Cleveland City Council reviews drug policy and procedures

photo Steve Tyson
Arkansas-Ole Miss Live Blog

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- The Cleveland City Council has received some answers pertaining to actions taken by the police department in regards to drug policy violations that resulted in the firing of Lt. Steve Tyson, a 27-year veteran officer, in August.

Tyson rejoined the police department in late August after the City Council voted 6-0 to rehire him on the condition that he did not sue the city.

On Monday, Councilman Bill Estes directed queries to City Manager Janice Casteel and City Attorney John Kimball as to why the district attorney was contacted in regards to Tyson's internal affairs investigation and why a news release was issued regarding the matter.

Estes also sought more information regarding the investigation and termination processes surrounding Tyson, who tested positive on a random drug screening after taking medication prescribed to his son in an effort to relieve kidney stone pain in late June.

"This really isn't a 'gotcha' moment regarding what happened," said Estes, citing the need to understand how the Tyson matter related to proposed city employee drug policy changes that were made in the aftermath of the recent ordeal involving the officer.

Contact the district attorney's office when an officer is involved an internal investigation regarding the officer's credibility has been part of a "long-standing practice," said Kimball.

The response from District Attorney Steve Crump regarding the notification was essentially that the police department acted correctly by notifying his office, Kimball said.

A news release involving Tyson's internal affairs investigation "didn't sound right," said Vice Mayor George Poe, who stated he could understand how such measures would be justified in situations in which an officer was arrested or charged with a crime.

The Tyson news releases were only made in response to "misinformation" published by HomeTown Cleveland, a local Internet media outlet, said Casteel.

Shortly after HomeTown Cleveland reported what had been leaked to them, the media queries began, she said.

Casteel also confirmed that images of drug paraphernalia associated with the HomeTown Cleveland story were never issued as part of the police department news releases.

Councilman Richard Banks expressed regret that police chief David Bishop -- who is currently on medical leave -- was not available to answer queries surrounding the Tyson matter.

The Cleveland City Council agreed to postpone a vote on proposed drug policy changes that would allow for what Bishop described as "mitigating circumstances" in a Sept. 12 letter to Casteel.

The proposed revised drug policy provides leeway to treat an employee's first violation to be "based on the totality of the circumstances," said Kimball.

However, a second violation would not allow the same flexibility, he said.

Before voting on the revised drug policy, the City Council needs to understand whether it will be an improvement, said Estes.

Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.

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