Chattanooga Police Department

At the 2024 CPD Awards, Officer Christopher Dyess was named Field Training Officer (FTO) of the Year. With six years under his belt at CPD, he's been on the SWAT team and excelled as an FTO. He is deeply committed to being a positive influence in the department and the Chattanooga community as a whole; and his role as a FTO allows him to do just that as he helps shape the future of policing in Chattanooga. Outside work, he enjoys snowboarding and gaming. Please join us in congratulating Officer Dyess.

Meet Kayla Anderson, CPD 2024 Professional Staff of the Year! In her role as Crime & Intelligence Analyst Supervisor, Kayla and her team use data to identify trends and criminal connections, analyze crime reports, and create assets to assist all three CPD Bureaus with resource allocation and crime prevention strategies. Kayla leads her team of analysts by example and is appreciated by everyone she works with. Kayla truly embodies the principle of "making data work for people."

5,129! That's how many Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests we fulfilled last year. On this Freedom of Information Day, we reaffirm our commitment to open access and public records. FOIA requests, also known as open record requests, can be made online here: https://hubs.la/Q03bw57v0

Officer Joslynn Mendoza received the 2024 Rookie of the Year award at the CPD Annual Awards Ceremony. As both a Neighborhood Policing officer and a member of the Crisis Intervention Team, Joslynn enjoys being part of a team with a shared goal of making a positive impact in the community. When she's not on duty, you might find Joslynn breaking a sweat at the gym or enjoying a stroll in the park with her dog. Congratulations to Officer Mendoza on this well-deserved award!

Just some of what CPD Officers do in a day...helping kids cross safely, attending an officer safety & wellness conference, showing how a drone assists officers responding to calls, supporting a new opioid intervention program, and a front porch lineup to start the shift. And this doesn't include the rapid response officers make to dozens of calls for service. Want in on some of the fun? Apply here: https://hubs.la/Q03bRDVT0

Today, on National K9 Veterans Day, we honor our incredible K9s who, since the unit’s inception in 1961, have spent the majority of their lives assisting with tracking, evidence search, criminal apprehension, narcotics detection, and officer safety. K9 Anik who is in the photos is one of eight dogs currently in the CPD K9 Unit. They deserve all the recognition and treats we can give.

Join us in celebrating Randy Raulston, our 2024 CPD Supervisor of the Year! ?? With over 23 years of service, Randy's dedication to Chattanooga is undeniable. From his impactful roles as a Field Training Officer and Police Academy Instructor to his 13 years on SWAT, or his current position as supervisor of the Auto Crimes Unit, he's consistently served with excellence. "I’ve always been intrigued by law enforcement, even at a young age when I became a police explorer while in high school," he says. "I have always loved helping people.” Randy extends heartfelt thanks to his Auto Crimes Unit, family, friends, and especially his wife, Gina. Congratulations, Randy!

The Chattanooga PD table was a popular stop for Middle Valley Elementary School students during career day. Ofc. Wickham had a great time with the kids, answering lots of questions about what it’s like to be a cop. We loved their enthusiasm and seeing a few who are already dressed for the job.

CPD celebrated its newest members of the CPD Chaplain Academy at their graduation ceremony. During their training, the chaplains learned essential skills such as responding to crises, handling stress/suicidality, how to deliver death notifications, and more. The CPD Chaplain program is a vital volunteer program in supporting officers, staff, and community members in times of crisis. More program info and requirements can be found here: https://hubs.la/Q03bd8b-0 Congratulations to Chaplain Arcadio Gomez, Chaplain Dawn Grubbs, Chaplain Stephen Moody, Chaplain Sheri Palladino, Chaplain Reinaldo Perez, and Chaplain Alicia Starova.

There is no greater feat in the Law Enforcement career than saving another human being’s life. At last week's annual award ceremony, we recognized 13 individuals who did just that in the last year. Their actions are surely a result of determined training and a deeply-rooted commitment to helping anyone in need. Congratulations to our award winners: FTO Christopher Dyess Ofc. Brandon Watson Ofc. Micheal Melasecca Ofc. Joseph Alvey Ofc. Philip Spain Ofc. Albert Beard Ofc. Steven Shoemaker Ofc. Richard Cook Ofc. Robert Bidelman Sgt. Jonathan Adams Sgt. Matthew Balinger Sgt. Curtis Roth Dep. Seven Compton of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office