The Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission on Aug. 29 approved a number of individual waivers, criminal-record waivers and academy transfers that allow applicants to move forward with training or remain employed while they complete conditions set by hiring agencies.

The commission approved military-discharge and preemployment waivers for individuals including Blake Alexander Hart, who had an uncharacterized Army discharge after a training injury; Samuel Tristan Lance, discharged from the U.S. Marines with a general under honorable conditions after refusing a COVID vaccine; and several others who applied through hiring agencies such as the Chattanooga Police Department and Memphis Fire Department. Commissioners voted orally on each motion; where recorded the chair called for “aye” and no opposing votes were recorded.

The commission also approved academy transfer and attendance waivers for applicants seeking to attend Cleveland State Law Enforcement Training Academy in September 2025, including requests for Matthew LaRoy Griffith and Harley Montana Wooten. The panel approved 6‑month waivers for candidates who could not begin training because of class availability, and granted postponements for candidates with medical reasons.

Why it matters: these waivers determine whether candidates can be hired, continue employment or attend certification academies. The commission’s approvals allow agencies to retain or provisionally hire individuals while staff and agencies complete required paperwork, medical clearances, training waivers and other preemployment steps.

Details and outcomes
- Military/preemployment waivers approved: Blake Alexander Hart (Chattanooga Police Department representative Andrew Peter spoke on his behalf) — motion approved; Samuel Tristan Lance (case described as general discharge) — motion approved.
- Criminal-record waivers approved: Lee Earl Wallace (Memphis Fire Department) — motion approved; other Memphis and Shelby County cases where applicants satisfied court-ordered fines and probation were approved via motion.
- Academy transfers/attendance waivers approved: Matthew LaRoy Griffith (Cleveland State) — motion approved; Harley Montana Wooten (Cleveland State) — motion approved.
- Scheduling/6‑month waivers approved: Timothy Bridal McHargue (Allgood Police Department) — approved due to class availability; Kendra Jalen Coleman (Union County) — approved for medical reasons and rescheduled.

Commission procedure: motions were made and seconded on the floor for each item. The meeting transcript records verbal “aye” votes and a small number of recusals where a commissioner disclosed a conflict. Where a commissioner recused, the transcript records that recusal verbally.

What the record shows: the approvals were recorded as motions carried with no recorded “no” votes. Several agency representatives and applicants appeared in person or by phone to answer commissioners’ questions about injuries, prior conduct, rehabilitation, readiness for duty and training availability.

Next steps: applicants approved to attend academies or receive waivers must complete any outstanding administrative requirements (medical, psychological clearance, in‑service hours or transition training) as directed by their hiring agency and POST rules. Some applicants were told to complete outstanding in‑service training for 2025 or to pursue agency waivers if training remains incomplete.

Ending: The commission moved between these personnel items and other agenda business, concluding the personnel-waiver segment with routine consent-approval motions before advancing to investigative reports and agreed orders.