A commission voted to approve a one-year suspension settlement for a former Collierville police officer who was terminated after a department review found he had driven over a center median and provided inaccurate patrol logs.

A staff member told the commission that Mr. Perry, attorney for Ashenson, was on the phone and that counsel for the parties had worked for about two months toward a settlement. The staff member summarized the agreed facts: dash camera footage and witness interviews contradicted the officer's initial report indicating he knew he hit the center median; the department found truthfulness and related policy violations after an internal hearing. Collierville had requested decertification following the termination in August 2022.

Under the settlement the commission approved, the officer will be suspended for one year effective immediately and the action will be entered into the MDI. The staff member said the officer has been out of law enforcement since Aug. 22, 2022, so after the one-year suspension he will have been out of the profession for three years. If another agency sought to hire him, the commission would first have to lift the suspension and the officer would be required to attend transition school before returning to duty.

Commissioner Jeffress made the motion to approve the settlement, which Commissioner Greyhaut seconded. The commission approved the motion by voice vote; the meeting record shows commissioners said 'aye' and no opposition was recorded. After the vote, staff told Mr. Perry the commission would draft the settlement paperwork and send it for signature, and the formal hearing was canceled.

The commission then moved to adjourn the formal hearing; the motion to adjourn carried on a voice vote, and staff concluded the hearing.

The commission did not receive extended testimony in open session beyond the attorneys' agreed facts and did not take additional disciplinary actions at the meeting.