New chief says Locke was right to step down
Incoming Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch said Friday that the organization’s acting director, Jason Locke, made the right decision to step down Thursday afternoon.
Rausch, the outgoing Knoxville Police Department chief, met with reporters on his final day there and said Locke’s issues sped up the timetable for getting a permanent director at the TBI.
Locke had been on paid leave since Tuesday, a day after state officials confirmed an investigation into his conduct during an alleged affair with another state employee. On Thursday, he announced the decision to “retire” in a statement from his attorney.
Jason Locke’s wife, Kim Locke, emailed Gov. Bill Haslam’s office last Friday claiming he had used state funds to cover hotel costs during the affair. In the email, she also said she was “afraid that I’m in danger” because “he picked up a gun last night and held it in his hands the whole time we talked.”
Kim Locke’s complaint led to a multipronged investigation involving the state comptroller, the Department of Safety and the Nashville district attorney. In addition to investigating a potential misuse of funds, officials also are investigating Jason Locke for potential crimes against his wife.
“There was an obvious concern about leadership there, and in order to stabilize [things] it was necessary that I get there as quick as I could,” Rausch said Friday morning.
“I’ll tell you, we talked, and I think his decision, the way he made it and why he made it, is all very smart,” Rausch continued. “He needs to protect his family and he loves the bureau, and we talked about that and he knew it was the right thing to do for the bureau. … [The way he handled it] is in line for what the bureau stands for.”
Rausch said he will begin searching for a deputy director immediately.
Locke was one of three finalists for the director position.