Sheriff candidate reportedly fired for inappropriate conduct

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ? A candidate for sheriff in Hamilton County had been fired from the Chattanooga Police Department in 2003 amid allegations of inappropriate conduct while working as school resource officer.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported on Saturday that Democratic candidate Anthony W. Chatman was fired after an internal investigation concluded he acted inappropriately with students and teachers at Howard High School.

Former police chief Jimmie Dotson wrote in a letter of termination that Chatman had engaged in “inappropriate comments and contact by you with multiple students and teachers during your course of duties as a school resource officer at Howard High School.”

Chatman did not return phone calls to the newspaper seeking comment.

The termination was upheld by the Chattanooga City Council and in Hamilton County Chancery Court. The case is now before the Tennessee Court of Appeals.

The sheriff primary is May 2 and the general election is Aug. 3.

Incumbent John Cupp has not indicated if he will seek re-election.