An informal post-certification subcommittee voted to decertify several law-enforcement officers, continued one matter for records and reset another pending a voluntary suspension, during a public hearing recorded in the meeting transcript.

The panel approved decertification requests for a sheriff’s investigator, a Jackson County deputy, and two state troopers after unanimous voice votes on motions brought before the subcommittee. The panel reset a separate termination appeal to a future informal hearing to give the department time to provide records and deferred a Salina Police Department case after defense counsel and the chief asked for time to coordinate with prosecutors.

Why it matters: decertification removes an officer’s state-post commission and affects employability in local and state agencies that require that credential. Commissioners repeatedly cited credibility, use-of-force and safety violations, and a pattern of conduct as the basis for administrative decertification actions.

Key outcomes

- Decertified: Terry Wortman (Weekly County; submitted after resignation in lieu of termination). The department cited discrepancies in testimony about military service and the district attorney’s follow-up. Attorney Chad Cox said Wortman had “fully cooperated” and argued an incorrect statement in a preliminary hearing was a misstatement, not perjury. The subcommittee approved decertification by voice vote. The investigator will provide next steps.

- Continued / Reset: Michael Lee (request by counsel Adam Izzo). Counsel asked to continue the matter to the subcommittee’s next informal hearing to allow preparation and to obtain the officer’s internal affairs file; commissioners reset the hearing to the next informal date.

- Deferred pending voluntary suspension: Johnny Cyrus (Salina Police Department). Salina’s chief, Terry Wayne Scott, described a citizen complaint supported by body-camera footage alleging use of pepper spray, a punch and a stun at a mechanic shop after a stop for a motorcycle license. Counsel Jack Byrd requested a continuance while the district attorney’s office reviews the matter and sought video via public-record request; the committee reset the matter to the next informal hearing contingent on the officer signing a voluntary suspension agreement while the case is pending.

- Decertified: Jeremiah Johnson (Jackson County). Jackson County presented that Johnson discharged his duty firearm on county property and initially provided an inaccurate account to responding officers; the agency also raised concern about honesty. Johnson described ongoing mental-health treatment and asked the panel to suspend rather than revoke his commission while he seeks care; commissioners discussed the mental-health context but voted to approve decertification by voice vote.

- Decertified: Justin Murphy (Tennessee Department of Safety). Department staff summarized a series of training and performance deficiencies while Murphy was in field-training: failure to meet equipment-check requirements, unsafe firearm handling at a range, turn‑off of in‑vehicle recording, parking in a handicap space, missed reporting and a loaded rifle observed at headquarters. Murphy acknowledged mistakes in his testimony to the panel; commissioners voted to approve decertification by voice vote.

- Decertified: Matthew Spencer (Tennessee Department of Safety). The department presented multiple incidents while Spencer was on probation as a trooper, including a pursuit where supervisors concluded he had not followed policy, an administrative complaint alleging an inappropriate relationship and messages, and a use-of-force incident for which supervisors later found no probable cause for the initiating stop. After discussion of training history and the department’s review, commissioners voted to approve decertification by voice vote.

- Default decertifications approved: The subcommittee moved for default decertification for three absent nominees—Connor Bracken, Joshua Hawkins and Timothy Powers—and the motion carried.

What commissioners said

Commissioner Green asked directly about credibility in multiple cases, for example asking an officer, “Have you been dishonest about your military service?” in the Wortman matter. That question and other credibility concerns factored into commissioners’ decisions.

Attorney and agency comments

Chad Cox, attorney for Terry Wortman, told the subcommittee he represented Wortman and said, “I represent Terry Wortman in this matter.” He argued that an incorrect statement in court was a misstatement and not an intentional act to deceive.

Jackson County’s representative told the panel the county sought decertification after its review of a firearm discharge and a subsequent inaccurate initial statement to first responders; the county emphasized public-safety concerns.

Next steps and procedural notes

Investigators and staff will provide information to affected officers about post-decision procedures. Where the committee approved continuances or conditional resets it asked departments to supply records before the next informal hearing. For the Cyrus matter, the committee conditioned the reset on the officer signing a voluntary suspension while the department and any prosecuting authority continue review.

The committee concluded with a roll call on absent nominees and then adjourned its informal session.