Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch today unveiled a new shoulder patch for Knoxville Police Department uniforms. This marks only the fourth time in the department's 166-year history that a new design has been adopted and the first since the 1970's.
Chief Rausch said the department's Command Staff has been working for more than a year on the development of the new patch. Input was received from officers through a survey along with group discussions during in-service training in 2014. The new patch reflects special qualities of our city instead of the current generic patch that is used by many agencies across the nation. The new patch also represents a sense of pride for our officers and community members. Several iconic images were selected that truly represents the city for who we are along with our proud history.
Images on the patch include:
The Great Smoky Mountains, which frame our view of the city every day and set the heritage of our City in the Valley
The Howard Baker Jr. Federal Courthousenamed after the great Statesman of Tennessee
The Sunsphere, a true Knoxville icon and the centerpiece of the 1982 World's Fair
Blount Mansion, home to the state's first Governor, William Blount and the birthplace of our State Constitution
Ayers Hall, centerpiece of the University of Tennessee, the State University
The Tennessee Theatre, the official theatre of the state
The historic Gay and Henley Street Bridgesthat connect our city over the great Tennessee River
The Tennessee River, an ageless part of this city responsible for centuries of transportation and recreation for the region
Also prominent on the patch is the year our City was founded (1791) and the three stars to represent the three Grand Divisions of the State of Tennessee, East/Middle/West.
Chief Rausch said, "The new patch defines who we are. It is unique to our city and no other police department will be able to wear this patch. We are proud of the design and believe this patch will be an additional tool that will connect us with the community we serve."
The transition to the new patch will occur during the month of March with all old patches completely phased out by April 1. The city will not bear any additional costs for implementing the new patch.