Former Chattanooga police Officer Ralph Kenneth Freeman had every opportunity to improve his conduct but eventually ran out of chances and was fired, police Chief Freeman Cooper said Wednesday.

Mr. Freeman was terminated Wednesday after internal affairs investigations revealed that he consumed alcohol while armed, possessed an unauthorized off-duty firearm, billed a company for hours he did not work, lied to investigators and worked an extra security job while on leave from the department.

"In this case, we've just gone to extremes of trying to positively reinforce or retrain or correct some of the mistakes of Officer Freeman, but we've gotten to a point where that couldn't continue," Chief Cooper said.

Mr. Freeman served a 28-day suspension earlier this year after an internal affairs investigation revealed that he exhibited conduct unbecoming an officer, improper procedure and excessive use of force in connection with assaulting a Wal-Mart greeter in December 2008.

Mr. Freeman can appeal the chief's decision to the Chattanooga City Council.

A cell phone number previously assigned to Mr. Freeman had been disconnected Wednesday morning. His attorney in a civil lawsuit, Scott Johnson, declined to comment through the secretary in his law office.

On July 18, Mr. Freeman's girlfriend called 911, alleging that Mr. Freeman made verbal threats to kill her after the pair had an argument and had been drinking. His girlfriend told investigators he had a weapon but that he never pointed it at her or threatened her with it, according to the internal affairs report.

While the domestic assault allegation eventually was determined to be unfounded, the investigation revealed Mr. Freeman had possessed a firearm while drinking alcohol, a violation of department policy and Tennessee law.

Mr. Freeman later told internal affairs investigators that he had a gun permit card and personally owned the weapon in question. But a department training log showed that all weapons with which Mr. Freeman qualified were issued by the department and were not personally owned by Mr. Freeman, who therefore was not authorized to carry a personal weapon.

During the course of the domestic assault investigation, Mr. Freeman was relieved of duty July 18 and told he could not work any job related to his law enforcement position, as per department policy.

A supervisory sergeant patrolling the area of Chattanooga Boiler and Tank on July 25 noticed Mr. Freeman's vehicle parked at the business, according to the report. The sergeant said he thought Mr. Freeman drove away when he noticed the sergeant's vehicle and returned to the business shortly thereafter, the report stated.

The sergeant then notified his superiors about the incident.

The subsequent internal affairs investigation revealed that Mr. Freeman had billed Chattanooga Boiler and Tank for four hours of work on July 18, including at least two hours during which he was working for the Chattanooga Police Department before he was notified of his leave.

"This action for billing the business for hours he clearly did not work is unlawful," internal affairs Capt. Mike Mathis wrote in his recommendation that the allegation be sustained.

When asked about his vehicle being near the company on July 25, Mr. Freeman said he was waiting for another officer to work for him, left when the officer did not show up and did not return. Video surveillance from the company showed Mr. Freeman was at the business for about 48 minutes and did return shortly after he drove away.

PDF: Freeman investigation reports DEPARTMENT POLICY An officer shall not carry a firearm while consuming alcohol, or during an eight-hour period after consuming alcohol, or at any time the officer is affected by the consumption of alcohol. Source: Chattanooga Police Department

"I think untruthfulness played a big part in my making the decision to terminate him," Chief Cooper said.

The chief said he considers a variety of factors before deciding to terminate officers, including the ability to rehabilitate and whether they admit their mistakes. He could not immediately recall the number of officers he had fired for violations of policy and procedures.

"It's not something that we just want to take lightly," the chief said. "If we can retrain or correct mistakes, we don't want mistakes to be career-enders."