The Associated Press
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.- A Chattanooga police officer was fired amid allegations of sexual impropriety, the fifth officer terminated from the force since the first of the year.
Patrick Welles, 35, had sex in his patrol car while on duty in May, according to an internal affairs investigation. Welles, a former sergeant, had been with the department for 11 years.
''Our business is public safety,’' Police Chief Steve Parks said. ''The public relies on us to do our jobs with the highest degree of ethics.’'
Welles’ policy violations included conduct unbecoming an officer, improper ride-a-long procedure, failure to follow extra-job requirements, and misuse of city property, Parks said.
No criminal charges will be filed in the case, Parks said.
Welles and his attorney, Mike Richardson, could not be reached Tuesday for comment by the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Welles can appeal the chief’s decision before the City Council.
A former police supervisor, Gerry Davis, 35, is scheduled to be arraigned June 3 on rape charges.
Two more officers, Stephen Miller and Daniel Gibbs, got their jobs back recently after they were fired in January for allegedly using excessive force against a homeless man.
Administrators also fired officer Shane Webb earlier this year for using a Taser on a handcuffed man.
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