POST commission pauses decertification in multiple officer cases, approves suspensions pending criminal outcomes

The Post Commission held an informal hearing that reviewed several officer decertification and disciplinary matters. Most cases resulted in no action or in suspensions pending the outcome of criminal investigations.

The commission heard from Richard Collins, chief of the Blaine Police Department, about a decertification referral for an officer identified in the files as Fox. Collins said Fox was relieved of duty on June 1 and that the department no longer sought decertification; Collins listed multiple policy violations — including failure to activate body-worn camera, late reports and a late use-of-force report — but said he would not characterize the conduct as dishonest. Jack Byrd, attorney for the respondent, urged progressive discipline instead of revoking certification and cited the officer’s health issues and upcoming retraining requirements. The commission voted for no action on the decertification request.

The commission then considered the case of former Knoxville Police Department officer John Pickens. Will Wilson, lieutenant with KPD’s Office of Professional Standards, told the panel that a 2022 domestic-incident…