COMPLAINT

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office

Internal Affairs Division
Case Number: 21TR-0007(IA)
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/2/2021
DATE OF COMPLAINT: 1/12/2021
DATE OF COMPLETION: 2/1/2021

INVESTIGATOR(s): Sergeant Robert Lee, 1829HS

COMPLAINANT(s): Collegedale Police Department

SUBJECT EMPLOYEE(S): Brian Hickman

ASSIGNMENT: Collegedale Police

RANK: Chief of Police

ALLEGATION(S): Violation of Collegedale Police Pursuit Policy

Chief Brian
Hickman
Findings: Sustained

Summary of Complaint:

On January 12, 2021 the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs was tasked by Sheriff
Hammond, at the request of Collegedale City Manager Teddy Rogers to conduct an investigation
into an incident involving Police Chief Brian Hickman.

The allegation is Chief Hickman was involved in a pursuit while off duty in his personal vehicle
when he was struck by the fleeing party.
Investigation Timeline: 21TR-0007 (IA)

1/12/2021 Collegedale City Manager Ted Rogers contacted Sheriff Hammond requesting
an investigation into the circumstances behind the pursuit on January 2, 2021

1/12/2021 Received in-car video from Officer Desmonds patrol car

1/12/2021 Police Officer Desmond interviewed at Collegedale City Hall

1/12/2021 Police Officer Parker interviewed at Collegedale City Hall

1/14/2021 HCSO IA requested and received Incident Detail Report from Hamilton
County Dispatch on the date in question

1/20/2021 Chief Hickman interviewed at the Collegedale City Hall

Case Investigation: 21TR-0007 (IA)

On January 12, 2021 the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs was
tasked by Sheriff Hammond, at the request of Collegedale City Manager Teddy
Rogers to conduct an investigation into an incident involving Police Chief Brian
Hickman.

The allegation was Chief Hickman was involved in a pursuit on January 2, 2021 in
his personal vehicle which became damaged immobilizing the vehicle.
The in-car video which was obtained from Collegedale Police Assistant Chief Sapp
depicted an attempted traffic stop by on-duty Collegedale Police Officer Desmond
in the city limits of Collegedale in his marked patrol vehicle.

Officer Desmond called the traffic stop into Hamilton County Dispatch via his
radio. He then activated his emergency equipment and the Ford SUV pulling a
utility trailer began evading the officer at a high rate of speed. Due to the offense
(registration violation) and other factors, Officer Desmond terminated the pursuit
per Collegedale pursuit policy Chapter 7 Pursuit Driving.

The next video obtained from Collegedale Police starts on the on the ramp to
APD40 in Bradley County from Officer Desmond patrol vehicle.

Officer Desmond turns left onto APD40 crossing over I-75 and encountered the
suspect vehicle along with Chief Hickman’s personal vehicle, and a Bradley
County Sheriff’s Office vehicle with several other uninvolved bystander vehicles.

Officer Desmond then actives his emergency equipment in an effort to stop the
suspect; the Bradley County patrol vehicle which was in front of Officer Desmond
activated his lights when Desmond approached behind him. The BCSO vehicle
then moved to the side of the road to allow the Collegedale unit to proceed.
During this time a dark colored truck operated by Chief Hickman passed a semi-
truck in the turn lane as suspect vehicle was passing the same truck on the opposite
side.

Chief Hickman then sped up and got in front of the suspect. The suspect’s vehicle
then began overtaking the Chiefs vehicle in the oncoming traffic lane, a bystanders
vehicle started pulling out of a truck stop on the left which forced the suspect to
attempted to pull ahead of the chief and move over, at which time the trailer the
suspect was pulling struck the left front side of Chief Hickman’s vehicle, disabling
it by way of a flat tire.
Based on the video obtained from Collegedale Police it appeared Chief Hickman
made an effort to pull ahead of the suspect’s vehicle placing him, the occupants in
his vehicle and the occupants of the other uninvolved vehicles in danger from the
proven reckless operation of the suspect.

Tennessee Highway Patrol responded and completed a crash report exhibit J.

Officer Desmond continued the pursuit for a short time but due to the danger to the
public he discontinued per Collegedale Policy.

Chief Hickman was interviewed at the Collegedale City Hall on January 20, 2021
by Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Sgt. R. Lee.

Chief Hickman stated he was off duty with his wife and daughter when he
observed an SUV pulling a trailer at a high rate of speed in the area of Apison
Pike. He said he told his wife “that vehicle is running from someone”. He then
called Officer Desmond who stated he tried to stop the vehicle and it fled.

Chief Hickman then kept the vehicle in site as it traveled north on I-75 and told
Officer Desmond he and the suspect vehicle was on APD40 in Bradley County.
When Officer Desmond approached Chief Hickman’s truck and activated his
emergency equipment he (Chief Hickman) pulled ahead of the semi-truck in the
turn lane to keep the suspect in sight to relay where the vehicle was going.
Chief Hickman stated when he got around the semi-truck he found he was
inadvertently in front of the suspect’s vehicle. He then tried to pull to the side of
the road to allow the suspect to pass him. The suspect then swerved over hitting his
truck on the left front fender and tire, disabling his vehicle.

HCSO IA Sgt. Lee traveled the route in question and found the distance Chief
Hickman traveled in the pursuit to be approximately .2 miles or 1056 feet.

It should be noted Chief Hickman’s wife and minor daughter were in the vehicle
with him on the day in question. No injuries were noted in the crash report
completed by Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Conclusion: 21TR-0007 (IA)

Based on a thorough investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office

Internal Affairs, which included interviewing witnesses, reviewing in-car video,
reviewing Collegedale Police Policy and Procedure, and TCA 55-8-108
Emergency Vehicle Operation. The allegation of pursuing a vehicle in a non-city
owned vehicle is Sustained.

Policy reviewed: Collegedale Police Department Chapter 7 Pursuit Driving

T.C.A. 55-8-108 Authorized Emergency Vehicle: (c) (1) The exemptions granted
under subsection (b) to a driver of an authorized emergency vehicle shall only apply
when the vehicle is making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements
of the applicable laws of this state, except that while parked or standing, an authorized
emergency vehicle shall only be required to make use of visual signals meeting the
requirements of the applicable laws of this state.

Sustained: Disclosed sufficient evidence to prove the allegations made in the

complaint.
Exhibits: 21TR-0007 (IA)

A. Notice sent to Collegedale Police Chief Hickman

B. CAD Information obtained from Hamilton County Dispatch
C. Audio from Radio Traffic during the incident obtained from Hamilton County Dispatch
D. Audio from Internal Affairs Interview with Collegedale Police Officer Desmond
E. Audio from Internal Affairs Interview with Collegedale Police Officer Parker
F. Audio from Internal Affairs Interview with Collegedale Police Chief Hickman
G. Officer Desmond In-Car Video at the Start of the Pursuit
H. Officer Desmond In-Car Video in the area of Collegedale after discontinuing the Pursuit
I. Officer Desmond In-Car Video 2nd contact with the suspect vehicle in Bradley County
J. Tennessee Traffic Crash Report from the incident completed by THP Trooper Posey
K. Collegedale Police Department Chapter 7 Pursuit Driving Policy
Witness List: 21TR-0007 (IA)

Chief Brian Hickman

Collegedale Police Department
4910 Swinyar Drive
Collegedale, TN 37363
(423) 396-3135

Police Officer Parker

Collegedale Police Department
4910 Swinyar Drive
Collegedale, TN 37363
(423) 396-3135

Police Officer Desmond

Collegedale Police Department
4910 Swinyar Drive
Collegedale, TN 37363
(423) 396-3135