MILLERSVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Millersville Police Department's top leadership will step down, with the police chief and assistant police chief putting in their two-week notice.
This comes just days after the Tennessee POST Commission said the department was operating illegally for staffing full-time officers Chief Melvin Brown and Assistant Chief Glenn Alread who weren’t certified.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates has followed this story from its inception.
Investigators with the POST Commission were told to go back to Millersville and take a closer look at timesheets to see if either Chief Brown or Assistant Chief Alred were working full-time. Neither of these men is certified by the state, which would make it illegal to work full-time hours.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates was at the POST Commission meeting last Friday and heard investigators say they confirmed with City Manager Scott Avery that Brown was working full-time when he wasn’t supposed to.
Back in March, NewsChannel 5 Investigates discovered thatAlred had made multiple traffic stops on his own without a certified officer on scene. This led to a tense meeting with POST Commissioners where they told both men they had to complete training for their certification which had long since expired. Both men were told they could only work part-time until this was done.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates found out on Friday that Brown had been working full-time ever since that meeting and Alred signed up for the police academy this summer but never went.
Avery told NewsChannel 5 Investigates Alred has been part-time, but investigators said they receive complaints every two to three weeks about Alred working full-time when he shouldn’t be.
Avery argues that they did get a waiver for Brown after he suffered an injury. The waiver was meant to give Brown more time before he began transition school in August. Avery told us the waiver made it seem as if Brown could work full-time until he reported for training.
POST officials, however, said that's not how the policy is written.
It’s still too early to tell if investigators found anything when they went back to review Millersville records.
According to Alred, he says he's stepping down because of the "ongoing and relentless harassment through false allegations" directed at him and the police department.
Brown's resignation letter, says he plans to make the best of the remaining years left on his GI Bill Education Benefits and complete a post-graduate degree program.
7/22/2023
Mr. Avery,
Per our conversation this past weekend:
ACOP Alred & I will not share this information internally until you decide.
Please consider this I my notice to resign from MPD effective 04Aug23.
Glenn Alred MPD Assistant Chief has also submitted same.
Please see attached
Although I appreciate very much your great support and guidance and the 5-0 confirmation vote of the commission as well as the efforts of the MPD team as well as the support of many in the community this is still necessary.
The VA has reminded me that just over two years remain on my Post 9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits eligibility that will allow me to complete a post-graduate degree program without tuition plus a monthly stipend.
In consideration of this I cannot devote the appropriate efforts to work full time as MPD Police Chief and complete the degree program at the same time.
Additionally, my family, students, team mates, and I have grown weary of periodic information by the P.O.S.T. Commission and other anonymous allegations regarding staff members being published by local media in out of context sound bites that would lead one to believe something is amiss despite supporting statements from a P.O.S.T. Investigator and local District Attorney General.
So, also I will withdraw from the Aug/Sept 2023 Transition Course and allow someone else to use that seat if needed.
And we will cancel our registration and lodging at the upcoming TACP Conference.
Sincerely,
Chief of Police
Melvin S. Brown Jr., MSCJ
Millersville Police Department
To: Melvin S. Brown
Chief of Police
City of Millersville Police Department
Dear Chief Brown, It is with a regretful heart that I, Glenn R. Alred, must submit my resignation as the Assistant Chief of Police for the City of Millersville Police Department, effective August 04, 2023. I have cherished my time working with the dedicated law enforcement professionals in our department, including the Chief of Police, city manager, and our officers. However, due to recent circumstances, I find it necessary to step away from my position. The reason for my resignation is the ongoing and relentless harassment through false allegations directed at myself, the Chief of Police, the city manager, and our officers.
The Mayor, Vice Mayor, several of their family members, and certain community members have pursued a personal vendetta against us, seeking personal gain at the expense of our professional reputation. These individuals have resorted to spreading false information on social media platforms and reaching out to the media to propagate a fabricated narrative. Their actions have not only caused immense pain to the Millersville Police Department and the City but have also significantly impacted my personal life, my family, and my health. I have reached the point where I can no longer endure or tolerate the hostile working environment created by these individuals. The constant barrage of false accusations and their subsequent dissemination have undermined the integrity of our department and hindered our ability to serve and protect our community effectively. It is with great sadness that I have come to this decision, as I have always been committed to upholding the highest standards of law enforcement.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the citizens, other commissioners, and all those who have supported our efforts to maintain public safety. I also extend my appreciation to the dedicated members of the Millersville Police Department, whose professionalism and commitment have been unwavering throughout these challenging times. I will ensure a smooth transition during my remaining time in the department and offer my assistance in any way possible to ensure the continuity of operations. I am confident that the department will overcome these challenges and continue to serve the community with distinction.
I kindly request that you process my resignation accordingly and provide any necessary information regarding the resignation processes. Please let me know if there is anything further required from my end to facilitate a seamless transition. Thank you for your understanding and support. It has been an honor to serve the City of Millersville Police Department, and I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have gained during my tenure.
Sincerely, Glenn R. Alred
He too says part of the reason for his departure is, "the POST Commission and other anonymous allegations regarding staff members being published by local media in out-of-context sound bites that would lead one to believe something is amiss despite supporting statements from a POST investigator and local District Attorney General."
NewsChannel 5 Investigates does know that POST commissioners strongly urged Sumner County District Attorney Ray Whitley to launch an investigation after he initially declined to prosecute.
This is the same department where officers have filed multiple discrimination lawsuits, which was followed by their last two police chiefs stepping down.
This now makes it three police chiefs who’ve resigned from Millersville since the beginning of last year.
Avery says the plan now is to have two of their top lieutenants rotate shifts as acting police chief after Alred and Brown leave the department.
