Informal hearing subcommittee approves multiple officer decertifications, defers several cases

An informal hearing subcommittee of the post commission met to consider multiple officer certification matters and approved decertification for four officers while deferring or resetting three other cases.

The panel approved requests to decertify officers after hearings that ranged from questions about truthfulness and on-duty conduct to training, equipment and personnel-safety failures. The committee also reset two hearings to the next informal session and accepted default decertification for three officers who were not present.

Why it matters: The subcommittee’s actions remove or suspend the affected officers’ state certification and can limit their ability to work in law enforcement in other jurisdictions. Commissioners framed many of the decisions around officer safety, credibility and public trust.

Key outcomes and hearings

Terry Wortman — decertified Terry Wortman (presented as Mister Wortman), a former investigator, was the first matter. The county submitted him for decertification following a resignation in lieu of termination. The panel heard testimony about discrepancies in Wortman’s statements to a preliminary hearing, and that the district attorney’s office and an NCIS investigator had been queried about dates and details of his military service. Chad Cox, an attorney representing Wortman, told the subcommittee Wortman had “fully cooperated” and characterized the error as a misspoken answer during a preliminary hearing. Cox said, “He wasn't trying to deceive anyone.” Commissioners concluded credibility concerns were sufficient to approve the decertification. Motion to approve was made by Commissioner Wilbur and carried unanimously.

Jeremiah Johnson — decertified after contested hearing Jeremiah Johnson of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office had a lengthy hearing after the sheriff’s office submitted him for decertification based on a December 2 incident in which he discharged his duty weapon and initially told responding officers the weapon had fallen from his vehicle. Jackson County representatives told the panel Johnson later said he discharged the firearm “out of frustration,” and the agency collected his duty weapon and terminated his employment before seeking decertification. Johnson told the subcommittee he had been experiencing mental-health problems, said he “just shot it in the ground” and described subsequent treatment and counseling. The sheriff’s representative emphasized the agency’s concern about the discharge and the initial false statement to other officers. Commissioners discussed both the safety risk of an unsanctioned discharge and concerns about truthfulness; after deliberation the subcommittee approved decertification. Motion to approve carried unanimously.

Justin Murphy — decertified for training and safety deficiencies The Tennessee Department of Safety presented records for Trooper Justin Murphy, who the department said showed deficiencies while he was on a field training program: failing to check equipment and cameras, unsafe firearm handling at a range, turning off dash cameras when recordings began, failing to submit reports as directed and other performance shortfalls documented between July and September 2024. Chad Smith of the department summarized the safety and training failures. Murphy acknowledged errors in training and handling but said he did not intend unsafe conduct. After discussion the panel approved decertification. Motion to approve carried unanimously.

Matthew Spencer — decertified for pattern of conduct and credibility issues Trooper Matthew Spencer's file included a March 7 pursuit in which department reviewers found Spencer had not followed policy and later misrepresented facts to supervisors; an allegation of an inappropriate extramarital relationship supported by text messages and photos; and a use-of-force incident the department concluded lacked probable cause for the initiating stop. Department representatives said the totality of the matters, together with repeated supervisory counseling, supported termination and the request for decertification. Spencer told the committee he had moved to Tennessee to care for a sick parent and disputed some details; commissioners focused on the pattern of conduct and credibility. The subcommittee approved decertification. Motion to approve carried unanimously.

Michael Lee — reset at requester’s request Attorney Adam Izzo asked that the hearing for Michael Lee be continued because his client and counsel had been unable to prepare due to a recent illness and outstanding file material. The subcommittee reset Lee’s matter to the next informal hearing date, conditional on the department providing the requested records. Motion to reset was made by Commissioner Wright and seconded by Commissioner Beverly; the motion carried.

Johnny Cyrus — deferred pending voluntary suspension and records requests Chief Terry Wayne Scott of the Salina Police Department described a complaint and reviewed Axon video that the chief said showed Officer Johnny Cyrus deploying pepper spray, punching and using a taser during a traffic contact. Cyrus’s counsel requested additional records and asked the subcommittee to defer action while the district attorney’s office considers potential charges. Cyrus agreed to sign a voluntary suspension of his certification while the matter is pending; the subcommittee deferred the case to the next month pending the signed suspension and any new prosecutorial actions. The motion to defer carried unanimously.

Defaults — certifications entered for absent officers The panel also moved to default certification actions for three officers who were absent when their matters were called: Connor Bracken, Joshua Hawkins and Timothy Powers. The commission recorded the defaults and approved the motions.

Votes at a glance - Terry Wortman: motion to approve decertification — mover: Commissioner Wilbur; second: Commissioner Green; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Jeremiah Johnson: decertification approved — mover: Commissioner (motion recorded), outcome: approved (unanimous). - Justin Murphy: decertification approved — mover: Commissioner Wilbur; second: Commissioner Beverly; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Matthew Spencer: decertification approved — mover: Commissioner Beverly; second: Commissioner Wilbur; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Michael Lee: reset to next informal hearing (February) — mover: Commissioner Wright; second: Commissioner Beverly; outcome: approved. - Johnny Cyrus: deferred pending voluntary suspension and records (February) — mover: Commissioner Beverly; second: Commissioner Wright; outcome: approved. - Connor Bracken, Joshua Hawkins, Timothy Powers: default certification action approved — mover: Commissioner Richard Beverly; outcome: approved.

Next steps and procedural notes Investigators and agency representatives were directed to provide follow-up materials and the investigators present briefed each officer on procedural next steps where applicable. Deferred cases were rescheduled for the subcommittee’s next informal session pending delivery of records or execution of voluntary suspensions. The subcommittee then adjourned.

(Procedure note: references to motions, seconds and the panel’s procedural language reflect the transcript of the informal hearing subcommittee.)