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.