A Tennessee police officer tasked with teaching drug prevention to children was fired after his own body camera recorded him engaging in inappropriate conduct with a teacher inside a classroom.
Brian Gilley, formerly with the Lebanon Police Department, was dismissed after bodycam footage revealed he shared an intimate moment with Shelby Moss, a teacher at Castle Heights Elementary School, while on duty and on school property. The incident took place in August 2024, just moments after a child exited the classroom. The child’s identity was obscured in the video, which was obtained by WZTV.
Gilley was stationed at the school as a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer. According to the Lebanon Police Department, a second incident involving Gilley and Moss allegedly occurred in September, after school hours. While there is no video of that event, the department confirmed it involved sexual activity on school grounds.
Gilley initially denied any wrongdoing during an internal investigation, claiming there was no physical contact while on duty. However, he eventually admitted to the relationship and submitted his resignation shortly thereafter.
During an April 2025 decertification hearing, Gilley expressed remorse. “I know I’ve done wrong, but I’ve also impacted that community in so many ways,” he said. “It was a mistake and it will never happen again.” He also said he was “very embarrassed” by his actions.
In May 2025, the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission voted to decertify Gilley, effectively banning him from serving in law enforcement anywhere in the state.
Lebanon Police Chief Mike Justice released a statement clarifying that, while Gilley’s behavior violated department policies, it was not criminal. “The conduct did NOT involve children, did NOT occur in the presence of children, and did NOT take place during classroom instruction,” Justice said. “However, we hold our officers to the highest standards, and Gilley’s actions fell far short of what the community expects and deserves.”
Shelby Moss, who was reportedly married at the time, received a two-day suspension following an internal review by the Lebanon Special School District. She later resigned in May 2025.
The school district said it was notified of the inappropriate relationship in December 2024 and responded quickly. “The District immediately conducted a thorough investigation and took appropriate disciplinary action in line with our policies and procedures,” a spokesperson told Fox Nashville. “We want to assure our families and community that we take all concerns seriously and act promptly to maintain a safe and respectful learning environment.”
