Fired Matthews police officer alleges toxic workplace 

SCOTT RODGERSON | UNSPLASH

Former Matthews Police officer Tyler Ross alleges he was exposed to a toxic work environment and inappropriate conduct over two years with the department. He was fired in January.

A former Matthews Police officer is coming forward with allegations of racial harassment, discrimination and retaliation that is hindering his career advancement. 

Tyler Ross, who lives in Union County, says inappropriate conduct he observed began almost immediately after he joined the department in 2022. He was fired in January.

“From the very start, I was treated differently than my white counterparts,” Ross said. “I was excluded from training, denied mentorship, and isolated from my peers.”  

A native of Westchester County, New York, Ross moved to Union County in 2022 and entered the Basic Law Enforcement Training program at South Piedmont Community College.

“I’ve always had an affinity for law enforcement, even as a child,” Ross said. “To prepare myself for this career path, I worked as an armed security guard and in various other security roles to build relevant experience and discipline.”

Shortly thereafter Ross was conditionally hired by Matthews’ then-Chief Clark Pennington. His final employment offer was incumbent on completion of BLET, which he did, followed by field training. 
According to Ross, trouble started right away. 

On his first day, his white training officer barked, “Your Black ass deserves a military beatdown!” in response to what was meant as a joke. 

Ross also alleges another field training officer later played music containing racial slurs in front of him and remarking, “This is how y’all do it in New York.” 

“The FTO allegedly failed to conduct proper training,” Ross said. “Instead, [he] attended personal events and ignored basic patrol duties.” 

Ross produced video of lax supervision, including sitting in the patrol car and the training officer dancing on duty instead of training him. 

“Later, I endured racial and derogatory comments, and when I brought this up, a sergeant told me, ‘If we didn’t like you, we wouldn’t do this,’ as if harassment was a form of acceptance.” 
In another instance, Ross contends he was struck in the head by a police sergeant during a suspicious person call. 

“I experienced subpar and inconsistent training, often being excluded while newer officers received opportunities I was denied,” he said. “This made me feel as though I was being set up for failure.” 
Ross says the discrimination and mistreatment snowballed when he voiced concerns to superior officers, culminating in his firing. 

During an October 2024 response to reports of a melee at Bowlero Bowling Alley, Ross, who was the first officer to respond, claims he drew his pepper spray as a precaution. Although it wasn’t deployed, Ross was disciplined for actions the department deemed “unsafe.”

Meanwhile, Ross alleges that nearby on-duty officers were congregated at a gas station, something they had been admonished for. As a result, they arrived at least 10 minutes later. 
“I was punished for doing my job, while others, who failed to follow basic orders were protected,” he said. “That’s how Matthews operates.” 

Ross was subsequently placed on administrative leave and eventually terminated. 

“I cannot name only one individual,” Ross said about his mistreatment, adding several officers contributed by “creating a hostile work environment” and undermining his “credibility through manipulation and false narratives.” 

Ross contends that even after his termination, the harassment continues. 

Ross now works at Allied Special Police but contends the opportunity for advancement and higher pay have been delayed due to Matthews police delaying release of his background check to prospective employers. 

“I’ve applied to 14 different departments and been denied every time,” he said. “Matthews has blacklisted me because I spoke out. The department operates in a culture that feels outdated and racially biased, where leadership dynamics resemble a hierarchy of control and favoritism. “I want a thorough investigation into how the Matthews Police Department handles discipline, training opportunities, transfers, and exit documentation.” 

Ross contends his experience is only one manifestation of a toxic workplace plagued with internal problems. His claims stem primarily from a 2022 independent investigation into the department initiated by Becky Hawke, who was Matthews town manager at the time. 

One finding was that from 2018 to 2022, the department deliberately inflated crime statistics to present a more positive image. 

Pennigton, who hired Ross, resigned abruptly before the investigation report was made public. The reason given was that he was leaving law enforcement to pursue another career. 

After the sham crime statistics were brought to light, Hawke issued a statement attributing the fudged figures to “command directives that created pervasive pressure for improved statistics.” 

And while the town claimed that individuals responsible for the “directives” were “held appropriately accountable” and “no longer with the department” the statement stopped short of naming Pennington outright. 

That same investigation resulted in the termination of MPD Sgt. Joshua Burnett after it was determined that he used excessive force and then lied about the incident under questioning. 
Those charges stemmed from a January 2021 incident in which Burnett was captured on video screaming at and choking a black male suspect who was handcuffed and strapped to a gurney. 

Although the town did demote and eventually terminate Burnett, the matter was kept largely under wraps along with bodycam footage of the incident. When video of the incident from an anonymous source surfaced in 2024, Hawke responded that there was no effort to conceal the matter, but that town officials felt it was a "personnel matter” that did not merit public disclosure. 

Ross claims that these issues point clearly to the atmosphere of toxicity, misconduct and secrecy which even almost a year after leaving, he can’t seem to outrun. 

When contacted for comment on Ross’ claims, current Matthews Town Manager Curt Walton said the allegations have been “fully investigated in a manner consistent with town policy.” 

“While personnel laws preclude us from commenting further at this time as to those specific allegations, the community can be assured that the Matthews PD strives every day to live by our stated values,” Walton said, which include protecting the community and treating all with fairness and respect. 

Ross disagrees, calling the level of injustice he faced “devastating.”

“It’s disheartening to know that individuals who engaged in misconduct remain employed while I was punished for doing the right thing,” he said. “Emotionally, it has taken a toll, but my faith continues to sustain me.” 
In addition to a review of MPD policies and procedures, Ross contends employment regulations need adjusting as well. 

“I also believe that [the employment exiting] process should include a way for officers to rebut false or misleading statements,” he said.  “There needs to be stronger state oversight to prevent blacklisting and retaliation against officers who refuse to conform to unethical practices.” 

Despite his experience, Ross, who has retained legal counsel with Spielburger Law Group, contends he still wants to work in law enforcement. 

“Even though this department tried to damage my reputation and career, I still believe in justice and fairness,” he said. “Everyone deserves a fair and independent chance.”
Ross maintains his goal in speaking out does not lie solely in self-interest. 

“My goal is that my story brings awareness to how officers who stand for integrity are often treated,” he said, “and that it sparks meaningful reform.” 

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