Recently released emails detail a disagreement between Metro Police, the District Attorney and the TBI regarding the handling of the investigation into the shooting death of Jocques Clemmons and whether that investigation is being done "independently."
Clemmons was killed in a shooting involving Metro Nashville Police Officer Josh Lippert.
For six days following the shooting Metro Police conducted their own investigation, similar to what they have done for years. But after outcry from the community - the District Attorney General asked the TBI to step in.
In an email dated February, 22 of this year, TBI Deputy Director Jason Locke told District Attorney Glenn Funk he was concerned about the independent nature of the investigation.
"It will be impossible for TBI to conduct an independent investigation while another agency simultaneously conducts the same investigation," he wrote.
Adding "the investigation would become a "joint" investigation, rather than an "independent" investigation.
"This investigation or any other investigation can remain independent, they can be parallel but independent," Metro Chief Steve Anderson said on Friday.
"I'm just not willing to turn a blind eye and look the other way while we have something of the magnitude of a police involved shooting," he added.
The Chief maintains that he can not wait weeks or months to address personnel or protocol issues as would be the case if he had to wait for the TBI to finish their reports.
District Attorney Glenn Funk seems to disagree, writing in another email, "it seems that protocol issues remain on officer involved deaths."
On Friday Chief Anderson said he is confident a resolution will be reached moving forward.
