posted January 7, 2009
An off duty Chattanooga Police officer involved in an incident with a tow truck driver near the Deep Blue club in Brainerd said the incident started when the wrecker driver was driving aggressively and brushed him with the vehicle window.
Officer Phil McClain also said that he revealed his weapon after an owner of nearby property, Jeff Whitley, pulled his handgun "in a very aggressive manner."
The officer also claimed that Mr. Whitley told him, "Get off my property black boy."
No charges were filed in the incident, but police Internal Affairs are looking into it.
Mr. Whitley claimed that Officer McClain became enraged that his car was being towed and that he pulled a gun on the tow truck driver and reached inside the vehicle.
Here is the police report by Officer George Forbes on the incident last Saturday night:
Entered By: George Forbes, on 1/4/2009 12:49:28 PM >>
On 01/04/2009 at 01:44 hours, Officers George Forbes EMP # 60269 / EMP # responded to Miscellaneous at 3215 Brainerd Rd. Police spoke with w/m Mr. Jeffery Whitley who advised that he had been in a verbal disorder with a black male party over a wrecker driver. Mr. Whitley and his wife w/f Mrs. Beverly Whitley advised that they had observed Phillip McClain make an aggressive move toward a wrecker driver that was doing work on their property, and open the door to the cab of his truck and grab him. Mr. Whitley advised that he and his wife were parked on the back portion of their lot. Mr. Whitley further reported that when he approached Mr. McClain, that Mr. McClain had raised his shirt which revealed that he was carrying a firearm and that he himself had a firearm as well and then identified himself as a police officer.
Upon talking to Mr. McClain, he reported that as he and his girlfriend were walking onto the lot when the wrecker driver turned the corner in an aggressive manner at which time the extended mirror brushed him. Mr. McClain reported that he did approach the driver, flagging him down with his badge in hand to get his attention. Mr. McClain advised that as he was making contact with the driver, w/m James Bragg explaining that the mirror had brushed him. At that time Mr. Whitley and his wife were approaching him. Mr. McClain advised that he observed the gun that Mr. Whitley was holding and at that time he raised his shirt and informed Mr. Whitley that he was a police officer. Mr. McClain reported that during the confrontation Mr.Whitley was acting in a very aggressive manner and even went as far as to tell Mr. McClain "Get off my property black boy." At that time is when police were contacted.
Upon speaking to Daniel and Tiffany Springer, they advised that Mr.McClain approached that wrecked driver and appeared to be arguing with him. It was at that time that Mr. Whitley approached Mr. McClain to find out what was going on. They also advised that they were in the rear of the parking lot with both Mr. and Mrs. Whitley.
Upon speaking with all the parties involved, it was found that they did not see the initial incident at the entrance to the parking lot when the truck mirror brushed Mr. McClain. Upon speaking to the driver, he advised that he did not want to get involved and did not want to pursue the incident any further. At this time there is nothing further to report.
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