Davidson County Sheriff launches investigation into security company accused of allowing imposter police in Nashville
Investigation comes as Solaren fights against state violations in court.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office is launching an investigation into potential “misuse” of their employees and policy violations by Solaren, a Mt. Juliet security company.
The company, and its CEO Jack Byrd, are at the center of our “Thin Blurred Line” investigations that show how “imposter police officers” are working in Nashville.
Following our reporting into citizens without state certification wearing police identification, the state issued 62 violations against Solaren.
In response to the violations, Byrd’s attorneys responded in court, asking for an administrative law judge to dismiss the case.
Among Solaren’s arguments is that their employees, who also work at the Davidson County Sheriff’s office as off-duty security, should be able to wear police identification because they have “special law enforcement powers.”
WSMV4 Investigates reached out to the sheriff’s office for comment about that claim, as deputies in Davidson County are assigned as guards in the jail and serve civil warrants.
In a series of emails to WSMV4 Investigates, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office wrote that their deputies are not certified to be police in Tennessee.
“The Nashville-Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is looking into the allegations of potential DCSO policy violations and misuse of our employees by Solaren Risk Management. It should be made clear the owner of this company, Jack Byrd, was employed by the DCSO from 2011 - 2015, and is keenly aware our employees do not have criminal arrest powers,” the spokeswoman wrote.
In response, Byrd emailed WSMV Investigates, “If the Sheriff has any questions or concerns, he’s got my cell phone number. As (the sheriff’s spokeswoman) referenced, I am keenly aware of their policies and practices, perhaps more so than some still employed in their executive leadership. I’d dare say that organization desires to unbury these hatchets, but they’re here if they want them.”
The state also issued violations on Solaren for allowing citizen security guards to use police blue/red lights.
Byrd’s attorneys responded in court filings that the state did not identify which of their employees used police blue/red lights, so the violations should be dismissed.
The violations will now either be addressed by an administrative law judge or handled in mediation, whichever comes first.
If there’s something you think WSMV Investigates should know about this, please email Jeremy.finley@wsmv.com.
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