Chattanooga Police Department Explained

Agencyname:Chattanooga Police Department
Formedyear:1852
Legaljuris:City of Chattanooga
Headquarters:3410 Amnicola Highway
Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37406
Stationtype:Station
Chief1name:Celeste Murphy[1]
Chief1position:Chief of Police
Sworn:c. 500
Officetype:Division

The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) is the primary law enforcement organization serving Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the United States. The department is headed by a chief of police, with one deputy chief and three assistant chiefs commanding the major bureaus of the department: the Uniformed Services Bureau, the Investigative Services Bureau, and the Administration and Support Services Bureau.

History and racial relations

The police department dates from 1852 and has evolved over the decades. The CPD made Chattanooga one of the first major Southern cities to have black police officers starting in 1883. However, the police officers were subsequently removed from the force and reintroduced on a permanent basis on August 11, 1948. The seven officers, including Officers Thaddeus Arnold, Singer Askins, W.B. Baulridge, C.E. Black, Morris Glenn, Arthur Heard, and Thomas Patterson, were initially restricted to walking beats in black neighborhoods. In 1960, black police officers were authorized to patrol all neighborhoods and arrest white citizens.[2] [3] [4] Therefore, the Chattanooga Police Department integrated decades earlier than most other Southern police departments.

In the 169 year history of the Chattanooga Police, 24 officers and 1 K9 have died serving the citizens of Chattanooga. [5]

Uniformed services

The Uniformed Services Bureau is commanded by an assistant chief, and includes the Patrol Division and Special Operations Division, both under the command of a captain, with lieutenants and sergeants acting and unit and shift commanders.[6]

Investigative services

The Investigative Services Bureau is commanded by an assistant chief, and includes the Property Crimes and Major Crimes units, the Criminal Investigations Division, the Special Investigations unit, and the Intelligence/Computer Crimes unit.[6]

Administration and support services

The Administration & Support Services Bureau is commanded by an assistant chief, and includes a number of support and civilian units, including the technology director, training and recruiting division, operational support division, technical services division, budget/finance director, and the fleet, facilities, and security director.[6]

Rank structure

TitleInsignia
Chief of Police
Deputy chief
Assistant chief
Captain
Lieutenant
Sergeant
Master patrolman(non-rank)
Field training officer
Police officer/Detective

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Administration.
  2. Web site: Chattanooga Police Department: 1940s. City of Chattanooga. 9 August 2012.
  3. Web site: Chattanooga's History (Great Depression through the Present Day). NGeorgia.com. 9 August 2012. 24 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120824043605/http://www.ngeorgia.com/tenn/chattanooga3.html. dead.
  4. Book: Hubbard, Rita L.. African Americans of Chattanooga: A History of Unsung Heroes. The History Press. Charleston, South Carolina. December 10, 2007. 77–78. Notable Place and Events that had an impact on the United States. 978-1-59629-315-1. https://books.google.com/books?id=Y2oFBDdrJDMC&q=black+police+officers+in+chattanooga%2C+1883&pg=PA77. 9 August 2012.
  5. https://www.odmp.org/agency/622-chattanooga-police-department-tennessee Officer Down Memorial Page
  6. Web site: Things Have Changed.