Nashville Mayor Appoints New Chief of Police
35-year veteran of Nashville Police Department takes top post
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 23, 2010) -Mayor Karl Dean today appointed 35-year Nashville Police Department veteran Steve Anderson as the seventh Chief of Police in the Metropolitan Government’s 48-year history.
Anderson, 62, has served as Interim Chief of Police for the past seven months since the departure of Ronal Serpas for New Orleans in May. Anderson joined the Nashville Police Department as an officer trainee on January 1, 1975.
“Our police department has been in very capable hands since May, and I continue to have full trust and confidence in Steve Anderson’s leadership,” Mayor Dean said. “Public safety will always be one of my top priorities as Mayor. To that end, I have no doubt that Nashville’s families will be very well served by Chief Anderson now and in the years to come.”
Anderson, a graduate of the Nashville School of Law and a licensed attorney, pledged to continue the police department’s grassroots approach to law enforcement and problem-solving.
“This is a very exciting time in the police department, and I am grateful to Mayor Dean for his confidence and support as we work to reduce crime, expand community partnerships, and increase our efficiency through two new precincts and our first-ever DNA crime laboratory,” Anderson said. “I have been very fortunate to have served under very excellent and thoughtful chiefs of police, Casey, Kirchner, Turner and Serpas, and look forward to doing everything in my ability to build on their successes while meeting and overcoming new challenges.”
“As the May flooding once again showed, our very talented and dedicated employees are absolutely committed to doing whatever it takes to professionally serve Nashville’s families, businesses and visitors,” Anderson said. “I am very proud of our officers and professional support staff for the work they have done and will do to make Nashville even safer.”
Chief Steve Anderson
- Hired as police officer trainee January 1, 1975
- Promoted to Sergeant January 1, 1984
- Promoted to Lieutenant July 16, 1987
- Promoted to Captain July 2, 1998
- Promoted to Assistant Chief/Administrative Services May 1, 2001
- Appointed Deputy Chief/Support Operations January 1, 2003
- Appointed Deputy Chief/Investigative Services May 16, 2004
- Appointed Deputy Chief/Field Operations October 17, 2008
For media inquiries contact:
Bonna Johnson
615-862-6461
bonna.johnson@nashville.gov