Controversial THP lieutenant placed on admnistrative leave

Two journalists, one country star among those Trooper Shirley accessed from database

Email | Print By A.C. Kleinheider

The Tennessee Highway Patrol Criminal Investigation Division at a press conference today announced that the THP lieutenant at the center of a controversy over alleged misuse of the Department of Safety's Web portal has been placed on administrative leave.

CID identified the profiles of 182 individuals as having been accessed by Lt. Ron Shirley between Oct. 19, 2006 and July 3, 2008, when his access to the database was terminated. The CID investigation of Shirley began July 2 of this year.

Due to the ongoing investigation, the names of those accessed will not be released. THP Col. Mike Walker did reveal in an answer to reporter's questions that while "no known public and elected officials" records were accessed, the names of two journalists are on the list as is the name of a country music star.

Officials could not say for certain whether any current or former candidates for office or any other unelected, politically connected or involved individuals are on the list. All names on the list will be contacted by phone and interviewed by investigators.

Officials stressed that, while private driver's license information, vehicle registration and license information were accessed, none of these queries are what are commonly considered to be a criminal history check under the National Crime Information Center database.

Shirley made six inquiries on the database of Tennessee convicted criminals (TOMIS) as well as one of the sex offender registry.

The Department of Safety has made a formal request of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to determine whether Shirley conducted criminal history checks.

Officials took umbrage at questions challenging the THP's ability to investigate its own, expressing "total confidence" in the agency's ability to do its job.

"Since January 2007, 12 state troopers have been terminated and three have resigned in lieu of termination," stated Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell. "The THP is very capable of conducting this investigation."