Tennessee Jailers Allowed Busted Police Chief To Pose For Mug Shot With Cigar In His Mouth

After arresting a local police chief for stalking and assault, Tennessee jailers allowed the man to pose for a booking photo with a cigar in his mouth and holding--not wearing--an orange inmate smock.

Richard Stitts, who heads the Maury City Police Department, was booked Friday at the Crockett County Sheriff's Office, where he posed for two mugs shots. Stitts, 66, was busted for allegedly attacking the mother of his child. He was subsequently released on $2500 and has been suspended from his police post, which he has held for about 18 years.

As seen above, Stitts was not treated like an ordinary defendant when processed by sheriff’s personnel. The mug shot has prompted an internal affairs investigation, according to Sheriff Troy Klyce.

“This behavior is not consistent with the professional culture we have created within the sheriff's department,” Klyce wrote in a Facebook posting. He added that once the investigation is complete, “disciplinary action will be taken.”

Stitts is scheduled for an October 23 appearance in General Sessions court, where cigars are prohibited.