Police officer facing discipline resigns

A Bartlett police officer facing departmental charges on abuse of sick leave and absenteeism resigned June 20.

Officer Zack Watkins’ resignation letter said: “It has been an honor to work with such an amazing group of professionals. I am grateful for all that the department has done for me over the years.”

Watkins was cited for absenteeism and abuse of the city’s sick leave policy for taking sick days as soon as he earned them. The absences caused other officers to fill his shifts and cost the city overtime, according to the statement of charges written by Capt. Tina Schaber.

“Watkins has always (shown) a pattern of us- ing his sick leave almost as soon as he earns it,” Schaber wrote. “The fact that he has zero sick leave on the books, and he has been an employee since January 2001, shows he abuses his leave.”

She also noted that Watkins was counseled about the absences previously.

“He basically said it (was) because he was allowed to do it and that he had his four kids on all his days off and he needed some ‘me’ time,” Schaber said in the statement of charges.

Clay Bailey held for the action of the grand jury.

Verdarrious Williams, 19, faces several charges in connection with the case, where a 14-year-old was robbed at his residence by a group of people. The other adult — Deon Jones, 19 — also waived his preliminary hearing. Three juveniles also were cited in the case.

Williams, charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary and conspiracy to commit a felony, remained free on $150,000 bond after his appearance in Bartlett Municipal Court.

According to police reports, some of the group went to the victim’s house to play video games, then the others showed up. The victim’s hands were bound with duct tape and his legs were tied with a cord. The victim said a gun was pointed at his head and the trigger pulled, but the gun failed to discharge. He also said a machete was run across his back in a threatening manner. Police found many of the items taken at a suspect’s house.

Clay Bailey