In The News

TN trooper fired after failing CDL drug test

How many times a day does a trucker think, “I wish this state trooper was required to pee in a cup?”

As it turns out, many troopers are required to take drug tests – and they don’t always pass.

The Tennessee Department of Safety has fired a trooper who worked as a team leader on one of the agency’s drug interdiction squads after he failed a recent CDL drug test.

TDS Col. Mike Walker recommended to Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell that Trooper Mark Williams be terminated after Williams tested positive for amphetamine and failed to provide a valid medical reason for testing positive.

A statement from the Tennessee Department of Safety said Trooper Williams, 41, was recommended for dismissal after he allegedly violated five human resources or safety policies.

“General Order 220 II Policy provides that commissioned members of the department, because of the tremendous responsibility placed on them, shall be drug free,” the statement reads.

“Trooper Williams was assigned to the Interdiction Unit, which actively seeks out drug offenders,” Walker said, according to the Commercial Appeal newspaper. His usefulness as a witness in such cases has been compromised by his poor judgment in using amphetamines.”

Williams was initially placed on administrative leave with pay on March 18 after the state began investigating him. On April 8, Williams was reassigned to a driver license service center in a non-law enforcement capacity and was not allowed to carry his duty weapon or drive a state vehicle.

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