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* Mark Gibson named interim Cleveland, TN police chief* TBI investigating Cleveland police officer Jeff Griggs case* Cleveland Police Officer Jeff Griggs arrested for the second time in four days* Cleveland police chief demoted to former post without investigation* Police chief was kissing cop's wife in car, divorce complaint states* Altercation with officer prompts removal of Cleveland, TN police chief after only one day on the job* Cop arrested after he took photos of wife with police chief* New police chief named in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- The Cleveland Police Department got its third leader in four days Wednesday after Tennessee's police regulatory agency told City Manager Janice Casteel she couldn't serve in that position.
Meanwhile, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents have been at work at the Cleveland Police Department, and the police officer who kicked the hornet's nest by surreptitiously taking photos of his wife allegedly smooching his ex-boss made bond on his second arrest in 72 hours.
Casteel said Wednesday that Capt. Mark Gibson would be the interim chief while she forms a committee to review police department policy and structure.
On Monday, Casteel demoted Chief Dennis Maddux, the department's third chief in just over a year. Maddux hadn't even officially been sworn in as chief when a subordinate, Officer Jeffrey Griggs, allegedly photographed Maddux and Griggs' wife, Cindy, kissing in a parked car in Calhoun, Tenn., on Saturday. Cindy Griggs grabbed her husband's camera, taking out and later destroying the memory card, and told McMinn County deputies he had assaulted her. Jeffrey Griggs was charged with domestic assault and released on a $1,000 bond.
Casteel initially said she would lead the police department under the city charter. But the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission had other ideas. Spokesman Kevin Walters said Wednesday that POST investigator Johnny Welch had contacted city leaders to say Casteel couldn't be in charge of the police department because she's not a sworn officer.
"A certified officer must be the department head by rule and by statutory definition," Walters said.
Wednesday morning, Casteel named Gibson interim chief until she decides on a permanent candidate.
"During this timeframe I am determined to make some hard decisions regarding the policies of the Cleveland Police Department to be recommended to the City Council to ensure that the leadership of the Cleveland Police Department is above reproach," she said.
She made that announcement a day after a pair of TBI agents showed up at the police department. On Wednesday, 10th Judicial District Attorney Steve Crump said he had asked the TBI to help in the Griggs case.
"While I have complete confidence in the McMinn County Sheriff's Department, after consulting with their investigators, it became apparent that certain allegations of misconduct were alleged to have occurred in Bradley County and related to issues more appropriately investigated by the TBI," Crump said in a statement.
He added, "The investigation by TBI is limited in its scope and should be completed in short order."
Crump's statement came about the time Griggs was bonding out of the Bradley County Jail from his second arrest.
Cindy Griggs had told McMinn County officers she was meeting Maddux to discuss an unreported domestic assault by her husband. While he was filing divorce papers Monday, saying she punched him in the face and split his lip when grabbing for his camera, she asked a judge for an order of protection.
Tuesday night, Cindy Griggs called the Bradley County Sheriff's Office when she returned to the couple's home on Chestuee Road and saw an unfamiliar car parked in the driveway.
While deputies were identifying the Honda Pilot as belonging to Cleveland police officer Shane Clark, Jeff Griggs emerged from the garage of the home, Deputy Eduardo Choate said in the affidavit of complaint.
Choate said he was present when Griggs was served with the order of protection Monday. He said Griggs told deputies that he had no need to return to the home.
"Griggs advised ... that he did not need to return to the residence ... because he had already obtained his belongings, including his two dogs," Choate said in the affidavit. Griggs was staying at his mother's home on Candies Lane.
The deputies arrested Griggs at the scene after asking Clark and another officer, Lt. Steve Tyson, to leave, Choate said.
The affidavit gave no reason for why Griggs, Clark and Tyson were at the residence.
Tyson -- who was fired and reinstated after violating the police department's drug policy last summer -- did not respond to a request for comment. But his and Clark's presence at the home has raised questions.
"[We] are working with the Bradley County Sheriff's Office to see if there are any issues with them [Tyson and Clark] being present at the incident involving Jeff Griggs," said Sgt. Evie West, public information officer for the Cleveland Police Department.
Griggs was released on a $1,500 bond on Wednesday afternoon, according to county law enforcement officials. His hearing is set for March 17. James Logan, Griggs' attorney, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Correspondent Paul Leach contributed to this story. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.
Contact staff writer Judy Walton at jwalton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6416.