Dozens of people fight ongoing sexual misconduct allegations within Metro Nashville Police Department

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – A fight is underway over allegations of sexual misconduct within the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD).

A press conference was held Tuesday afternoon at Diane Nash Plaza by people who say there is an ongoing problem with sexual misconduct within the MNPD.

The social services agency that organized the conference said 92 current and former MNPD employees had reached out to them for help with allegations of ongoing sexual misconduct.

“We are here today, united for the safety of all Nashville residents,” speakers said at an afternoon conference.

A group of city leaders and activists have announced their fight against sexual misconduct.

“Since April 2020 and through the end of 2020, 69 MNPD employees have come to us to tell us that they have been victims of sexual harassment or assault,” said Greta McClain.

McClain is the director of a social service organization, Silent No Longer. McClain said 92 current and former Metro Nashville police employees have turned to her for help with allegations of sexual misconduct within the police department, and that number continues to grow.

“92, that’s seven more victims every year, willing to come to us, but we have no idea how many are still suffering in silence. What we do know is that 30 of them recently said that sexual harassment is still commonplace,” McClain said.

McClain said some employees told him they didn’t come forward sooner or at all because they were afraid police wouldn’t respond to calls for backup at the scene as a form of retaliation.

“I understand the pain that MNPD clients share because I too was a victim of sexual harassment while I was an MNPD officer. I did not report my 2017 rape because I was a detective in the adult sexual abuse unit and saw how things were handled,” McClain said.

Greta partnered with the Metro Community Review Board a few months ago to institute a zero-tolerance policy within the police department in August, but she said that hasn’t stopped allegations of misconduct.

“The fact that this policy has not been adopted is disturbing to me, and so tonight the women’s group has committed to bringing forward a resolution demanding that this policy be implemented,” said City Council Member Joy Styles.

We contacted the MNPD and they stated the following:

“To date, MNPD is not aware of ANY reports or complaints from Silent No Longer, against current MNPD employees that have not been investigated by MNPD or forwarded to the District Attorney-TBI (since 2020) or Metro Human Resources.”

But McClain said she stood by her claims.

“We cannot and will not ignore the systemic and pervasive problems that are building up within MNPD. We have heard Chief Drake say, ‘we have a policy in place,’ that’s great, but that policy is not working and if a patrol strategy is not working, you need to change the strategy,” McClain said.

As city council members and the organization continue to push for change, Metro Police also added: “MNPD has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment and discrimination. Such conduct is absolutely prohibited. We have designated several internal members within MNPD to review and make policy recommendations.”