NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Metro Nashville Police officer was decommissioned after video surfaces of him using possible excessive force.
Officer Barrett Teague was stripped of his police powers and assigned to plain clothes desk duty at another precinct Thursday afternoon. The Office of Professional Accountability has begun an investigation of the interaction.
The video shows an interaction between Teague and Dree Ensley at a Z-mart gas station on Dickerson Pike in Nashville.
It shows the officer forcefully grab and struggle with Ensley and throw her against another vehicle.
Metro Nashville Police Department Spokesperson Don Aaron said said in a statement that "they are very concerned with what the video shows."
Full Statement:
"The MNPD on Thursday afternoon was made aware of the video showing Officer Teague’s interaction with Ms. Ensley. The administration of the MNPD and Officer Teague’s supervisors at the East Precinct are very concerned with what the video shows. Officer Teague was decommissioned Thursday afternoon (police authority removed). He has been assigned to plain clothes desk duty at another precinct. The Office of Professional Accountability has begun an investigation of this interaction. An Office of Professional Accountability detective has reached out to Ms. Ensley and is awaiting a return call."
The woman took to social media to express her frustration:
Community Oversight Board Chair Ashlee Davis released a statement in response, saying they plan to investigate the incident.
"After reviewing the video, which COB staff received from several sources, the Community Oversight Board staff has decided to initiate an investigation into the matter that occurred on July 3, 2019. The COB staff, led by Mr. William Weeden, will follow COB complaint procedure, which calls for an impartial review and investigation into police misconduct allegations. This procedure will ensure that available video and witness statements are fully reviewed and considered prior to a final report and recommendation being issued to the Community Oversight Board. At the center of the COB’s purpose and mission is providing an accessible, respectful, independent, and effective forum for community participation in the fair investigation and resolution of complaints involving Metropolitan Nashville Police Department misconduct and the encouragement of open and constructive communication and cooperation between local law enforcement and Metro’s residents.”
"After reviewing the video, which COB staff received from several sources, the Community Oversight Board staff has decided to initiate an investigation into the matter that occurred on July 3, 2019. The COB staff, led by Mr. William Weeden, will follow COB complaint procedure, which calls for an impartial review and investigation into police misconduct allegations. This procedure will ensure that available video and witness statements are fully reviewed and considered prior to a final report and recommendation being issued to the Community Oversight Board. At the center of the COB’s purpose and mission is providing an accessible, respectful, independent, and effective forum for community participation in the fair investigation and resolution of complaints involving Metropolitan Nashville Police Department misconduct and the encouragement of open and constructive communication and cooperation between local law enforcement and Metro’s residents.”
