Blog: KPD News & Alerts

Retired Federal Judge Guyton Agrees to Serve as Interim Deputy Chief of Professional Standards

Retired Federal Judge H. Bruce Guyton has agreed to join the Knoxville Police Department’s executive leadership team as the Interim Deputy Chief of Professional Standards.

At the upcoming City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 25, the members of City Council will review and vote on a proposed agreement for Judge Guyton to serve as the Interim Deputy Chief of Professional Standards on a month-to-month contract basis. If approved, Judge Guyton would step into that role until the next full-time Deputy Chief of Professional Standards can be selected, hired and onboarded. Judge Guyton’s monthly contract rate would be roughly equivalent to his predecessor, Brooklyn Belk.

“I am entirely committed to the Professional Standards model, and Judge Guyton will allow us to continue the work that has already been started without interruption,” said Chief of Police Paul Noel. “He is highly qualified and will add tremendous value to our team. I look forward to bringing him into the fold and appreciate his willingness to assist our efforts to improve our organization.”

Judge Guyton most recently served as a United States Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Tennessee for nearly 20 years until he retired from that post in early 2022. Prior to that, he was a founding partner of local law firm Woolf, McClane, Bright, Allen & Carpenter, PLLC. One of his primary areas of concentration was discrimination and employment law. Judge Guyton has also been trained and certified as a mediator through the University of Tennessee’s Conflict Resolution Program.

“I respect and appreciate the Knoxville Police Department and look forward to becoming a part of the organization,” said Judge Guyton. “I am grateful to Chief Noel and Mayor Kincannon for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the good work the men and women of the KPD do on a daily basis.”

The process of identifying the full-time Deputy Chief of Professional Standards is well underway. The job opening has been posted on numerous state-wide and national forums, including the Tennessee Bar Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.

“We are committed to strong leadership as part of our Office of Professional Standards at KPD,” said Mayor Indya Kincannon. “I'm grateful that someone of Judge Guyton's experience and stature is willing to fill this role while we seek candidates for a permanent position.”

Guyton would step into the interim role soon after City Council approval.

Posted by serland On 19 July, 2023 at 12:57 PM