5 officers fired, 3 others suspended following sex scandal at police department in Tennessee

Officials in a Tennessee city have fired five officers and suspended three others following a sex scandal at the police department.

Jason Cole, the mayor of La Vergne, near Nashville, began investigating the department in December after getting an anonymous complaint, according to an investigative report that WSMV-TV obtained through a records request. The investigation found that some officers who worked second shift were engaging in unreported sexual relationships, having sex on duty and on city-owned property, and committing sexual harassment by sending explicit photos and videos.

"This is a difficult situation for our department and for the city, but I want to be clear that the actions of a few do not represent this department as a whole," Police Chief Burrel "Chip" Davis said Monday in a statement.

Cole called the matter "unacceptable" and said the city investigated it without delay.

"Our top priority moving forward will include rebuilding the public's trust," the mayor said in a statement.

The 60-person department now has 11 vacancies, but Davis said there's enough staff to cover patrol shifts and to protect the community.

Kara Hobbs, a newly-elected alderman in La Vergne, told CBS affiliate WTVF that she's "shocked and overall disappointed with our police department and what's happened."

Hobbs told the station she's been flooded with constituent calls about the scandal.

"It's been really frustrating from a leadership standpoint to have citizen questions, and I'm learning the details right along with the general public," she said.

The Rutherford County district attorney told WTVF there is no evidence of criminal activity, but he is monitoring the case.

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• Police Officers
• Tennessee