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 investigation led to an order of protection and administrative leave; a subsequent internal disciplinary process culminated in a June 23, 2025 disciplinary hearing and Pickens’s termination for policy violations. Wilson said parts of the record were subject to judicial orders that limited what he could discuss. Pickens declined to discuss details before the panel, citing his rights and an ongoing appeal; after discussion the commission moved for no action at this hearing.

A separate Knoxville matter concerned an officer identified as Wheeler, who, Wilson said, was observed on surveillance concealing store items in his department hat on June 7, 2025 and was subsequently cited for misdemeanor theft. Wheeler resigned while under internal investigation. Court records presented at the hearing indicated a judicial diversion disposition was pending as of Sept. 23, 2025. Wheeler’s counsel asked the commission to accept an indefinite or agreed order suspension pending resolution of the criminal matter; the commission accepted the pending suspension and set a follow-up date.

The commission heard William Evans’s matter for Hancock County. No county representative appeared to prosecute decertification, and the sheriff reportedly did not wish to pursue it. Evans testified that he did not drive while intoxicated during an Aug. 23 incident, said criminal investigators cleared him, and said he stepped away from policing because of publicity. Commissioners voted for no action.

An investigation into applicant/officer Sean Hooper of Union County arose after a receiving agency’s preemployment screening revealed a DD214 form indicating prior military service, while Hooper’s earlier hiring application had been marked “no” for prior service. Investigator Marty Cantrell said the discrepancy raised concerns about honesty on the application; the commission moved the matter to an informed disciplinary review for further assessment.

Finally, White County presented allegations against officer Hayden Bilbrey stemming from a May 4, 2025 traffic stop and subsequent contact with a complainant. Richard Lynch said body-worn camera footage was not activated correctly and appeared to have been manipulated; criminal allegations, including an assault allegation and an order of protection, were described as in the district attorney’s hands. Bilbrey’s counsel told the commission his client would accept an indefinite suspension pending the criminal matter; the commission agreed to continue the matter and accept the pending suspension condition.

Outcomes and next steps: the panel documented several no-action votes where agencies withdrew or agreed not to pursue decertification at this time; in cases tied to active criminal proceedings the commission accepted indefinite or pending suspensions and scheduled follow-ups. For several matters the commission requested receipt of signed agreed orders or additional documentation before removing items from future agendas.

Quotes from the hearing included: “I am not looking to have him decertified,” Richard Collins said of the Blaine officer; and Will Wilson summarized the Pickens investigation as resulting in termination after a disciplinary hearing. Several respondents and counsel declined to address details publicly because of ongoing appeals or pending criminal matters.

The commission closed the hearing after taking votes and setting next steps on the items on the day’s informal docket.