Officer under investigation for sexual misconduct
An unidentified Chattanooga Police Department officer is under criminal and internal affairs investigations for sexual misconduct.
A female victim reported on June 13 the alleged incident involving an on-duty officer. The officer is in CPD’s Neighborhood Policing Bureau and has been placed on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigations, according to CPD Chief David Roddy.
“Let me be clear, the woman making these allegations deserves to be heard,” Roddy said. “CPD is listening to her. The Chattanooga Police Department and me personally does not condone any type of sexual misconduct by our officers.”
The internal investigation is being handled by CPD’s Internal
Affairs Unit. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is handling the criminal investigation.
CPD was notified of the alleged incident the night of June 13 after the victim reported it to the sheriff’s office, Roddy said. He immediately opened an investigation at that time, he said. The officer was placed on administrative leave the following day and will remain on leave until there is a final disposition in the internal affairs investigation. That will not be made until the conclusion of the criminal investigation.
The officer has not been named because they have not been charged at this time. The officer was hired by the department in 2014.
“Any sexual misconduct allegations involving any Chattanooga Police Department officer will always be taken seriously and investigated with all due diligence,” Roddy said.
The alleged incident is the only report of sexual misconduct against the officer, Roddy said.