Although he was never a "career" police officer, he had previously served as a reserve officer with the Tellico Plains Police Dept., under the disgraced chief of police Bill Isbell-- Charest and Isbell were 'booted' from any association with the TPPD--Former Mayor Roger Powers felt a lack of trust amid those in charge, and was forced to 'clean house'--this later involved an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
Charest was again able to 'don' (no pun intended), a reserve officer badge 4 years after the Isbell era ended; when he was able to 'worm his way' into the good graces of the newly appointed Sheriff, Tommy "Whitey" Jones.
