Lawsuit claim: Aurora Police Chief held knife to female officer's throat, said he could rape her

A former Aurora police officer claims he was fired after he witnessed Police Chief Wes Coatney (pictured) holding a knife to the throat of a female officer and telling her he could rape her and there was nothing she could do about it.

In a lawsuit filed today in Lawrence County Circuit Court, Tatum Maples said he filed a complaint against Coatney and that led to his firing, which Maples said violated his rights as a whistleblower.

From the petition:

Until his employment was terminated on April 10, 2025, Mr. Maples was employed by the City as a Police Officer and a Police Corporal of and for the City of Aurora Police Department.

On September 12, 2024, Mr. Maples was involved in a vehicle pursuit of a dangerous wanted fugitive (S.C.).

The following day, family members of wanted fugitive S.C. complained to Aurora Police Department supervisors that officers involved in the pursuit may have inappropriately damaged the vehicle.

Aurora Police Department Lieutenant Bruner investigated the complaint. As part of the investigation, Lt. Bruner interviewed Mr. Maples and another involved officer. As part of the investigation, Lt. Bruner examined the vehicle used by the wanted fugitive. Lt. Bruner reported his investigative findings to Chief Coatney.

Chief Coatney did not impose any corrective action or discipline against Mr. Maples.

21. On December 20, 2024, Mr. Maples was involved in the custodial arrest of a criminal suspect (R.K.).

Mr. Maples’ actions during the arrest were lawful and appropriate and in compliance with all applicable laws, City of Aurora policies, and Aurora Police Department policies.

Mr. Maples accurately documented his actions during the arrest in a written report. Mr. Maples’ report was reviewed and approved by Aurora Police Department supervisors.

Initially, no administrative investigation was initiated against Mr. Maples related to the December 20, 2024 arrest of R.K. No disciplinary action was taken against Mr. Maples related to the December 20, 2024 arrest of R.K.

Following a competitive selection process, Mr. Maples was promoted from Police Officer to Police Corporal on January 15, 2025.

On an unknown exact date in mid-March of 2025, Mr. Maples saw Chief Coatney assault a female subordinate employee. Mr. Maples saw Chief Coatney gathered with other police department employees in the conference room at the police department.

Mr. Maples saw Chief Coatney, holding a pocket knife, standing behind the female subordinate employee.

Mr. Maples saw Chief Coatney place the knife to the throat of the female subordinate employee and tell the employee that he (Chief Coatney) could rape her and there was nothing she could do about it.

Chief Coatney saw Mr. Maples and Chief Coatney knew that Mr. Maples had witnessed the assault.

Shortly after the assault, Mr. Maples told an Aurora Police Department supervisor what he (Mr. Maples) had witnessed.

Mr. Maples also told an Aurora Police Department supervisor that he (Mr. Maples) intended to file a formal complaint against Chief Coatney regarding the assault.

Chief Coatney believed that Mr. Maples intended to, and was about to, report his (Chief Coatney’s) actions.

On March 26, 2025, Chief Coatney directed that an administrative investigation be initiated into Mr. Maples’ actions during the December 20, 2024 arrest of criminal suspect R.K.

On April 1, 2025, Chief Coatney directed that an administrative investigation be initiated into Mr. Maples’ actions during the September 12, 2024 motor vehicle pursuit of wanted fugitive S.C.

On April 3, 2025, Mr. Maples wrote an email to the Aurora City Clerk (who oversees the City’s human resources functions), and to the Aurora City Manager, reporting the assault by Chief Coatney against the female employee.

On April 8, 2025, Mr. Maples was notified that the investigation into his actions during the September 12, 2024 motor vehicle pursuit of wanted fugitive S.C. had been closed as unsubstantiated.

On June 20, 2025, an administrative hearing was held related to the termination of Mr. Maples’ employment. City Manager Carrie Howlett testified at the June 20, 2025 hearing.

City Manager Carrie Howlett testified that it was her decision to terminate Mr. Maples’ employment.
City Manager Carrie Howlett testified that she did not conduct any investigation into Mr. Maples’ actions during the September 12, 2024 motor vehicle pursuit of wanted fugitive S.C.

City Manager Carrie Howlett testified that she was not aware of any additional investigation being conducted after April 8, 2025 into Mr. Maples’ actions during the September 12, 2024 motor vehicle pursuit of wanted fugitive S.C.

City Manager Carrie Howlett testified that she made her decision to terminate Mr. Maples’ employment after she received the complaint Mr. Maples submitted about Chief Coatney--but that her decision was “completely unrelated” to Mr. Maples’ complaint.

On April 10, 2025, the City terminated Mr. Maples’ employment.

Maples, who is represented by Don Weaver of Weaver Associates Law, Columbia, is asking to be reinstated and to receive back pay and benefits and to cover his costs.