...“And from now on, all police officers will be held to a high standard here,” said Shoupe. “And we’re gonna take care of the problems. We’re not going to pass them on to another department. If they’ve done something bad enough to be dismissed on; then, they’ve done something bad enough to be decertified. That’s what we will be doing from now on”...Sheriff keeps promise to community
By Greg England
Staff Writer
greg@myspartanews.com
August 1, 2008
At a July 17 hearing in Nashville, a former White County Sheriff’s deputy [Marcus Caldwell] was decertified as a law enforcement officer. Sheriff Oddie Shoupe initiated the decertification process once he realized the situation could lead to problems for other communities.
“I promised the people that I’d clean this department up and I’m not going to pass my problems on to someone else... He cannot be a police officer in the state of Tennessee or any other state. He has exhausted all his appeals. The welfare of the public is number one here.”
Shoupe pointed to the number of cases across the nation where law enforcement officers have had serious issues that, at first, came across as questionable behavior but, eventually, evolved into more serious crimes or acts of violence. Many times, officers who have shown signs that serious issues were brewing were found to have been simply let go from one law enforcement entity only to be hired for a similar position in another county or state.
“Because of the sheriff’s promise to the public that we would clean our department up and that we wouldn’t pass our problems on, the sheriff started decertification with P.O.S.T. (Police Officer Standards and Training),” stated Chris Isom, detective and public information officer for the White County Sheriff’s office... “And from now on, all police officers will be held to a high standard here,” said Shoupe. “And we’re gonna take care of the problems. We’re not going to pass them on to another department. If they’ve done something bad enough to be dismissed on; then, they’ve done something bad enough to be decertified. That’s what we will be doing from now on.” [Full article here]
From the Sheriff's page:
"Sheriff Shoupe has a philosophy of zero tolerance towards the criminal element, which has been embraced by deputies and community alike.
Be the change you want to see in the world."
Sheriff Oddie J. Shoupe
sheriffoshoupe@whitecountysheriffsdepartment.com
1-931-836-3607
Tennessee Sheriff's Association
101 W. Main St.
TSALORRIE@aol.com
Lebanon, TN 37087
Phone - 615-547-0277
Dear Sheriff Shoupe,
ReplyDeleteI knew of no other way to approach you with this subject, so i decided to leave you a comment regarding the new commensary. Why is it that there is an extra $2.75 charge to put money into someone's commensary? I'm sorry but that is a bit ridiculous. Times are hard enough without adding more unnecessary charges!! The prices the inmates have to pay are high enough, but now more of their money gets taken out for something other than their use.....why is that? And what ever happened to people being allowed to bring in clear bottles of shampoo and some deodorant that hasn't been tampered with. Now I understand that rules have to be made and followed but the extra charges are pointless. Because of these rules some inmates will have to do with very little or without. I realize that when people do a crime they have to face their consequences, but they are still humans and they need their personal hygiene products just like you and me! I would really appreciate a response to this . Thank you
heyy he is the sherriff and wat he says goes i mean really we might not like it but sometimes its for the best you know wat im sayin
ReplyDeleteSparta Tennessee use to be a good little town back in my Days ... graduated in the 70's!! Seems to me its about to be demolished with the freakin Meth heads, pill poppers, drug dealers etc.....what in the world happened!!
ReplyDeleteGood to know that some people are stepping up. Hopefully the decline of dui cases in Lebanon, TN is due to some similar work. Keep at it Sheriff. Folks are counting on you.
ReplyDeleteBeing born and raised in Cumberland county and now being a resident of white county I'd have to say that white county is where I'd rather be as far as crime wise. I know that Butch Burgess sheriff of Cumberland county seems to let a lot of stuff slide and personally I think if you do the crime you must do the time! I commend Shoupe for his firmness in his stance against crime. If people wouldn't do wrong they wouldn't have to gripe about the way things are in jail! Naturally there are drugs everywhere and you can't rid them all but being firm and strict is the only way to put a dent in it.
ReplyDeleteWhy was Mr. Caldwell decertified exactly? I've known of officers that were fired for supporting the wrong candidate for sheriff or for other trivial matters, so just because someone is fired doesn't mean they should be decertified.
ReplyDelete