NASHVILLE Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security officials have placed Trooper Mark D. Williams on discretionary leave with pay, effective immediately, pending an ongoing criminal investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and an internal investigation by the department's Inspectional Services Bureau (ISB).
TBI agents arrested Trooper Williams on drug charges Friday morning in Lauderdale County. All departmental equipment including weapons, badges and commission card were secured following the arrest and pending the investigations.
"We have cooperated fully with the TBI on this investigation and acted quickly to take immediate administrative action," Commissioner Bill Gibbons said. "While disheartening, the alleged actions of this one trooper are not representative of the THP as a whole."
"We expect more of our state troopers and are disappointed in this situation. The allegations will be investigated thoroughly by TBI and internally, and we will take the appropriate action based on the outcome," THP Colonel Trott said.
Williams, 47, was assigned to Lauderdale County of the THP's Memphis District. He began his career with the Highway Patrol in January 2004.
The department is unable to comment further, pending the investigation. Any further inquiries should be directed to the TBI.