KNOXVILLE, Tenn (WVLT) -- The Knox County Sheriff's Office confirms it is investigating two Knoxville Police officers who recently resigned amid allegations of criminal wrongdoing.

One day after former officer Nicky Ray Bryant declined to say why he quit the Knoxville Police Force immediately --after more than seven years service -- neighbors tell Volunteer TV that he told them he's heading for Florida.

Bryant, and former officer Donald Scott Clark, face at least two internal investigations, a probe by Tennessee's Department of Children's Services, and a criminal investigation by the Knox County Sheriff's Office.

Spokesman Darrell Debusk has cited Tennessee right-to-privacy laws as reasons Knoxville Police cannot comment on their internal investigations. But the law cited seems to confirm Bryant and Clark face allegations that they sexually abused children.

Tennessee Code 37-1-612 keeps confidential "all records concerning reports of child sexual abuse...in order to protect the rights of the child and the child's parents, or other persons responsible for the child's welfare."

"He is a good neighbor, " says Union County's David Mashburn,
who says he's lived near Clark for the past five years.

Mashburn's wife credits Clark for ridding their neighborhood of a persistent problem: drug dealing.

"He would go around the neighborhood and it would just kind of go away," April Mashburn says.

"Having kids, you really think about (the allegations), she says.

"But with him, I really--don't know the man that well."

Clark's 6-year service record reveals that Knoxville Police considered him marginally adequate.

A 2005 evaluation rated him a 5 on a 9-point scale, citing a "more than average need for instruction."

In 2006, he drew notice and a reprimand for taking "more sick leave than any other squad member."

He drew a 1-day suspension last year for using his cruiser
improperly. The offense isn't elaborated.

Bryant's 7-year service record raises more questions.

A poor performance review in 2003 cost him his first scheduled pay raise.

Evaluators cited his "slow decision making, improper decisions...and
minimal ability to communicate with the public."

The evaluation period coincided with his separation and divorce;
his wife, Laura Ellen Bryant cited "irreconcilable differences" in her petition.

Records show Bryant also wrecked his police cruiser three times; twice within five months in 2004.

"He's never given me a reason not to trust him, or to think anything bad of him," David Mashburn says.

Wife April, is more blunt.

"If I don't have the facts, I don't really say."

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Knox County Sheriff's Office confirms that it is investigating two Knoxville Police officers who recently resigned amid allegations of criminal wrongdoing.

Sources tell Volunteer TV News that Nicky R. Bryant and Donald S. Clark are being investigated for an alleged robbery not connected to the other allegations against them that, according to sources, they had improper contact with children.

Sheriff's department spokesperson Martha Dooley would only confirm that the KCSO is involved in an investigation, but she denied they are investigating the two for a robbery.

Bryant and Clark submitted separate letters of resignation that are very similar. (You can read them HERE.)

Despite confirmation from multiple sources, Knoxville Police spokesman Darrell DeBusk has not confirmed that Bryant and Clark are involved in the joint investigation being conducted by KPD and the Department of Children's Services. Generally, KPD does not release suspects' names until charges have been formally filed against them.

DeBusk has repeatedly declined to release any further details of the investigation, citing legal restrictions keeping them from doing so. Specifically, DeBusk cited TCA 37-1-612, which deals with releasing information about cases of alleged Child Sexual Abuse.