RESOLUTION NO. RS2003-1432

A resolution recognizing former Police Chief Emmett Turner upon his retirement with the Metropolitan Government.

WHEREAS, on March 31, 2003, Emmett Turner, Police Chief retired after thirty-four years of law enforcement with the Metropolitan Police Department and is well deserving of this recognition; and

WHEREAS, Emmett Turner began his career on January 1, 1969, with the Metropolitan Police Department, where he served in various positions as he steadily rose through the ranks until he was appointed on January 16, 1996, as Police Chief by former Nashville Mayor Phil Bredesen; and

WHEREAS, under Chief Turner’s strong leadership, the Metropolitan Police Department was historic in many ways, none more important than the decreases in crime in Nashville in the last year, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., reaccredited the police department twice, in 1999 and 2002; making sure all patrol cars were equipped with laptop computers enabling officers in the field to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively and bringing the Police Department as close to full staff as possible with the recruitment of police officers to serve our city; and

WHEREAS, Chief of Police Emmett Turner was instrumental in increasing the number of officers in the school system that includes all public high schools and middle schools, and the number of officers teaching the Gang Resistance Education and Training Curriculum both of which have contributed to the improved safety of our youth; and

WHEREAS, some of his accomplishments, during his tenure as Chief of Police include overseeing the site selection, construction and opening of the new Hermitage Precinct which is the department’s 6th Precinct and the start of the North Nashville area precinct, expanded crime fighting partnerships throughout the city by increasing the number of approximately 130 organized Neighborhood Watch Groups in the city, and was successful in placing an Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) within the Police Department to assist with determining and linking spent bullets and shell casings with particular crimes; and

WHEREAS, Chief Turner oversaw the reform of the Police Department’s Internal Affairs component, which is now called the Office of Professional Accountability; and

WHEREAS, Chief Turner has maintained a strong working relationship with various Federal Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, ATF, Secret Service, DEA and IRS that the Police Department participates with in joint investigations with those federal entities; and

WHEREAS, Chief Turner is to be commended for his timeless efforts for the improvements of our city and will sorely be missed as the Chief of Police for his professionalism, energy and leadership in bringing the Metropolitan Police Department to a tremendous level of success; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes former Police Chief Emmett Turner for his accomplishments with the Metropolitan Police Department and wish him much success as he begins his new career.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record recognizing Emmett Turner upon his retirement with the Metropolitan Government.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a hand-lettered scroll to be presented to former Police Chief Emmett Turner.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Ludye N. Wallace, David Briley, Ron Turner

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	May 6, 2003
Adopted:	May 6, 2003
Approved:	May 7, 2003
By: