MEDIA ADVISORY: Micah Board Resigns in Lieu of Termination
Thursday, October 16, 2008 | 11:57am
NASHVILLE--- On Thursday, October 16, 2008, Trooper Micah Board resigned in lieu of termination following an investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and the THP Criminal Investigation Division (CID).
Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell placed Trooper Board on administrative leave Friday, October 3, 2008, after the department received an external complaint against him. On that date, THP’s Criminal Investigation Division initiated a formal investigation into allegations that included possible criminal violations and possible violations of departmental policies and procedures.
The CID investigation revealed Trooper Board was charged by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and pleaded guilty to hunting from a public road. The incident, which is a violation of TCA 70-4-108, occurred in Giles County on November 17, 2007, while Trooper Board was off-duty. Furthermore, in a separate incident, Trooper Board admitted to investigators that he had allowed an individual to fire one of his state-issued weapons. The investigation revealed the individual was a convicted felon. When the CID investigation is completed, the case file will be submitted to the local prosecutor for consideration of prosecution.
As a result of Board’s resignation, he forfeits his right to appeal through minimum due process and will be recommended by Commissioner Mitchell not to be allowed future employment within the Department of Safety.
Board, 31, was commissioned in June 2002, and was assigned to Cheatham County in the Nashville District.
Pending the on-going criminal investigation, this is all the Department of Safety can release at this time.
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.