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POST amends reinstatement procedure; commissioners require psychological, training and background verification
Summary
Following debate over three Memphis‑area cases that had been placed in litigation holds and then resolved, the Tennessee POST Commission adopted an amended motion requiring officers seeking reinstatement to appear for informal hearings and submit psychological evaluations, updated training records and background checks before full reinstatement.
The Tennessee POST Commission voted to require additional documentation and an in‑person informal appearance before reinstating officers whose cases had been paused under litigation holds, after commissioners expressed concern about fairness and public accountability.
Legal staff and Memphis counsel told commissioners that several officers previously entered agreed orders or litigation holds; in at least one case an arbitrator later found termination unfounded. Commissioners raised questions about whether reinstating an officer without updated training, psychological clearance and background review would be fair to other officers and safe for the public.
Commissioner Russell proposed — and the commission approved after amendment — that the three officers be required to appear for an informal hearing and provide psychological evaluations, current background checks and proof of completed in‑service training before the POST Commission would finalize reinstatement. The amendment passed on a roll call vote and the full motion carried.
Staff told the commission the officers have been reinstated to non‑enforcement duties and are completing required in‑service make‑up training and psychological reviews locally; the commission directed staff to confirm completion of the items it specified before restoring full certifications.
The action does not amount to a finding on the underlying allegations; commissioners emphasized the vote focuses on procedural safeguards and ensuring parity among officers statewide. Staff will return with proposed hearing notices and a checklist of required documentation for reinstatement requests.
