The Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) CommissionFormal Hearing Subcommittee on Dec. 12, 2024, voted to revoke post-certification for multiple officers, defaulted certifications for several no-shows and postponed other matters to the January docket.

Deputy Chief Jason Matlock of the National City Police Department summarized the Ashland City Police Departmentcase against Corporal Francisco "Rick" Ricardo (Arguello), saying the officer was selected for a random drug test on Oct. 10, 2024, and that the sample showed a non-prescribed narcotic. "On October 10, 2024, Corporal Arguello, was notified of his selection to submit to the random drug and or alcohol testing under the Etowah National City substance abuse policy," Matlock said. Ricardo told the subcommittee he did not refuse testing and acknowledged a lapse in judgment; the panel voted to decertify him and directed investigators to outline next steps.

The subcommittee also considered a Bolivar Police Department matter involving Granville Lloyd, who faces an indictment for official misconduct stemming from a station-area property loss. Chief Michael Jones described video evidence and the internal probe that led to Lloydtermination. Because Lloyd is on judicial diversion and his criminal plea is unresolved, commissioners discussed an agreed suspension during pending litigation and ultimately moved the case to the January docket to allow time for documentation or an agreed suspension.

Former La Verne Police Chief Earl Davis appeared for an extended informal hearing following an independent investigation by outside counsel (identified in the packet as Thomas Lee Esquire, Frost Brown Todd). The investigator read conclusions that the probe found Chief Davis "was aware of inappropriate activity between officers," received explicit images and videos, did not report that material to HR, and misled investigators in interviews. The investigator cited deleted messages and documentary evidence. Davis disputed the findings and said earlier internal reviews had cleared him; he argued some evidence had been manipulated and reiterated he had received private messages from long-time friends but "did my job." The subcommittee reviewed text-message excerpts the report cited and discussed whether the chief had upheld the professional standards expected of a department leader. A motion to decertify Davis passed; one commissioner announced an abstention and one voted no.

Other actions on the docket included a default decertification motion carried for Deputy Joshua Maiden of the Unicoi County Sheriff's Office after the agency reported a resignation during an internal investigation and alleged unreported vehicle crashes. The panel also moved for default decertification of Vargas, Sledge and Crothers after those subjects failed to appear.

Several matters were continued to the January docket, including the Bradley County Sheriff's Office submission (Michael Lee) and a submission involving Matthew Spencer of the Tennessee Department of Safety, to give commissioners additional time to review packets and for the department representatives to answer questions.

The subcommittee recorded procedural notes on agreed suspensions for officers on judicial diversion and instructed investigators to advise affected officers of next steps. The informal subcommittee adjourned after completing the docket.

Next steps: investigators assigned to decertified subjects will provide procedural guidance and timelines; several matters are scheduled for the January hearing for further action or for execution of agreed suspensions.