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The First Noel

      Communications Director

      Kristin Farley
      [email protected]
      (865) 215-2589

      400 Main St., Room 691
      Knoxville, TN 37902

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      The First Noel

      Posted: 12/21/2022
      KPD logoAs 2022 unfolded, so did a national search for the City of Knoxville’s next Police Chief.
       
      After months of interviews and public input sessions, the Mayor’s Interview Advisory Committee unanimously cast votes singing Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel…(ok, we couldn’t resist).
       
      Mayor Kincannon touted Paul Noel’s strong crime fighting background and his work in police accountability, saying he was the perfect fit for Knoxville.

      In late April, the Mayor publicly announced Noel as her pick and on June 13, Noel was sworn in as Knoxville’s 27th Chief of Police. With his wife by his side he took the oath of office at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and got straight to work.




      In just 6 months, Chief Noel has accomplished quite a bit.  Most notably:


        Chief Paul Noel and PARC Director Tiffany Davidson
      Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel and PARC Director Tiffany Davidson
         
      • KPD joined the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project as a partner agency, making KPD the first Tennessee law enforcement agency to join the ABLE Project. Learn more.

      Snowflakes• Chief Noel implemented the Use of Force Review Board as part of an ongoing effort to enhance and improve agency operations. Learn more.

      • Chief Noel oversaw one of the most significant department reorganizations in the history of KPD and that reorganization expanded Knoxville from two police districts to three, with the re-establishment of the Central District. Learn more.

      • In coordination with Police Advisory and Review Committee (PARC) Director Tiffany Davidson, Chief Noel helped initiate the first-ever operating agreement between the KPD and PARC. Learn more.

      • And, Chief Noel eliminated officer response to certain minor, non-injury crashes in an effort to reclaim time spent on those crashes to focus attention on higher priority public safety issues and positive community engagement.


      In addition, Chief Noel works hand-in-hand with Community Safety Director LaKenya Middlebrook.  Together, they helped form the first partnership in the country with the newly-established Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction at the University of Maryland, led by Thomas Abt and Rod Brunson.  
       
      Chief Noel and KPD will soon be moving into the new Public Safety Complex in North Knoxville, which is nearing completion.

      Snowflakes

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