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Knox County sheriff outlines oversight, complaint process and how 287(g) works
Summary
At a Knox County workshop the sheriff explained why a civilian oversight board is not planned, described the role of internal affairs and the TBI in investigations, and said 287(g) holds are decided after intake information is sent to ICE; residents pressed for transparency and outside review.
The Knox County sheriff told community members at a county workshop that his office relies on internal affairs and state investigators rather than a separate civilian oversight board and that some matters are restricted by ongoing litigation.
The sheriff, speaking as the elected head of the county law-enforcement office, said, “As a sheriff, I answer to the voters of the county of Tennessee or Knox County.” He told attendees he was not planning to create an external advisory review board and noted that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and internal investigators already handle allegations of misconduct.
Why it matters: residents attending the workshop pressed for clearer, community-driven oversight after several high-profile in-custody incidents. The sheriffsaid internal processes exist but stopped short of agreeing to a new civilian board.
Details: County staff and the Office of Professional Standards described how complaints are filed and processed. Tony Chamben, who identified himself with the Office of Professional Standards, said residents may email the office and complete a standard complaint form; he added investigations are confidential and that staff who discuss investigations outside the office face discipline. Chamben said investigators will direct complainants to criminal channels when appropriate and will conduct internal reviews once criminal matters conclude.
On 287(g): The sheriff explained that the 287(g) immigration agreement begins at detention intake. A detention staff member described the intake questions and said, “If an individual indicates they are born outside of this country, then those names are sent to, through the program to our ICE representative who will then evaluate that individual.” The sheriff emphasized that 287(g) information is handled at intake and that, in his view, it does not affect officers working on patrol.
What residents asked for: Attendees repeatedly asked where public records and investigation results are posted and how families can obtain records. The Office of Professional Standards directed residents to the public-records process for report requests and explained that report numbers can be used to request copies.
Next steps: Workshop facilitators said they would continue to field written questions and petitions and that some topics are legally limited by ongoing litigation. The sheriff reiterated that external criminal investigators such as the TBI are notified when in-custody deaths occur.
