Larry WallaceCLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Cleveland will hire Larry Wallace, a former director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, to consult in the city's efforts to review the policies and structure of its police department following a recent wave of leadership changes and departmental turmoil.
On Monday the Cleveland City Council voted 5-0 to contract Wallace for up to 12 months and up to $76,000. Wallace's actual compensation will be based on total months worked.
"I think he is exactly what we need right now," said City Manager Janice Casteel, citing Wallace's credentials, which include key leadership posts at the local and state levels for many of his 40 years in law enforcement.
As part of his consultant activities, Wallace assisted Chattanooga with its search for a police chief, said Casteel.
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No timeframe is set for completing Cleveland's departmental review and consulting process, which will begin as soon as possible, said Casteel.
Councilman Dale Hughes volunteered to serve with Wallace and city staff on a committee that will first review the department's policies, procedures and practices.
"I appreciate your idea of wanting a committee to look at policies," Hughes told Casteel. "Mainly because it's totally embarrassing what we've been through and there needs to be something to fix it."
Casteel called last week for a re-evaluation of the police department as a drama unfolded involving then-police Chief Dennis Maddux, who was discovered secretly meeting the wife of Officer Jeffrey Griggs.
Before the week was out, Griggs had been arrested twice, Maddux had been demoted back to captain and both were placed on administrative leave while the TBI, the Bradley County Sheriff's Office, the McMinn County Sheriff's Office and the 10th Judicial District Attorney's Office looked into matters.
Councilman Avery Johnson questioned whether policies are the real issue with the police department.
"I think we need to look at it from top to bottom," said Casteel.
It is not just a matter of having policies and procedures in place, but also a question of if and how those policies are carried out in practice, she said.
Concerns with the department's structure will be addressed later, she said.
Until the re-evaluation process is complete, Capt. Mark Gibson will continue to serve as interim chief of the police department, said Casteel.
Whoever serves as Cleveland's next police chief needs to be looked over "from head to toe, to make sure that person is capable of leading without anything coming out later that puts them on the shelf," said Hughes.
Wallace could not be reached for comment.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.