LaFollette PD Capt. Steve Wallen was investigated for allegations involving a fixed ticket, but the district attorney general declined to prosecute.
LAFOLLETTE, Tenn. — Next Tuesday, LaFollette City Council will vote on whether to name Capt. Steve Wallen the city’s new police chief.
The city council agenda stated that, if approved, his appointment would begin on August 13, 2022.
Wallen was investigated earlier this year amid allegations that he arranged a traffic ticket for someone he “knew from childhood”.
In a memo declining to prosecute Capt. Wallen, District Attorney General Jared Effler said Capt. Wallen located a citation in the LaFollette Police Department’s call room, reviewed it, and decided to withdraw it. of the plateau before it can be processed by the town of LaFollette. To research.
The TBI investigated the incident and Captain Wallen was suspended from the police force without pay until the investigation was resolved.
However, the city judge told investigators that oversight of the tickets before they are entered into the court system is “exclusively with the chef and staff,” Gen. Effler said in his memo.
Therefore, General Effler declared that Captain Wallen had not committed a criminal act by removing the citation.
“Captain Wallen said he was acting in good faith, following instructions from the LaFollette City Judge to prevent unnecessary citations from reaching court,” the memo reads.
If approved, Captain Wallen will replace Bill Roehl as police chief at LaFollette. LaFollette City Council will meet on Tuesday, August 2 at 5:30 p.m.
