MAYOR NAMES POLICE VETERAN AS INTERIM DIRECTOR OF 9-1-1
National search for permanent director continues
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 20, 2008) -Mayor Karl Dean and Police Chief Ronal Serpas today announced that respected Metro Police Lieutenant Duane Phillips is taking a leave of absence from the police department to become Interim Director of the Emergency Communications Center.
Phillips is a 36-year police department veteran who brings to the job extensive police and public safety skills along with a broad knowledge of Communications Center operations. Phillips supervised Metro police emergency communications for nearly three years, from January 2000 through August of 2002.
“Duane Phillips has spent more than half his life protecting and serving the citizens of Nashville and is in a unique position to understand the critical role the 9-1-1 call center serves as the public’s direct link to emergency responders. He is a perfect fit while we take our time finding the best person to be in this role permanently,” Mayor Dean said.
Phillips is succeeding Terry Griffith, Ed.D., a Metropolitan Government Finance Department employee who specializes in management issues. Griffith assumed the role as interim ECC director last July. She will continue to work at the communications center for the near term to assist in the transition.
“Fire Chief Steve Halford and I are deeply appreciative to Terry for taking on this task and her commendable work to keep the ECC moving forward over the past ten months,” said Chief Serpas, who also serves as chairman of the ECC board. “Still, as the national search continues for a permanent director, we feel that a person such as Duane Phillips with a background in public safety is best suited to manage ECC operations in the interim. I am extremely grateful to Duane for accepting this responsibility.”
As a Metro police lieutenant, Phillips most recently oversaw all of the North Precinct’s investigative operations. He has also served as a Murder Squad detective, a Homicide Unit supervisor, a Patrol Division supervisor, and the head of the police department’s Records Division.
For media inquiries contact:
Bonna Johnson
615-862-6461
bonna.johnson@nashville.gov