State to create universal police working off-duty patch in wake of Thin Blurred Line investigation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) -The state commission that governs police certification voted Friday to create a universal patch for off-duty law enforcement so the public can identify who is and isn’t a police officer.

The Police Officers Standards and Training Commission said the patches are needed in the wake of the “increasing issue” of security guards who are wearing police identification but are not certified law enforcement.

“This has been a big problem, we’ve had a lot of bad press about security,” said Coffee County Sheriff Chad Partin, a member of the commission.

Our “Thin Blurred Line” investigation exposed citizens wearing police identification, including how even a felon was able to work security and wear a police badge.

The non-certified people who we found wearing police identification all work or worked for the Mt. Juliet company Solaren.

Its CEO, Jack Byrd, routinely wears police identification but isn’t law enforcement.

At the POST commission, neither Solaren nor Byrd were mentioned by name, but members did discuss what we’ve uncovered.

“We have people out and about who are reporting themselves to be police – and we have no idea where they are employed – if they’re employed, of if they’re certified, or they’ve been decertified, but yet, they are still wearing insignia that say police,” said Chip Kain, POST’s executive secretary.

Jesse Gentry, general counsel for the state department of commerce and insurance, pointed out the confusion this brings to the public. “They’re looking more and more like police or military,” Gentry said.

The board voted to create a universal patch that will not only identify who is and isn’t certified law enforcement working off duty, but it would also read which police agency they work for.

Gentry said the agency will do audits and inspections of security companies to make sure they are following procedures once the badge is implemented.

Gentry also said that the state will pay for the creation of the patch, but it will be up to individuals working for security companies to buy and wear them.

While the current plan is for Middle Tennessee counties to have the patches, Partin said it should extend across the state.

“If we’re going to do this – we need to do this statewide. Better for everybody,” Partin said.

WSMV4 Investigates will keep you posted on when the patch is designed and how it will be available.

If there’s anything you want us to know about this story, email Jeremy.finley@wsmv.com

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