A former Metro Nashville police officer is off the force after the department says he engaged in sexual activity while on duty inside a Nashville middle school, a claim that has triggered an internal review and fresh questions about how Metro handles sexual-misconduct cases. The allegation, reported Tuesday, lands just as the department is trying to convince the public that its recently toughened rules on harassment and abuse actually mean something.
What the department says
According to WKRN, Metro Nashville Police say the former officer engaged in inappropriate sexual activity while on duty in a middle school and has since been removed from service. The outlet reports that the officer admitted to “serious departmental violations,” including “conduct unbecoming an officer,” while the department has declined to release additional details about which school was involved or whether a criminal investigation is underway.
Policy backdrop: MNPD's 'zero tolerance' change
The accusation comes on the heels of a major policy shift inside MNPD. In March 2025, the department rewrote its harassment and sexual-misconduct policy to explicitly label sexual harassment and sexual misconduct as “zero tolerance,” a change that did not happen overnight. WPLN reported that the overhaul followed years of complaints and a sustained campaign by former officers and local advocates, including the group Silent No Longer.
What’s next
For now, the case sits inside Metro’s own walls. Internal affairs and personnel units are expected to handle the administrative side of the investigation as the department reviews what happened and what penalties are on the table. As WKRN notes, officials have not publicly identified the school and have not said whether the former officer could face criminal charges.
Advocates and parents want answers
Advocates who pushed for the recent MNPD policy overhaul say this is exactly the kind of case that will test whether “zero tolerance” is more than a slogan. They argue that investigations should be as transparent as possible and, when appropriate, opened up to outside review if the department hopes to rebuild trust with families and the wider community. WPLN has reported that the 2025 reforms were driven by years of pressure from both current and former Metro Nashville police employees.
