Two Chattanooga Police officers have been terminated after allegations they used excessive force against a man at a Salvation Army halfway house. The FBI is also carrying out an investigation.
On June 14, Chattanooga Police officers were dispatched to a disorder at 800 McCallie Ave., the Salvation Army Federal Halfway House, where Adam J. Tatum, 36, was arrested for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, two counts of aggravated assault on police, and possession of marijuana.
Police said, "A few weeks after the incident, Police Chief Bobby Dodd was notified regarding possible excessive use of force allegations against Officers Sean Emmer and Adam Cooley, who were involved in the arrest of Tatum. After reviewing the case file and video footage of the incident, Chief Dodd initiated an Internal Affairs investigation regarding the allegations. He also contacted the local Federal Bureau of Investigations Office to review the case for possible civil rights violations and/or criminal charges on the officers.
"Due to the nature of this incident, both officers were removed from their patrol duties and placed on special assignment conducting non-law enforcement activities.
"As a result of the internal affairs investigation and disciplinary hearing, which was held today, both officers have been terminated from the Chattanooga Police Department. The specific details of the case, including audio and video files, cannot be released due the ongoing investigation by the FBI. The internal affairs report will not be released at this time due to new information about another officer possibly involved, that was just brought to light during the disciplinary hearing today, which will be investigated by the Internal Affairs Unit."