East Ridge Police Chief J.R. Reed was placed on administrative leave last Wednesday pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, city officials said Monday.

Acting City Manager Kenny Custer said accusations of “three or four” policy violations are at the root of the investigation. Custer did not elaborate on the nature of the policy violations and did not have a timetable for when the investigation may be completed. Assistant Chief Stan Allen will be the acting chief of police in the city.

Custer said an October 21 incident involving patrol officers allegedly employing a “choke hold” on a man they were subduing was not a factor in Reed having been placed on administrative leave.

Chief J.R. Reed

Chief Reed did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Reed, a 28-year veteran of the East Ridge Police Department, was appointed to the Chief’s position by former City Manager Andrew Hyatt in January of 2014. Reed had attained the rank of Sergeant and at the time of his appointment to police chief was the head of the department’s traffic division.

In addition to placing Reed on leave, Custer terminated Officer Adam Rose after a four-week internal affairs investigation. Custer said that Rose had violated a city policy pertaining to moral turpitude. Rose, 28, was hired on Aug. 25, 2016.

In a statement released late Monday,  East Ridge officials said that it is the City’s position that Mr. Rose engaged in conduct contrary to the community standards of honesty, justice and/or good moral values particularly in light that he is a sworn police officer for the City of East Ridge and charged to uphold higher standards than those generally accepted by ordinary citizens. 

Three sources who wish to remain anonymous told East Ridge News Online that Rose had a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old student from East Ridge High School.