KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A Knoxville police officer has resigned after being accused of shoplifting while on duty in June, a department spokesperson said Friday.

Officer Tyler Wheeler was cited for misdemeanor theft after he reportedly went behind the counter of a store and stole multiple pouches of kratom. KPD spokesperson Scott Erland said Wheeler resigned Friday ahead of a pre-disciplinary hearing.

Wheeler's police powers were suspended following an internal investigation.

"We demand accountability at all levels of our organization and expect our officers to hold themselves to a higher standard," said Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel in June. "Officer Wheeler’s actions fell woefully short of those expectations and will not be tolerated."

Kratom is “an herbal substance collected fro

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