Briefing Room
Welcome to our briefing room. Here you will find current news, information on seminars, and other helpful information.
SPD Citizen Survey Project
Underway
Upcoming Police
Department Reaccreditation Scheduled
Kid's Police Camp and Child
Safety Day
S.T.O.P. Program Goes on the Road
Community Resource Guide
SPD Citizen Survey Project
Underway
We are currently reviewing and compiling the results of our Citizen Survey that was conducted over the past couple of months. Results will be published here when they are available.
The City of Sevierville Police Department is in the process of mailing 1,000
surveys to City residents and businesses, on a random basis. The purpose of the
survey is to measure citizen satisfaction with the police department’s employees
and programs, to receive input from citizens regarding their concerns and
suggestions for improvement, and to measure overall police department
performance. The survey is conducted every three years. If you received a
survey, we ask that you take a few moments to complete and return it in the
pre-addressed, postage paid envelope. The police department always welcomes
comments and suggestions from all citizens and visitors, so don’t hesitate to
stop by the department in the Municipal Complex (300 Gary Wade Blvd.) or call us
at 865-453-5506.
Upcoming Police
Department Reaccreditation Scheduled
The Sevierville Police Department will undergo an in-depth assessment as part of
the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
reaccreditation process. During the assessment, scheduled for August 23-27,
2008, a team of CALEA assessors will determine if the department is meeting over
400 standards pertaining to the department’s operation. Citizen input is a
valued part of the assessment process. To generate citizen input, a public
meeting will be scheduled and an email address and telephone number will also be
available. The department was initially accredited in 1999 and must undergo
reaccreditation every three years. For additional information, please call the
department’s Accreditation Manager, Bob Stahlke, at 865-453-5506.
Kid’s Police Camp and Child
Safety Day
The Sevierville Police Department has two popular events for children scheduled
this summer. The
Child Safety Day
will be held on Saturday, May 10 from 11am-2pm
in front of the police department (300 Gary Wade Blvd., in the City Municipal
Complex). This event brings together dozens of agencies to educate children (and
adults, too!) about the emergency services offered in our community. The event
includes lots of fun activities and interactive opportunities. For additional
information, please contact Sgt. Rebecca Cowan at 865-453-7310 ext. 3001. The
Kid’s Police Camp,
June 16-20, gives young men and women (11-14 years of age) an opportunity to
learn basic police skills in a safe, organized and structured environment.
Planned activities include self-defense, safety with firearms, police radio
procedures, fingerprinting and many other duties performed by police officers.
Campers will also take part in practical exercises that simulate
situations such as searching buildings and stopping vehicles. Registration is
limited. Applications are available at the police department. Application
deadline is June 8. For additional information, contact Sgt. Rebecca Cowan at
865-453-7310, ext. 3001.
S.T.O.P. Program Goes On The Road
Severe
Traffic
Offender
Patrol,
or
STOP,
is a new program with a new police vehicle (see photo). “The main goal of the
program,” says SPD Chief Don Myers, “is to reduce the potential for aggressive
driving in our City, ultimately improving the safety of our roads for everyone.”
The new Dodge Charger is a steel blue/gray with subdued police
identification and equipped with standard emergency equipment such as a siren
and blue lights (located inside the front and rear windows, and front and rear
grill areas). “The vehicle does not look like a standard patrol car,” says SPD
Sgt. Matt Ayers, who was instrumental in starting the new program. “This enables
officers to respond to situations such as reports of an aggressive driver,
without the alleged aggressive driver being aware of the officer’s initial
appearance.” The vehicle is funded in part by a US Department of Justice grant
and will be used in various capacities, including directed patrol situations
such as DUI and drug enforcement.
Sevierville Police Department Community
Resource Guide
The Sevierville Police Department (SPD) recently completed a comprehensive handbook of law enforcement related information. The Community Resources Handbook is currently available on the City’s website (www.seviervilletn.org, select Sevierville Police Department Website at bottom left to find the SPD home page), and at the Sevierville Police Department. The 46-page handbook includes information about the SPD and our programs, and additional information on the following topics: home security; identity theft; vehicle security; and disaster preparedness. A law enforcement and local government phone directory is also included. The handbook is the work of SPD Sgt. Matt Ayers and fellow Community Oriented Police Officers.

