by Chris Cannon
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - A
Franklin police officer was suspended after an internal investigation into an
alcohol-related incident last fall.
Officer Brent Rose is a
13-year-veteran of the Franklin Police Department and a former DUI course
instructor. He has been serving a five-day suspension without pay.
On November 3, 2013 Sgt.
J.P. Taylor noticed a parked car in the parking lot exit of Tin Roof 2 on
Carothers Parkway in Franklin.
When Taylor went over to
the car he found it was running and the driver was passed out and slumped over
the wheel. He then noticed the driver was fellow officer Brent Rose.
Taylor called for back-up
and Officer Megan Valentin arrived on the scene. She moved Rose's personal car
to a parking space.
Valentin said she noticed a
32-ounce cup full of what she believed to be whiskey and Coke inside the car.
She got Rose's cell phone
from his car and the two officers allowed him to call a friend to pick him up
at the scene.
When Rose went to leave
with his friend, Valentin said he tried to stand up and fell face-first into
shrubbery.
Franklin Police Chief David
Rahinsky was notified about the incident the next day.
"I was disappointed in
the initial decision, and disappointed in Officer Rose," Rahinsky said.
"His behavior was not indicative of level of professionalism we hold the
men and women of this department."
An internal investigation
was started into the incident, and after that process was completed, the chief
took disciplinary action against Rose.
The officer was suspended
for five days without pay. Rose will be required to take six random alcohol
tests over the next 12 months. He was also made to sign a "Last Chance
Agreement".
"Basically puts him on
notice, the slightest mis-cue, miss step, or error in judgement will result in
his termination." Rahinsky explained.
Rose will no longer be able
to teach DUI courses at the state police academy.
"He's lost that
privilege. He's in a position now where he needs to regain the trust of his
co-workers, and the trust of the community," Rahinsky said.
There is also an internal
investigation into the decision Sgt. Taylor and Officer Valentin not to arrest
Rose during the incident.
Chief Rahinsky said he has
contacted the District Attorney General to see if her office should pursue
criminal charges in connection with this case.