Field Operations Bureau
The Field Operations Bureau is the backbone of the Knoxville Police Department. Embodying the true pride and tradition of the department, the Field Operations Bureau is marked by a philosophy of teamwork. The bureau’s primary function, in its simplest terms, is the prevention and deterrence of criminal activity and the provision of day-to-day police service to the community.
The work performed by this bureau is massive in its scope. While usually occurring in a motor vehicle, officers may also respond on foot, bicycle, boat, or motorcycle to calls for police service.
Field Operations Bureau officers are responsible for order maintenance and problem solving in the community. Unlike departmental members assigned to specific tasks, the uniformed patrol officer must be knowledgeable and proficient at a variety of tasks. The uniformed officers are highly trained in recognizing neighborhood concerns in addition to criminal activity.
Officers assigned to this bureau are the most visible symbols of all city services and considered the foundations on which other police services are delivered.
Field Operations Commander
Deputy Chief Brian Evans
[email protected]
865-215-7548
Deputy Chief Brian Evans is a Commander of the Knoxville Police Department’s Field Operations Bureau. He was promoted to Deputy Chief in March 2024.
Evans, who previously served as the West District Commander and Internal Affairs Commander, has been with KPD since 1998 and has served in numerous positions in the Field Operations Bureau, including the East and West Districts, Inspections Divisions and the Traffic Division.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
West District
The Knoxville Police Department’s West District is the largest of the three police districts, covering roughly 49.5 square miles. That includes numerous major thoroughfares, primarily I-40, Western Avenue, Kingston Pike, Pellissippi Parkway, Clinton Highway and portions of Alcoa Highway. West Town Mall also falls within the West District boundaries.
West District Commanding Officer
Captain Tracy Hunter
[email protected]
865-215-7576
Captain Tracy Hunter has been with the Knoxville Police Department since 1999. She was promoted to Captain in January 2023. Prior to being promoted to Captain, she served as the executive officer for the Field Operations Bureau Commander as well as the Lieutenant over the Forensic Unit.
Executive Officer
Lieutenant Brian Bumpus
[email protected]
865-215-7532
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP OFFICERS
Community Partnership Officers are assigned to specific districts to help solve problems, address quality of life issues and facilitate community meetings and interactions within the district.
To contact a West District CPO, call 865-215-7042.
Ricky Gallaher [email protected]
Shawn Peoples [email protected]
Anita Watson [email protected]
Central District
Downtown Knoxville, South Knoxville and the area immediately surrounding the University of Tennessee campus all fall within the Knoxville Police Department’s Central District. In total, the Central District covers 15.3 square miles, which includes the Old City, Fort Sanders, the Cumberland Avenue corridor.
Central District Commanding Officer
Captain Darrell Griffin
[email protected]
865-215-7207
Captain Darrell Griffin was promoted to Captain in February 2025, when he was assigned as the Commander of the Field Operations Central District. Griffin has served with KPD since first becoming a Cadet in 1996. He was sworn in as a KPD officer in 1999. Over the past 25 years, Griffin has performed a variety of assignments at KPD, including as a Field Operations officer and supervisor, the commander of the department’s Mobile Field Force, the supervisor of the Special Crimes Unit and most recently as the executive officer for the Field Operations Central District.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP OFFICERS
Community Partnership Officers are assigned to specific districts to help solve problems, address quality of life issues and facilitate community meetings and interactions within the district.
To contact a Central District CPO, call 865-215-7389.
Joe Shackelford [email protected]
John Morgan [email protected]
Darrell Sexton [email protected]
East District
The Knoxville Police Department’s East District encompasses all of East Knoxville and covers portions of North Knoxville, including Fountain City and the Broadway corridor north of Downtown Knoxville. Numerous vibrant communities are covered by the East District, including the Parkridge, Five Points, and Burlington neighborhoods.
East District Commanding Officer
Captain Nevin Long
[email protected]
865-215-1201
Captain Nevin Long is the commander of the Knoxville Police Department’s East District and oversees all field operations in the East and North Knoxville communities. Captain Long has been with KPD since 2002 and has served as a patrol officer in the East District and a supervisor in the West District. He has also been an investigator in the Property Crimes Unit and the Violent Crimes Unit, as well as a supervisor in the Special Crimes Unit. He served on the KPD’s Mobile Field Force for 14 years and has either previously or actively been involved in numerous programs and committees within KPD and the community. Most recently, that included several programs directed towards curbing domestic violence and child abuse. Captain Long holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has completed several command courses throughout his career.
Executive Officer
Lieutenant Colin McLeod
[email protected]
865-215-1221
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP OFFICERS
Community Partnership Officers are assigned to specific districts to help solve problems, address quality of life issues and facilitate community meetings and interactions within the district.
To contact an East District CPO, call 865-215-7311.
Lori Banks [email protected]
Shelley Clemons [email protected]
Field Operations Support
Captain Rob Taylor
[email protected]
865-215-1201
Captain Rob Taylor was promoted in February 2025 and is currently assigned as the Captain over the Field Operations Support Division. Taylor was a part of KPD’s first-ever Cadet class, joining the department in that role in 1992. He became an officer after completing the KPD Training Academy in June 1994. He has spent the entirety of his 30-plus year career in Field Operations, serving as both a patrol officer and supervisor. Prior to his promotion to Captain, he was the Field Operations East District executive officer, where he helped spearhead a significant two-year reduction in homicides.
Field Operations Special Services
Captain Sammy Shaffer
[email protected]
865-215-7404
Captain Sammy Shaffer is the Commander of the Field Operations Special Services Division, where he oversees special events and emergency operations in addition to the development of the department’s forthcoming Real-Time Information Center. Previously, he was assigned to the Field Operations Bureau as the Central District Commander. Captain Shaffer has been with the KPD since 2001 and has served as a patrol officer, bicycle officer, patrol Sergeant, Lieutenant over Homeland Security / Emergency Management, and Training Director of the police academy. He also previously served on the department’s Special Operations Squad and Bomb Squad. Captain Shaffer has completed the Southeastern Leadership Academy, the Policing Leadership Academy at the University of Chicago, and he has a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Administration.
1650 Huron Street
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: (865) 215-7000
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