Brownsville Investigator Retires Following Investigation
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An internal investigation into the handling of evidence at the Brownsville Police Department has left Lt. Shawn Williams, a 22-year veteran of the department, out of a job. “We have a very strict protocol within the Brownsville Police Department on the handling of evidence and items seized,” said Mayor Jo Matherne of Brownsville. Officials said a flood caused by a burst pipe in the Criminal Investigation Building, last month, led to the damage of evidence from an investigation from 10 years ago. Lt. Williams said the items should have been moved to the evidence room but were not due to an oversight. Authorities said the damaged evidence was not properly disposed of which led to a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation inquiry to determine whether any criminal activities were committed. “The TBI did a three-week-long investigation,” said Mayor Matherne. She added the TBI investigation concluded there was no criminal activity committed. However, Mayor Matherne said the internal investigation by the Brownsville Police Department determined Lt. Williams did not follow proper protocol in the disposing of the evidence. Matherne said Lt. Williams had a conversation with the chief of police concerning the matter which ended in Lt. Williams voluntarily retiring from the department. “Maybe it was time for me to move on anyway,” said Lt. Williams. Williams said. Although he wishes his career with the Brownsville Police Department had ended differently, he said there was very little room for upward mobility at the department. “The only way I was going to be able to move up was if we got a new mayor and they decided to replace the police chief and whoever the new mayor was decided to replace them with me,” said Lt. Williams. Williams said he plans to spend time with his family before looking for another job in law enforcement. Lt. Williams has been on paid, administrative leave since the investigations began in mid-June and will continue to be paid due to accrued vacation time through August 12.
