The Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission voted to accept a settlement offer that resulted in dismissal of a pending decertification action against Joshua Clyde McNeil, a former Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper.

Ben Boston, an attorney representing McNeil, outlined a history that included an extra‑marital indiscretion alleged to have occurred in 2018 and investigated by the Highway Patrol in 2020, which led to McNeil’s termination in March 2021. Boston submitted character references and said McNeil has since been employed by municipal agencies, disclosed the Highway Patrol termination to subsequent employers, and received generally positive performance reports. The respondent also provided letters of support from local officials and law enforcement supervisors.

The administrative law judge had been assigned and the matter had proceeded through pre‑hearing steps; Boston said the respondent offered multiple proposed settlement terms in a multi‑option submission. After discussion, a commissioner moved to accept the first proposed option, which dismissed the decertification proceeding. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Prosecutors or a district attorney’s office had not filed charges in the matter, and commissioners who reviewed the informal packet said the absence of criminal charges and the letter from the local sheriff weighing in favor of the respondent influenced their deliberations.

Provenance (transcript excerpts)
- topicintro: block_id="3473.96" local_start=0 local_end=14 evidence_excerpt:"So an offer for Joshua Clyde McNeil, commission to consider a settlement offer regarding the certification request form, mister McNeil." reason_code="topicintro"
- topfinish: block_id="4030.9849" local_start=0 local_end=8 evidence_excerpt:"All in favor of the motion, say aye." reason_code="topicfinish"