Post by WaTcHeR on Sept 2, 2006 14:03:58 GMT -5
09.02.2006 - Tennessee - An investigation into money that went missing from the Smyrna Police Department's Drug Abuse Resistance Education program appears to be focusing on an officer instrumental in founding the program, Smyrna police officials said.
Former Sgt. Ken Hampton resigned July 21 after about 13 years. He served as a public information officer and a DARE officer.
Hampton was hired by the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department on Aug. 7, but resigned Aug. 25, according to the sheriff's department.
Hampton could not be reached for comment Friday night.
At the request of District Attorney Bill Whitesell, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the disappearance of an undisclosed amount of money from Smyrna's DARE program, Nancy Myers of the TBI said.
"We can't release any more information on this now because it's still an open investigation," Myers said.
There have been no indictments in the case, and TBI officials haven't declared anyone a suspect.
But Smyrna police officials said that Hampton personally opened a bank account in the name of the Smyrna DARE program and that the department first became aware of that account after Hampton left the department.
Hampton played a prominent role in the drug-resistance education program and worked in several Smyrna elementary schools, police Sgt. Scott Byers said.
His resignation from the Smyrna force came on the heels of an internal police investigation regarding a speeding ticket issued to him in Warren County, Ky., on May 31, 2004, which had led to the suspension of the sergeant's driver's license.
Kentucky safety officials notified the Tennessee Department of Safety that Hampton had failed to come to court or pay the ticket for traveling 80 mph in a 65 mph zone.
Since the citation had not been paid, a request to suspend Hampton's license was forwarded to the Tennessee Department of Safety. Hampton paid the ticket July 7, 2006, but was still unlicensed to drive in Tennessee as of July 11.
www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060902/COUNTY07/609020350/1006/NEWS01
Former Sgt. Ken Hampton resigned July 21 after about 13 years. He served as a public information officer and a DARE officer.
Hampton was hired by the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department on Aug. 7, but resigned Aug. 25, according to the sheriff's department.
Hampton could not be reached for comment Friday night.
At the request of District Attorney Bill Whitesell, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the disappearance of an undisclosed amount of money from Smyrna's DARE program, Nancy Myers of the TBI said.
"We can't release any more information on this now because it's still an open investigation," Myers said.
There have been no indictments in the case, and TBI officials haven't declared anyone a suspect.
But Smyrna police officials said that Hampton personally opened a bank account in the name of the Smyrna DARE program and that the department first became aware of that account after Hampton left the department.
Hampton played a prominent role in the drug-resistance education program and worked in several Smyrna elementary schools, police Sgt. Scott Byers said.
His resignation from the Smyrna force came on the heels of an internal police investigation regarding a speeding ticket issued to him in Warren County, Ky., on May 31, 2004, which had led to the suspension of the sergeant's driver's license.
Kentucky safety officials notified the Tennessee Department of Safety that Hampton had failed to come to court or pay the ticket for traveling 80 mph in a 65 mph zone.
Since the citation had not been paid, a request to suspend Hampton's license was forwarded to the Tennessee Department of Safety. Hampton paid the ticket July 7, 2006, but was still unlicensed to drive in Tennessee as of July 11.
www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060902/COUNTY07/609020350/1006/NEWS01