City defends probe of police chief

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Despite criticism from the target of the investigation, Perryville's mayor said on Friday the city "absolutely" has confidence in the results of a probe into allegations of misconduct by the city's former police chief.

"We stand behind the investigation 100 percent," Mayor Debbie Gahan said.

After the release of documents Thursday, former police chief Keith Tarrillion ripped into the city's investigation, saying it "was based on nothing more than rumors presented by employees who had recently been called to task for their own unprofessional and unethical behavior."

Gahan said the investigator, retired Secret Service agent Paul Nenninger, had "impeccable" credentials, and the city has confidence in his investigative report and its findings -- even though the report's findings are unknown to the public.

The report wasn't among documents related to the investigation and its aftermath released Thursday. Circuit Judge Ben Lewis ruled the report was one document asked for in a Sunshine Law request from the Southeast Missourian that the city couldn't release, citing it as an investigative document that could be used in a criminal proceeding in the future.

Records released show an investigation into Tarrillion began last month after wide-ranging complaints surfaced from a subordinate that touched on sexual harassment, misappropriation of police department resources and other "unethical behavior." Those allegations only are mentioned in one document, never to resurface again.

Tarrillion shot back at the claims in a statement soon after the documents' release, and in an interview Thursday with the Southeast Missourian. Tarrillion said the investigation was conducted "with one outcome in mind" and Nenninger ignored exonerating evidence.

On Friday Gahan said much of Tarrillion's statement was inaccurate.

"You can say what you want to in a news release, but that doesn't make what you say a fact," Gahan said. "We heard the testimony and we stand behind the testimony."

Gahan said she doesn't want to comment on the validity of the items in the list of complaints that led to the investigation because of the judge's closing of Nenninger's investigative report.

The probe was prompted by a long list of complaints from a subordinate of Tarrillion. During the weeks between the start of the probe and the city's March 19 acceptance of Tarrillion's resignation, city attorney Thomas Ludwig spoke for the mayor and aldermen. A police report on property damage at Tarrillion's home, which the city claims was fraudulently created by Tarrillion, was the only allegation discussed by Ludwig during those weeks. Tarrillion maintains he did nothing wrong in the filing of the report. He received $5,700 from an insurance payout for the damage.

Thursday's document release showed the investigation was prompted by more serious charges from subordinates.

Gahan and Nenninger said they couldn't discuss the validity of those charges, citing the judge's seal on the investigative report.

Nenninger wondered how Tarrillion, whom Nenninger said hasn't seen the investigative report to his knowledge, could comment on its methods and findings.

Tarrillion said he couldn't say for sure what he has and hasn't seen, not knowing all the records that exist pertaining to the investigation. He said he had not seen some records released Thursday.

Tarrillion sticks by his statement sent out after the release of the document, "based on what I have seen so far."

Gahan said the board of aldermen will begin discussing in earnest how to fill the police chief position at its 6:30 p.m. Wednesday board meeting, which starts with a finance meeting at 6 p.m. The process could take several weeks, and Gahan said appointment of an interim chief is a possibility until an election can be held.

msanders@semissourian.com

388-3652

Pertinent address:

215 N. West St., Perryville, MO