Two Former Memphis Officers Face Decertification Hearings

News Summary

Two former Memphis police officers, Deedrick Collier and Mikhail Payne, are facing potential decertification amid serious misconduct allegations. Collier is accused of claiming injury from a traffic incident that body cam footage disproved, while Payne resigned after being filmed engaging in inappropriate conduct in public. Their hearings before the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission could decide their future in law enforcement.

Two Former Memphis Officers Face the Music: Decertification Hearings on the Horizon!

In the vibrant city of Memphis, two former police officers are in hot water as they prepare to face potential decertification due to serious misconduct allegations. Deedrick Collier and Mikhail Payne are slated to attend a hearing in front of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) this Thursday, where they will have their chance to explain their actions. But will this be enough to save their careers?

What’s the Deal with Deedrick Collier?

Let’s start by diving into the situation surrounding Deedrick Collier. The incident that has landed him in this predicament took place on Halloween 2023. That day, he responded to a crash involving a woman who managed to hit a fire hydrant. However, the plot thickens when the woman decided to drive off, leading Collier to claim something astonishing: he said she actually struck him with her vehicle! As a result of this claim, he filed for On the Job Injury pay and sick benefits, leaving him off work for a whole 30 days.

But hold on a second! When the Memphis Police Department (MPD) reviewed body camera footage from the incident, it revealed a different story. The footage showed that Collier never made contact with the vehicle at all! After realizing this, MPD took swift action by recommending Collier’s decertification, indicating issues related to truthfulness and accusations of faking an illness or injury. It’s quite a turn of events, don’t you think?

Mikhail Payne in the Spotlight

Now, shifting gears to Mikhail Payne, whose misconduct came to light on May 30, 2024. In an unsettling turn of events, Payne was filmed by another patron while engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct in a public setting. The incident lasted around sixteen seconds, and witnesses reported that several other patrons were close by when this occurred. This incident understandably raised eyebrows and fueled public outcry.

Following this scandal, Payne chose to resign from the MPD to avoid termination. Naturally, this raises questions about accountability in the police force and how such behavior can slip through the cracks in the first place!

The Stakes Are High

As both officers gear up for their informal hearing on Thursday, they’ll have the opportunity to defend their actions before a panel that holds their futures in its hands. If a formal vote to decertify them transpires on Friday, both could lose their Tennessee law enforcement certifications for good. However, there’s a catch: if either officer decides not to attend the hearing, they will be automatically decertified before the final decision is made, making it crucial for them to show up and present their cases.

This situation is raising questions not only about the individuals involved but also about the state of law enforcement integrity in Memphis. The community is watching, and there’s a palpable sense of anticipation about how the POST commission will handle the hearings. Will Collier and Payne manage to escape this turbulent process with their careers intact, or will their actions lead to a permanent exit from the police force? Only time will tell!

As more details emerge and the hearings unfold, the spotlight on Memphis law enforcement shines brighter than ever. The hope is that whatever the outcome, the community will see a commitment to upholding standards and ensuring that those who protect and serve also adhere to the highest ethical practices.

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Additional Resources

• Action News 5
• Fox 13 Memphis
• Local Memphis
• Google Search: Memphis Police Decertification
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Law Enforcement