(The Center Square) – Monterey Police Chief Bill Randolph is facing several charges for allegedly going shopping and dining out with his wife instead of going to a training conference, according to Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower.
An investigative report released Thursday shows that Randolph asked a subordinate officer to scan in QR attendance codes for the November 2022 conference to make it appear as if he had taken the training. The police chief received $1,200 for overnight accommodations, $275 in per diem and nearly a $55 fuel reimbursement. The town also paid for the chief’s $400 conference registration fee and $25 for his Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Officer’s Association membership, according to the report.
“Prior to the conference, Randolph asked one of the department’s officers which classes the officer signed up for, and Randolph then enrolled in the same classes,” the report said. “The 2022 TLETOA conference required attendees to log their attendance by scanning a Quick Response (QR) code. Randolph did not attend any of the classes, but he scanned his attendance QR codes sent to him via text message by one of the two other department officers who attended the conference classes.”
The police chief received 36 training hours, according to the report.
“Randolph informed investigators that he felt he did nothing wrong but noted he would be willing to pay back any amount spent during the conferences he did not attend,” the report said.
A Putnam County grand jury indicted Randolph on one count of theft of property over $1,000, three counts of official misconduct, one count of forgery over $1,000, one count of false entries in governmental records, and one count of violation of the Tennessee Personal and Commercial Computer Act of 2003, according to information provided by the comptroller’s office.
“This investigation raises several ethical concerns,” Mumpower said. “By engaging his subordinates in his actions, the chief abused his position, and he has potentially damaged the public trust in the management of the department.”
Randolph has been suspended pending investigation, Monterey Mayor Alex Garcia said in an email to The Center Square.