Audio clip
Greg Johnson
PIKEVILLE, Tenn. — A Pikeville police officer resigned last week after a fellow officer filed a complaint that triggered an internal investigation, Pikeville officials said.
The complaining officer alleged that Patrolman D.D. Frazier had copied a photograph from images on the officer’s cell phone, Police Chief Ronnie Byrd said Wednesday.
The incident happened while the two officers were on duty. The unnamed officer “complained to the mayor and me,” Chief Byrd said.
There was nothing criminal in the allegations, but Mr. Frazier’s conduct was unacceptable, he said.
“I think if you’re an officer, you should present yourself in a professional manner at all times. We’re here to serve the public,” he said.
Pikeville Mayor Greg Johnson said it is rare to hear of a complaint against a city officer. “In fact, since I’ve been mayor, it hasn’t happened before,” Mr. Johnson said.
He said Mr. Frazier had been a good police officer in town and was otherwise pleased with his job performance until the recent incident.
“But it is something I feel is unacceptable for an officer,” he said. “Mr. Frazier quit, and that’s probably solved the problem.”
Mr. Frazier had worked at the department for more than two years, Chief Byrd said.
“D.D. came to me and told me he was going to quit because he was going to help his grandfather get caught up on a bunch of stuff he had to do,” he said.
“He’s been a good officer other than that,” he said.
Mr. Frazier’s full-time position will be filled by a part-time officer, the chief said.
Ben Benton is a news reporter at the Chattanooga Times Free Press. He covers Southeast Tennessee and previously covered North Georgia education. Ben has worked at the Times Free Press since November 2005, first covering Bledsoe and Sequatchie counties and later adding Marion, Grundy and other counties in the northern and western edges of the region to his coverage. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Tenn., a graduate of Bradley Central High School. Benton ...
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