MEDIA ADVISORY: Lieutenant Shirley’s Termination Recommendation Upheld
Thursday, October 16, 2008 | 07:42am
NASHVILLE --- Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell today upheld the recommendation to terminate Lieutenant Ronnie Shirley’s employment with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Wednesday, Commissioner Mitchell received the recommendation from the manager who conducted Lieutenant Shirley’s minimum due process discussion, which was held on October 9, 2008. Lieutenant Shirley was notified of the Commissioner’s decision this morning.
Lieutenant Shirley was served a minimum due process letter for termination September 3, 2008. Colonel Mike Walker recommended Shirley be terminated following an investigation by the Department of Safety’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and the Criminal Investigation Division (CID). Those investigations found that Lieutenant Shirley used the Integrated Criminal Justice Web Portal (ICJWP) to access information on 182 individuals without proper authorization.
Last month, CID Investigators turned over their criminal case file to the Davidson County District Attorney and the United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Tennessee. Commissioner Mitchell has requested a prosecutorial opinion from both state and federal prosecutors.
Pursuant to Department of Personnel rules and regulations, Lieutenant Shirley has the right to appeal the decision upholding his termination to a Level IV due process hearing.
The minimum due process decision and notification letter are both attached to this media release.
The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.