On Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, Mayor Rogero, City officials, board members and supporters of Knoxville’s Police Advisory and Review Committee (PARC) will gather to mark the 20th anniversary of the initiative to improve relations between residents and the Knoxville Police Department. The celebration will take place at 4 p.m. in the Small Assembly Room in the City County Building at 400 Main St.

PARC is the longest continuously running citizen-run police advisory board in Tennessee, comprising seven volunteers served by a full-time executive director who is hired by the Mayor and approved by the committee. PARC provides an independent review of police activity and makes recommendations to the Chief of Police. PARC’s quarterly meetings are open to the public.
 
PARC has formed relationships between law enforcement and residents with an emphasis on making the City of Knoxville a safe and inviting place. In addition to providing cultural competency and unconscious bias training to KPD officers, PARC leads outreach efforts to ensure that residents and law enforcement officers have the opportunity to learn about diversity, inclusion, community policing and public safety. 

“Independent reviews of police conduct and issues regarding public safety build trust in law enforcement, increasing our police officers’ ability to keep residents safe,” says Clarence L. Vaughn III, who was named PARC’s third Executive Director in April 2016. 

For additional information about PARC, visit KnoxvilleTN.gov/PARC.