David Catchings
A city detective who was arrested twice in four months has been fired by Police Chief Fred Fletcher.
David Catchings had been charged with DUI last September and then with domestic assault at the end of the year.
Police said, "After a complete review of both investigations – which included recommendations from Internal Affairs, the Administrative Review Committee and Officer Catchings’ chain of command – Chief of Police Fred Fletcher sustained violations of Code of Conduct – Unbecoming Conduct (both incidents) and Improper Dissemination of Information (assault investigation). Chief Fletcher terminated Officer Catchings as a result of these sustained violations.
"Chief Fletcher will also be requesting a decertification of David Catchings’ Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) certification as a qualified police officer."
Catchings and
Sarah Creekmore, 30, were arrested in September. She was charged with public intoxication and making a false police report. In the report, she was identified as the detective's girlfriend.
County Deputy Matthew Purvis said he received a report from a motorist who said a black Charger almost hit him head-on. He said the vehicle was weaving and almost hit other cars.
The caller said he followed the Charger to the parking lot of Lakewood Baptist Church on Hunter Road and waited for officers to arrive.
The deputy said Catchings identified himself as an officer and asked for help. The affidavit says, "He advised we were brothers and I should be arresting bad guys. He stated his aunt signs my paycheck and advised I was a rookie and I didn't know anything about police work."
Deputy Purvis said Catchings later "asked to try and work things out."
He said there was a strong odor of alcohol and both admitted drinking. Ms. Creekmore said she had had several beers. She said they had been to her house in Ooltewah. Neither could say where they were headed.
The report says Catchings failed field sobriety tests and refused to take a blood-alcohol test. His blood was later drawn after a warrant was obtained.
The deputy said Catchings stated that his wife would come to pick up his car.
Catchings was later charged in an incident in which he allegedly hit his mother-in-law.