Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch today named Janet Gorman and Dr. David Kitts Co-Civilian Employees of the Month for February. Ms. Gorman, the Police Planning and Operations Manager, has been with KPD since May 1990. Mr. Kitts, Domestic Violence Program Manager, has been a member of the department since January 2002.

Chief Rausch said that on February 15, 2012, Investigator Debra Nuchols began an investigation into a child custody complaint. The mother, who is from Iran, indicated she had not seen her child since the father took him in early November. She repeatedly attempted to contact her child's father and his family who were supposedly in the Lexington, KY area. Each time the family would make excuses as to why she couldn't have contact with her 7 year-old child. She was eventually told by the family that the father had obtained custody of the child through the courts. Upon checking with the courts, this claim was determined to be false.

Chief Rausch said, "Investigator Nuchols began an exhaustive investigation that continued into the evening. The child and his father were eventually located in Cincinnati Ohio."

Knowing that the mother had to travel to Ohio so authorities could quickly regain custody of the child, Investigator Nuchols reached out to Mr. Kitts for assistance. Mr. Kitts, who was conducting a training session, began searching for transportation options for the mother. It was determined that the quickest option would be via bus. Ms. Gorman was then called to see what, if any, options would be immediately available to fund the cost of the ticket.

Chief Rausch said, "Without hesitation, Ms. Gorman purchased the bus tickets with her own credit card to make sure the mother would be able to board the bus on its last departure of the evening."

"Due to the quick actions of Mr. Kitts and Ms. Gorman, the Cincinnati Police Department was able to facilitate the reunion of the child and his mother," said Chief Rausch.

Mayor Rogero said, "The actions of Ms. Gorman and Mr. Kitts clearly show the commitment our employees have to their job as well as to the citizens we serve. Congratulations on a job well done."