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Robin Smith named Oak Ridge police chief

Posted at 11:07 am October 23, 2018
By John Huotari 7 Comments

Oak Ridge Police Chief Robin Smith (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

Oak Ridge Police Chief Robin Smith (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

Robin Smith, who had been deputy chief, has been promoted to police chief, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said Tuesday.

Smith has served as acting chief for the Oak Ridge Police Department since August. Former Police Chief James T. Akagi has retired.

“The Oak Ridge Police Department is an effective team built with good people who care about our community,” Smith said. “We want Oak Ridge to be a safe place for people to live, work and visit. I’m proud to be a member of the team.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: James T. Akagi, Mark Watson, Oak Ridge police chief, Oak Ridge Police Department, Robin Smith

Attorney: Police chief did not violate federal law by carrying firearm

Posted at 3:48 pm June 30, 2015
By John Huotari 20 Comments

James T. Akagi

James T. Akagi

Note: This story was last updated at 10:05 p.m.

Answer pending on question of state law; POST has no current investigation

Federal officials have concluded that Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi did not violate federal law while carrying a firearm during divorce proceedings several years ago, the chief’s attorney said in a letter received by state officials this month.

In April, the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, or POST, asked state and federal authorities to investigate whether Akagi violated state and federal laws by possessing a firearm after being issued an ex parte order of protection during divorce proceedings in Blount County three years ago.

Tasha C. Blakney, Akagi’s attorney, summarized a conversation with Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Cook about the inquiry in a June 12 letter that was copied to Ray Farris, assistant director of POST. On Monday, Oak Ridge Today requested an update from POST, which certifies law enforcement officers in Tennessee, and received a copy of the letter.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Tennessee, Top Stories, U.S. Tagged With: divorce proceedings, ex parte order of protection, James T. Akagi, Jim Akagi, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge police chief, order of protection, Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, POST, Ray Farris, Steven H. Cook

Guest column: Council member offers summary of events related to ORPD investigation

Posted at 10:48 am May 26, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Guest Columns 37 Comments

Trina Baughn

Trina Baughn

By Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn

Given that there is some confusion over recent events, I offer the following summary about where we are, how we got here, and where we are headed with regards to the Oak Ridge Police Department investigation.

The ORPD has seen a total turnover rate of 45 percent in the last four years, having lost 34 of our 76 employees. Five of those individuals have departed in the last four months. Since February, all Council members have received communications from at least seven former officers, three current officers, and countless citizens expressing concerns about leadership and a potentially hostile work environment. Others have communicated anonymously citing similar concerns and attributing their anonymity to fears of retaliation.

On February 9, during a five-hour televised meeting, and in front of the largest audience any of us had ever seen, City Council formally committed to investigate the root causes behind the turnover, morale, and policy issues in the Police Department.

The resolution that was ultimately approved was brought forward by Council member Kelly Callison who stated that “We think that’s a broad, a very broad term that allows an investigator, an independent investigator to look at the issues that might be present…”  At the end of the meeting, councilmember Chuck Hope stated, “The investigation that we’ve come to an agreement among the seven of us was reached unanimously…there’s enough information that it warrants an investigation…”

During this same meeting, Council committed to ensure that the investigation would allow for the anonymity of all participants and would include both current and past employees. Mr. Callison also suggested that council select Municipal Technical Advisory Service, specifically Rex Barton, to perform the work. Council did not select MTAS at the time, but agreed to hold a special meeting to select an entity to conduct the investigation and define its parameters. Information regarding the other resolutions that Council rejected can be found here. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Guest Columns, Opinion Tagged With: Bobby Hill, investigation, Kelly Callison, Margaret Norris, Mark Watson, morale, MTAS, Municipal Technical Advisory Service, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge police chief, Oak Ridge Police Department, order of protection, ORPD, ORPD investigation, policy issues, POST Commission, review, Rex Barton, special meeting, Tennessee Municipal League, TML, Trina Baughn, turnover, turnover rate, Warrant Gooch

Police chief tackles one of two men fleeing in vehicle, on foot

Posted at 11:45 am February 6, 2013
By John Huotari 9 Comments

James T. Akagi

James T. Akagi

A police pursuit of a speeding SUV through Scarboro on Monday ended when Oak Ridge Police Chief James T. Akagi tackled one of two men who ran from the vehicle, and backup officers apprehended the second, court records said.

In affidavits filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court, Akagi said he was in an unmarked police car turning left onto Tulsa Road from Tusculum Drive at about 5:10 p.m. Monday when he heard screeching tires and saw a Ford Explorer approaching him from behind at high speed.

The chief said he quickly turned left onto Tulsa Road and pulled to the right to avoid being struck. The Explorer did not stop and swerved right onto Tulsa Road, Akagi said in the affidavits.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County General Sessions Court, evading arrest, James T. Akagi, Justin M. Harris, Landon Duvall Thomas, Oak Ridge police chief, Oak Ridge Police Chief James T. Akagi, police pursuit, reckless driving, resisting arrest, Scarboro, South Benedict Avenue, Spelman Avenue

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