Local civil rights groups have called for the officers to be fired immediately. Department sources indicated officers have been cited for termination, but the department cannot dismiss them directly, according to retired CMPD Major Norman Garnes, who served on the Civil Service Board for a term and a half beginning in 2012.

“The Police Department doesn’t have the power to fire; they can only recommend that to the civil service board,” Garnes said.

CMPD Chief Estella Patterson said the department does not tolerate conduct that conflicts with its core values.

Officers who have completed probation may challenge disciplinary action before the independent board. If an officer contests a termination recommendation, the board holds formal proceedings resembling a trial, with the department presenting its case and both sides able to call witnesses.

Garnes said board members can spend several days hearing evidence. He described cases lasting two or three days as members reviewed testimony and other material.

It is not known whether any of the six officers plan to challenge a potential termination. The investigation concerns their alleged participation in the group chat; details about the messages were not provided in the available information.

Garnes said police officers come from the broader culture and must be told what conduct is expected of them. The board process means the outcome will depend not only on department leadership’s recommendations, but also on the evidence presented and the officers’ decisions about whether to appeal.