Chattanooga Police Sergeant resigns before he can be fired for theft

Sgt. Kevin Kincer is seen with his hand raised in this 2006 file photo.
Sgt. Kevin Kincer is seen with his hand raised in this 2006 file photo.
photo Sgt. Kevin Kincer is seen with his hand raised in this 2006 file photo.

Kevin Kincer, a former Chattanooga police sergeant, resigned today after pleading no contest to six charges of official misconduct and theft in November. Pills went missing from the evidence room Kincer was supposed to be monitoring.

He was put on leave without pay while the allegations worked through the court system.

According to a news release, Chief Fred Fletcher likely would have terminated Kincer following today's disciplinary hearing. However, Officer Kincer officially resigned this morning prior to the previously scheduled disciplinary hearing.

Fletcher will request a decertification of Kevin Kincer's Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) certification as a qualified police officer.

The Chattanooga Police today fired another officer for unrelated violations, including DUI and striking his mother-in-law.

Read more in tomorrow's Times Free Press.

What is decertification?

As opposed to termination of employment by a local department, which does not prevent the officer from being rehired by a different department, revocation of the certificate prevents the officer from continuing to serve in law enforcement in the state. A state agency, Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST), has the authority to hold hearings and impose sanctions against police officers that have engaged in serious misconduct as defined in the statute or regulation. Known as revocation, decertification or cancellation, this practice ensures officers cannot continue to serve as law enforcement officers in the state by suspending or removing state certification.

Previous report:

Upcoming Events