UPDATE: THP terminates trooper charged for violating protective order

A Sullivan County judge has refused to consider bond options for a former Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper accused of violating a protective order twice in as many weeks.

Nicholas Collins will remain in jail awaiting a criminal hearing. Police said Collins went to the victim’s home and disabled their security system and damaged their tires.

Collins is also out of a job. The THP terminated him based on an internal investigation that began last month when he was suspended based on the restraining order against him.

The statement issued by the agency said:

“Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long and Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Matt Perry today announced that a trooper in the Tennessee Highway Patrol Fall Branch district has been terminated following an internal investigation.

The department placed Trooper Nicholas Collins on Discretionary Leave on February 17, 2022, after learning that an Ex-Parte Order of Protection was issued against him. Trooper Collins was served a termination notice on March 3, 2022.

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s policy is to warn, suspend, demote or dismiss any employee whenever just or legal cause exists. Employees shall not commit any act that would reflect discredit upon themselves or the department while on or off duty.”

(MUGSHOT: Bristol Broadcasting Co News Archive)