Tyler Whetstone

twhetstone@jacksonsun.com

The Crockett County Sheriff's Department is conducting an internal investigation into a booking photo of Maury City Police Chief Richard Stitts in which Stitts has a cigar in his mouth.

Stitts, 66, was arrested last week and charged with assault, harassment and stalking of the mother of his child, according to jail records.

In a booking photo taken Friday night, Stitts is holding up an inmate's uniform shirt instead of wearing it and is smiling with a cigar in his mouth.

"Some of you have seen the results of bad judgment by a couple of my correctional officers," Sheriff Troy Klyce wrote on the sheriff's department Facebook page. "I make no excuses. I can tell you I was not in town at the time and I do not approve of this in the least. A proper booking photo has been taken and I will fully investigate the actions of my staff members.

"Rest assured, once our internal affairs investigation is complete — disciplinary action will be taken," Klyce wrote. "This behavior is not consistent with the professional culture we have created within the Sheriff's Department. Thank you for your understanding and support."

Stitts, who is employed by the Maury City Police Department, has been suspended without pay by Maury City Mayor Rayce Castellaw.

Stitts could not be reached for comment. He has been released on $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 23.

Reach Tyler Whetstone at (731) 425-9629. Follow him on Twitter @tyler_whetstone