In a continuing series of problems during the second tenure of Crossville Police Chief David Beaty, a grievance has been filed against Beaty by an officer who was offered the position of an administrative sergeant and then the job was given to another officer.
Chief David Beaty
In the narrative of the grievance and the ensuing investigation by City Manager Greg Wood, a number of statements concerning the department have come to light.
The grievance was filed by Crossville police Sgt. Tim Vandever over him being offered a promotion to administrative sergeant and the difficulties he had in getting a job description to be able to make the decision about taking the position and other related matters. The grievance was filed with Manager Wood on July 23 and an investigation carried out by city manager Greg Wood because the human resource director was on vacation that week.
The grievance was originally filed with Sgt. Vandever's supervisor on July 6 and the grievance worked up the chain of command and while a response was received from two of his supervisors, no response was received after the matter got to Chief Beaty's desk as required in the policy.
A meeting of the Crossville Personnel Committee is scheduled to consider the matter on August 10, at noon at Crossville city hall.
In investigating the grievance, Mr. Wood interviewed Sgt. J. C. Hancock, the officer who originally turned down the position but later changed his mind and sought the position. Sgt. Hancock confirmed the details in the narrative. In the memo, written by Wood, it said they discussed the state of the department in general. Wood quotes Hancock as saying, “When Chief Beaty retired and Rod Shoap came on board, it was like thoroughbreds being turned loose who had never been out of the paddock, they were kicking down doors and running drug dealers and thieves out of town. Now he said the department is nothing but blackness with people just holding on hoping for change. He said Ray Charles could see what the problem was.”
The narrative of the grievance started in early June when Sgt. Vandever received a phone from Chief Beaty call while working his second job asking if he would be interested in the position. He said he was told it was a lateral move that would not include a salary increase initially but one might come later. Vandever stated he told Beaty he was interested and would need additional information and a little time to think about the offer.
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Vandever was on duty the next day and was told to talk to Capt. Brian Eckelson about a job description as that would be his supervisor. According to the narrative, when asked, Eckelson laughed and said he didn't yet know what he would be doing yet. Later he talked to Chief Beaty and was given some additional information about new responsibilities but was told a job description was to be determined.
After about two weeks of attempting to connect with more information on the position, Capt. Eckleson asked Vandever if he was still interested as Eckleson had heard that Sgt. J. C. Hancock was interested after initially turning the position down as because the promotion could now lead to a further promotion to a lieutenant.
After a few more days and being unable to talk to Chief Beaty and hearing talk around the department that Sgt. Hancock was getting the position Sgt. Vandever contacted HR. Director Leah Crockett to ask about the situation. Ms. Crockett did not know about the promotion or a decision being made.
At around this time was the previously reported incident involving Sgt. Vandever while he was off duty and in his personal vehicle and reported another vehicle on I-40 for reckless driving leading to a reprimand after Vandever followed the other vehicle to their home.
Additional information about that incident was outlined in the new grievance, including that the person driving the other vehicle tried to take out a harassment warrant against Vandever. Only a DA can take a warrant on a sworn officer and the judicial commissioner told the man that. The report includes a difference of opinion on who said the man should take out the warrant and whether the man mother filed an official complaint against Vandever or not.
A week later, Sgt. Vandever received the reprimand on the incident. And now Chief Beaty and those in the meeting said a complaint had been filed after previously saying one had not.
Sgt. Vandever summed up his grievance complaint by restating what was said to him about “confronting subjects which put you at a severe tactical disadvantage. You were outnumbered on private property.”
Wrote Vandever, “This statement I feel rings true for every road officer in our department on a daily basis. We are very short handed and have been for months. I can answer for my self that I have went to Capt. Kendrick, Capt. Hargis, and Chief Beaty and begged for more help to keep our shift from working 12 25 hour days with only three officers on the road.”
The narrative related a story about a Sunday when only three officers were on the road and there was an aggravated assault at the BP Travel Plaza that tied up Sgt. Vandever and patrolman Joel Stevens. Vandever continued, “This left Lt. Davis the only officer answering calls. At one point he was five calls behind and there was a call that came out of a fight with numerous subjects and if it hadn't been for the Sheriff's Department he would have been the only officer to respond while on duty and that would have put him at a severe tactical disadvantage. It didn't get any better through the week either because we worked all three days with only three officers.”
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