Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Chief David Rausch today named Phil Jinks the 2016 Co-Officer of the Year for the Knoxville Police Department. Officer Jinks began his career with the department as a cadet in December 1996. Jinks is currently assigned as an investigator in the Organized Crime Unit.
In 2016, Investigator Jinks continued to distinguish himself throughout the year with the quality of his investigations when called upon to investigate several high profile drug cases.
The first case involved the criminal street gang, Insane Mafia Vice Lords. From late 2015 to the early part of 2016, the Knoxville community began to see a large rise in street gang violence. The Vice Lords were implicated as being responsible for much of the violence. As a result of much attention being directed toward this group, Investigator Jinks and others within the Organized Crime Unit began looking into the group’s activities. After several months of hard work, they were able to tie several members of this violent street gang to a criminal conspiracy to distribute more than 150 grams of Heroin in a school zone. In addition to drug charges, the group was charged under the Tennessee Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization statute (RICO). This was the first use of RICO in Knox County history. As a result of Investigator Jinks’ hard work and innovative use of resources, over 350 grams of Heroin and 8 firearms were removed from our community. Investigator Jinks, with the assistance of the Organized Crime Unit, did an outstanding job leading this effort to make our city safe from one of the most violent and destructive groups in our area.
A second investigation by Investigator Jinks led to the conviction of a suspect for his role in a large drug conspiracy. The investigation began in 2013 when the suspect and several others conspired to distribute several kilos of heroin and thousands of pills into the Knoxville area from Detroit, Michigan. In September 2016, the suspect was sentenced to 23 years in prison. The other co-conspirators had already pleaded guilty for their role in the conspiracy. They were sentenced to a combined total of 86 years in prison.
These are only two examples of the constant exceptional work that Investigator Jinks did for the Knoxville Police Department in 2016. Throughout his career he has consistently given his all for his community. He is a highly motivated investigator who works hard to get results. His career is marked by removing some of Knoxville’s most notorious criminals from our community. The work he accomplished in 2016 was accomplished while being tasked with other assignments such as the Temporary Gang Task Force along with other special projects. His knowledge of Federal, state and case law is unsurpassed. His close working relationship with the Knox County District Attorney’s Office, and state and Federal partner agencies serves to make him a more effective investigator, and these relationships have been forged because of Investigator Jinks’ commitment to excellence and reputation for integrity and hard work. He is a leader in the department and his opinion is sought in many legal matters.
Investigator Jinks is well known for his strong work ethic and job knowledge in the field of narcotics enforcement. He consistently builds strong cases that yield results and 2016 was no different. Investigator Jinks is truly worthy of being awarded the Co-Officer of the Year for the Knoxville Police Department. Congratulations.
Click here to view a listing of KPD award winners.