While there can be some stigma surrounding the inner workings of smaller police departments, some of Hamilton County’s agencies are working to be as transparent with the public as possible, according to department leaders.
Earlier this month, Chattanooga attorneys Robin Flores and Janie Varnell both said allegations of officer misconduct can sometimes be shielded from the public, especially when it comes to smaller departments.
“Your Soddy-Daisys, your Collegedales, your East Ridges, they don’t make an officer’s internal affairs history readily available,” Varnell said at the time.
It’s safe to say the stigma of secrecy is well earned and 100% warranted in some of the smaller agencies, but that is no longer the case at the Collegedale Police Department, Assistant Chief of Police Jamie Heath said by phone.