Crowe says Phillips should have led reorganization of THP

December 15, 2005

By BEN INGRAM
NET News Service Times News

Despite the recent resignation of Safety Commissioner Fred Phillips following findings that several Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers had criminal records, state Sen. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City, said Wednesday that Phillips shouldn't have been the one to take the fall.

"I believe that it would have been smart on the part of the governor to let him take the reins in restructuring the department," Crowe said of Phillips, who was serving as Washington County sheriff before being appointed as Safety Department commissioner by Gov. Phil Bredesen. "As of right now, I am still waiting for an answer as to why he resigned."

Phillips' resignation came not only in light of the criminal records of some THP employees that ranged from aggravated assault to reckless endangerment, but also after allegations of political favoritism and the resignation of THP commander Col. Lynn Pitts. Pitts was forced to step down from his position after he allegedly violated state law by purchasing a boat seized by the THP and put up for sale as surplus state property.

"Obviously, my first concern was for Fred because I have known him for a while and kind of gone up the ladder in state and local government with him," Crowe said.

"I really hate that this happened because I trust that Fred has the greatest ability to grasp all aspects of law enforcement, especially in this state. But knowing Fred, when the time is right, he will speak out."

To Crowe, none of the allegations or findings have affected his view of Phillips.

"I don't doubt for a minute that he is the same good law enforcement chief as he was when he was sheriff here," he said. "What puzzles me is still, why the governor didn't let him head the reorganization."

Crowe said everything from Phillips' resignation to the political favoritism in the form of campaign contributions given to Bredesen by members of the THP or their relatives in return for promotions have him puzzled.

"What I do know is that the hiring process in the THP was very political in the old days," he said. "But it seemed that it had become less and less political since.

"I was under the impression that that practice had lessened, but it apparently is still there."

Crowe also felt that the department was lacking in the area of background investigations following the revelation of criminal records by troopers.

Still, he is confident that Transportation Commissioner Jerry Nicely, who will serve as safety commissioner for 60 days, is someone who can fill the position for however long he is needed.

"Nicely is known for his ability to restructure and manage, and was probably one of the governor's best options to straighten things out," Crowe said. "But no one has the myriad of education and background in law enforcement that Fred Phillips does. ... And I can tell you that Fred Phillips has not lost any respect around here."

As for any legislation that might arise, Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, opened hearings concerning the THP Wednesday to determine if any new laws should be created.

"We're looking into the sufficiency of the background checks as well as promotional patronage," Norris said. "We have a lot to look into, those and the sale of the seized boat.

"We'll look into the laws prohibiting campaign contributions in other states, and we probably need to look into the requirements for the annual audit of the THP."

Norris said these could be the opening days of what could be a lengthy investigation.

State officials also announced earlier in the week that an international security consulting company had been hired to help clean up the Department of Safety.