Tennessee Highway Patrol Captain Resigns in Lieu of Termination Following Internal Investigation

NASHVILLE --- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons and Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Tracy Trott today announced that a captain in the Nashville district has resigned in lieu of termination following an internal investigation into department policy violations.

Brian Lawson, 42, resigned late Thursday. The department placed Lawson on discretionary leave with pay on October 28, the same day the department opened an investigation into reported policy violations. All departmental equipment including weapons, badges, and commission card were secured at that time.

The investigation revealed that Lawson’s actions constituted conduct unbecoming for a department employee by drinking alcohol and operating a state vehicle and then being untruthful to investigators.

Lawson has been a Tennessee state trooper since 1996. He was named captain over the THP Nashville district in 2013.

It is the Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s policy to warn, suspend, demote or dismiss any employee whenever just or legal cause exists. Employees shall not commit any act that would reflect discredit upon themselves or the department while on or off duty.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.

###