fields said.

Captain Josh Davis told commissioners his agency had conducted a thorough background investigation and concluded Fields is a suitable hire. "We've looked at his work…