TN Trooper Fired For Ripping Mask Off Man’s Face

The Tennessean reports:

A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper accused of ripping a face mask off a bystander filming a traffic stop has been terminated. A THP spokesman confirmed Trooper Harvey Briggs’ termination Friday evening after an internal investigation by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Briggs was found to have violated a department policy and was terminated for unprofessional conduct.

The firing comes after Briggs, a 22-year employee of the agency, was placed on leave after a video surfaced of an altercation with a bystander. A video posted by Andrew Golden shows him filming a traffic stop by troopers at the Capitol Monday evening. Briggs got inches away from Golden’s face while not wearing a mask, the video shows. While the camera wasn’t on Briggs, Golden said, Briggs ripped the mask from his face.