Hello!
Public Safety is a prerequisite for all the other things we care about - strong families, sustainable economic development, affordable housing, and healthy neighborhoods.
To provide a safe city, we need a highly trained, fully-staffed and fairly compensated police force that is accountable to the public and has the trust of the people they pledge to serve and protect.
Knoxville’s Police officers are working overtime (literally) to keep us safe every day. To better understand KPD’s day-to-day work I have gone on 5 ride-alongs this year, with patrol officers on all three shifts, as well as the officer who serves as KPD’s liaison to the homeless population. I have observed roll calls, and attended graduations for new officers and officers who completed Crisis Intervention Training. I have also attended numerous meetings of the Police Advisory Review Committee (PARC), our civilian oversight board, and dozens of neighborhood meetings where KPD officers provide updates and answer questions on local safety issues.
I met with LaKenya Middlebrook recently to discuss her work as a member of PARC. LaKenya is a great advocate for kids, affordable housing and accountability for law enforcement. I am grateful for her support and insight.
As Mayor public safety will be a top priority. I will work to make Body Cameras standard equipment for KPD officers. Body cameras help protect the public from police abuses of power and protect officers from false allegations of abuse. Both KCSO and UTPD already use body cameras. It’s time for KPD to follow suit.
Body cameras are just a tool to improve accountability. I also support continued Crisis Intervention Training, implicit bias training, recruiting a police force that reflects Knoxville’s population, and making sure KPD is fully staffed with highly qualified and fairly compensated officers.
In 1998 PARC was the first civilian oversight board in the state of Tennessee. Now, 21 years later, it’s time to review their role and see if improvements can be made to make sure their oversight is as effective as possible.
Public safety is a fundamental role of city government and works best when there is trust between residents and the officers who promise to protect and serve them.
Thanks for all of your support!
Paid for by "Kincannon for Knoxville", Kelly Johnson, Treasurer
Kincannon for Mayor
PO Box 3783
Knoxville, TN 37927
United States
If you wish these messages go to a different email address or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe.