Published: May 01, 2008 09:13 pm         

Dismissal had nothing to do with officer's performance

Tragedy of circumstances lies in personal issues

In a perfect world communities expect their police officers to be above reproach. But as all will attest, this world is far from perfect and no matter how shocking and surprising this week's firing of a Crossville Police officer is, it does not change the fact that the problem has to be dealt with.

Even as city officers wear the shock of accusations against a fellow officer, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at the request of the 13th Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office is investigating events that led to the dismissal of a police detective on charges of gross misconduct and conduct unbecoming of an officer. Whatever is found will be presented to a future session of the Cumberland County Grand Jury.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Gary McKenzie confirmed this week that the investigation is centering on missing controlled drugs that officers with the Crossville Police Department have seized over the past year to 18 months. An inventory will be part of the investigation. Fallout from the missing drugs is a justice system thrown into chaos and uncertainty.

"There are some cases we will probably have to dismiss," McKenzie said this week. "There are some that may have to be reopened and dismissed. We just won't know the extent of the damage to the prosecution of our cases until the investigation is completed." All pending cases generated by Crossville Police will be evaluated to make sure none that go forward are damaged by the loss of evidence or Det. Greg Patton's involvement in investigations.

The only cases compromised are those made by Crossville police officers, McKenzie added.

Attempts to contact Patton were not successful. Most who worked with him expressed surprise and sadness at the news he was the central figure in the investigation.

Patton, described as a good-natured with a laid-back personality, has worked for the city police department for nine years. The last couple of years he has worked as a detective, with primary assignments involving sexual abuse and assault cases involving minors.

"I feel bad," McKenzie said. "He's a good guy. I just wish he had sought help if he needed it."

Police Chief David Beaty echoed those comments. "It is just a bad situation. Surprising and disappointing. We will just have to work through it and try to make sure something like this doesn't happen again." Locks on the evidence room have been changed and other procedures are being reevaluated.

It was Beaty who first learned of something wrong in his department on Saturday. Beaty immediately contacted McKenzie and sought outside help in investigating the theft of drugs seized as evidence. Beaty pledged the city's full support to investigators working on the case.

A department meeting was called Monday at which time officers were informed of the dismissal of the detective and the circumstances surrounding the firing. Officers were told to not discuss the pending investigation with anyone and to keep their heads up high and continue doing their jobs.

Beaty also reminded the officers that what they do, and their conduct, reflects not only on themselves but on their fellow lawmen.