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Erwin Today
By the People, for the People
Former Erwin Police Officers Indicted for Training Documents Fraud
Three ex-employees face charges including conspiracy and theft over falsified training records.
Mar. 10, 2026 at 8:49pm
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Three former Erwin Police Department employees - former Police Chief Regan Tilson, former Capt. Gary Wayne Edwards, and former Operations Officer Tiffany D. Tilson - have been indicted on charges including conspiracy, official misconduct, theft over $10,000, and tampering with government records. The charges stem from an investigation into allegations that the trio submitted fraudulent training documents to the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Commission in December 2024, resulting in over $12,000 in unearned salary supplements for all Erwin police officers.
Why it matters
This case highlights the importance of integrity and accountability within law enforcement agencies. The alleged actions of these former officers undermine public trust and raise concerns about the proper use of taxpayer funds. It also calls into question the oversight and auditing processes around police training and compensation.
The details
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tilson, Edwards, and Tiffany Tilson conspired to submit fraudulent timesheets to the POST Commission, indicating that Erwin police officers had attended an in-service training that never actually occurred. This allowed the officers to receive more than $12,000 in salary supplements to which they were not entitled.
- In September, an investigation was launched into misconduct allegations involving the former Erwin police employees.
- On March 10, 2026, the Unicoi County Grand Jury returned indictments against the three former officers.
The players
Regan Tilson
Former Erwin Police Chief, indicted on charges including conspiracy, official misconduct, theft, and tampering with government records.
Gary Wayne Edwards
Former Erwin Police Capt., indicted on charges including conspiracy, official misconduct, theft, and tampering with government records.
Tiffany D. Tilson
Former Erwin Police Operations Officer, indicted on charges including conspiracy, official misconduct, theft, and tampering with government records.
What they’re saying
“At the request of 1st Judicial District Attorney General Steve Finney, TBI special agents began investigating misconduct allegations involving former Erwin Police Chief Regan Tilson, former EPD Capt. Gary Wayne Edwards and former EPD Operations Officer Tiffany D. Tilson.”
— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
What’s next
The three former officers will face trial on the charges brought by the Unicoi County Grand Jury.
The takeaway
This case underscores the need for robust oversight and accountability measures within police departments to prevent abuse of power and misuse of public funds. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of compromising the integrity of law enforcement.
