The Decherd Police Department recently received a complaint that a Decherd Police officer was illegally purchasing narcotics. An internal investigation was launched into the allegation.
During the investigation by Chief Kenneth Griffin and Sergeant Investigator Greg King, evidence was found to sustain the allegation.
A decision was made to initiate a control buy to confirm that Officer Dustin Cook was illegally purchasing prescription drugs. The buy took place within the City of Decherd on September 28th, and Cook was arrested by Griffin and King upon receipt of the narcotics. Cook was not on duty during the operation. Assistant Chief Paul Bennett and Master Sergeant Tyler Womack assisted in the operation. Chief Griffin terminated Cook’s employment at the time of the arrest.
A statement from Decherd Police says that they feel officers must be held to a higher standard and obey the laws they are sworn to uphold. The Decherd Police Department has a zero-tolerance drug policy, but there are resources to help employees who find themselves going down the wrong path. According to the police department, Cook never reached out for assistance and had past pre-employment and random drug screenings.
