LACIE SILVA
Editor
Multiple concerns surrounding the Whitwell Police Department were addressed at a recent board meeting, accusing the department of violating First Amendment rights, improperly using city resources, and blocking public comments on social media.
Andrea Terry voiced several grievances regarding the police department, including allegations that an officer drove a city patrol car home, violating citizens’ First Amendment rights, and hiring questionable personnel. Terry alleged that this was not the first time the department had conducted themselves inappropriately, explaining to the board that the police department administrator had taken down the department’s Facebook page, which she argued violated First Amendment rights. She further claimed that the department had censored people and disabled comments, which she reiterated was also a violation of those rights.
Chief Boyd explained that the department’s Facebook page was shut down by the platform, not by the department. Terry responded by stating that she is an administrator of the new Marion County, Tennessee Facebook page, which attracts significant traffic, and that she has never encountered any issues. She explained that if someone searches for the Whitwell Police Department, multiple old pages appear, as it is illegal for them to delete those pages. Terry added that she has never had a page taken down due to comments being made. She also informed the board that she had taken screenshots, which she provided to her attorney, proving she was blocked from commenting on the police department’s page.
Terry further disclosed her ongoing legal case against the police department after being arrested for filing a complaint against an officer. Boyd refuted her allegations, stating that the body camera footage contradicted her claims. It was clarified that following the investigation into her complaint, Terry was subsequently arrested for filing a false report. Terry stated she would not discuss the matter further due to the upcoming court hearing in November.
