Standards subcommittee decertifies several officers, postpones others to January

The Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission informal hearing subcommittee voted Dec. 12, 2024, to decertify multiple law-enforcement officers and postpone hearings for several others while investigations or litigation continue.

The subcommittee approved motions to decertify former and current officers in separate cases presented during the session and agreed to reset other matters to the commission’s January docket. Commissioners recorded at least one abstention during a decertification vote and directed staff to explain next steps for affected officers.

The most immediate decision removed certification for a corporal from the Ashland City Police Department after the agency reported the officer’s termination following a drug-related incident. Jason Matlock, deputy chief with the National City Police Department, told the commission that on Oct. 10, 2024, the officer was selected for random drug or alcohol testing and that the department’s review led to termination. When given the chance to speak, Ricardo “Rick” Arguello said he did not refuse testing but told investigators he had taken a nonprescribed narcotic the day before and did not think he would pass: “I didn't refuse to take the test... I said, hey, this is what I did day before yesterday and I I don't think I could pass this.” Matlock and commissioners noted Arguello had sought treatment years earlier; Matlock said Arguello had about 16 years with his department and had a prior treatment episode in 2011. A motion to decertify Arguello passed by voice vote.

In a separate case, the subcommittee considered former La Verne Police Chief Earl Davis, whose file included an independent investigative report commissioned by the city. Investigator testimony summarized findings that the investigator concluded Davis had been aware of inappropriate intimate relations among officers, received and retained graphic photographs and video, did not report the material to human resources, and misled interviewers. Davis disputed parts of the report and told commissioners the independent investigator’s findings conflicted with an earlier city investigation and that message evidence had been manipulated. He said portions of the records were deleted from his phone but acknowledged receiving images: “I did not I did not send any pictures. Yes. I received the pictures.” During discussion, one commissioner said she would abstain because of a past professional contact with Davis; Mayor Jeffers indicated he intended to vote no. The motion to decertify Davis carried by voice vote; commissioners directed Investigator Krieg to explain next steps to Davis.

Other outcomes and scheduling actions recorded at the hearing included: - A motion to reset the case of Granville (officer listed as Lord in the department video evidence) to January and to place the member on a suspension pending resolution of the officer’s judicial diversion; the subcommittee carried the motion and recorded that a signed agreement could remove the need for an in-person appearance in January. The officer’s termination date cited in the packet was Aug. 20, 2024. - A Bradley County Sheriff's Office case (Michael Lee) was moved to the January docket at the request of the employing agency. - The Tennessee Department of Safety’s submission for Matthew Spencer was moved to January after commissioners requested more time to review the packet; Commissioner Wilbur moved the postponement and Commissioner Wright seconded. - The Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office deputy Joshua Maiden was found by the subcommittee to meet the criteria for default decertification after the agency reported he resigned while under internal investigation for vehicle damage, failing to report incidents and for allegedly lying to supervisors. The commission approved default decertification on a motion with a second. - Three no-shows on the docket—Vargas, Sledge and Crothers—were handled by the subcommittee as group default decertifications (Vargas and Crothers for alleged criminal conduct; Sledge for resignation during an internal investigation). A motion to decertify those members by default passed by voice vote.

Commissioners conducted voice votes for motions and did not read full roll-call tallies in the public record for many items; where commissioners recorded individual positions during discussion, the transcript reflects those statements (for example, one abstention was recorded for the Davis vote and a commissioner said he would vote no). Investigators or staff told affected individuals they would be informed of next administrative steps after the meeting.

The subcommittee adjourned after taking the actions on the published docket. Investigator Krieg was listed as the staff contact to explain next steps to individuals whose certification status changed.

The hearing covered multiple agencies, including the Ashland City Police Department, La Verne Police Department, Bolivar/Bradley County agencies, Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Department of Safety; the panel handled a mix of decertifications, agreed suspensions pending litigation, postponements and default decertifications for no-shows.

The commission’s decisions remove or suspend the ability of the named officers to work in positions requiring state post certification pending any appeals or further administrative action.