Cleveland TN announces top three finalists for police chief job

Cleveland Police Service Center is shown in this file photo.
Cleveland Police Service Center is shown in this file photo.

The City of Cleveland, Tenn., this morning announced the top three finalists for its open police chief job.

The candidates are, in alphabetical order:

* Jessie Brooks, a Captain with the TN Highway Patrol

* Timothy Christol, Chief of the Red Bank Police Department

* Mark Gibson, Interim Chief of the Cleveland Police Department

Extensive background reviews and an assessment will be conducted on each of the three candidates over the next three weeks, according to a news release from the city. Interviews will be conducted the week of Sept. 7 and the selection process should be complete by Oct. 1, the release said.

The interviews for the final three candidates will be held publicly, but not with the public in attendance, said City Manager Janice Casteel.

photo Cleveland Police Service Center is shown in this file photo.

"The public will be able to view the interviews, but they will not actually be in the rooms where the interviews are conducted," she said.

The police chief interview panel includes City Manager Janice Casteel, law enforcement consultant Larry Wallace, Lee University President Paul Conn and Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce board President Robert Bradney.

The next police chief will be "a crucial and ultimately pivotal appointment" for the department as well as the citizens of Cleveland, said Wallace in a recent report to the Cleveland City Council.

Wallace was hired by Cleveland in March, shortly after then-police Chief Dennis Maddux was demoted back to captain after his highly publicized involvement with a subordinate officer's wife. Maddux was officially chief for one day.

An internal investigation, overseen by the 10th Judicial District Attorney's Office, concluded that Maddux violated department policy by lying about a months-long extramarital affair. Gibson recommended that the city manager fire Maddux, but the embattled former chief resigned before any disciplinary action could be taken.

In January 2014, Wes Snyder, who had served as police chief for eight years, retired after surveillance video surfaced that showed him trysting with a woman at a storage unit equipped with a lawn chair, blankets, and a bottle of brandy.

The original applicants

Ronald J. OliverUpper Marlboro, Md.Various commander positions for Office of the Sheriff, Prince George’s County, 1990 - 2013Bryan GravesMadisonville, Tenn.Chief Deputy for Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, 2006 - 2014Robert M. BaerGladstone, Mo.Current Deputy Chief for Gladstone Department of Public Safety, Mo.Served as division commander from 2007 - 2015Craig B. MoatesEagleville, Tenn.Current Chief of Police, McKenzie Police DepartmentServed as police chief for Kotzebue Police Department, Alaska from 2010 to 2012D. Dennis BrownThomasville, N.C.Current management and training consultant with Arrive Management GroupServed as police chief for Newberry, S.C., Windsor, Vt., and Wilton, MaineBarry BrewerFlorence, Ala.Current area sales manager for Bluegrass Uniforms and Equipment Co.Retired as captain from Florence Police Department, serving from 1988 to 2008Stephen L. AbbingtonSt. Charles, Mo.Served in various St. Louis-area law enforcement positions between 1994 and 2011; served as police chief for Wellston, Mo. between 2001 and 2006.Jeffrey CassidyMt. Carmel, Tenn.Criminal justice instructor for Johnson City SchoolsServed with Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office from 1997 to 2013, attaining rank of captain in 2007.Larry LindseyArlington, Tenn.Current captain/civil field and levy commander for Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.Has served with department since 1991.James ReedEast Ridge, Tenn.Chief of East Ridge Police DepartmentHas served with the department since 1988Chris W. MathesJohnson City, Tenn.Director of Public Safety and Security for Universal Protection ServicesServed as sheriff for Carter County from 2006 to 2014Frank J. TennantMillington, Tenn.Chief of Millington Police DepartmentServed as police chief or Hermann, Mo. from 2004 to 2014Michael D. BledsoeVonore, Tenn.Administrative Captain of Monroe County Sheriff’s OfficeServed as police chief for Vonore, Tenn. from 2003 to 2007Stephanie D. HillNewport, Tenn.Chattanooga State Community College Police ChiefHas served 19 years in law enforcement and private securityMark GibsonCleveland, Tenn.Interim Chief for Cleveland Police DepartmentHas served with department since 1997Jon K. CollinsCleveland, Tenn.Patrol officers for Cleveland Police DepartmentServed with Bradley County Sheriff’s Office from 1992 to 2014, attaining rank of major in 2011.Jessie BrooksKingston, Tenn.Tennessee Highway Patrol CaptainHas served with THP since 1981, attaining rank of captain in 2013James C. ParisEllendale, Tenn.Served as chief of Mason Police Department from 2007 to 2015Served as Shelby County Sheriff’s Office detective from 1993 to 2004Michael McCulloughRockwood, Tenn.Criminal investigator for Roane State Police DepartmentServed 20 years with Rockwood Police DepartmentRobert C. RenegarMcDonald, Tenn.Retired from Cleveland Police Department in 2004Served department for 26 yearsPart-time instructor for Cleveland State Police Academy from 2004 to 2011Kevin CurreriSomaliaUnited Nations Child Protection Specialist/Senior Justice Sector ReformServed with police service in Queensland, Australia, from 2001 to 2012Anthony W. HeavnerJackson, Tenn.Captain with Madison County Sheriff’s OfficeHas served with department since 1989Bill T. DyerCleveland, Tenn.Director of Safety and Security for Jones Management - Check Into Cash - U.S. Money ShopsServed with Bradley County Sheriff’s Office from 1985 to 2014; held rank of chief deputy between 2006 and 2010Raymond W. SidesArlington, Tenn.Commanding sergeant for homicide division of Shelby County Sheriff’s OfficeHas served department for 25 yearsJustin D. PowersSelmer, Tenn.President/owner of JDPowers Investigative ServicesChief of Grand Junction Police Department from 2010 to 2013James W. ShaversLubbock, TexasAssistant Chief of Lubbock Police DepartmentHas served the department for 27 yearsClifford E. “Max” MeyerBrooklet, Ga.Chief of Brooklet Police DepartmentHas served in law enforcement since 1979Felix M. VessAthens, Tenn.Chattanooga Housing Authority Police ChiefHas served with department since 2002Craig S. HamiltonCleveland, Tenn.University of Tennessee of Chattanooga Police ChiefServed with Bradley County Sheriff’s Office from 1990 to 2005Arthur S. KingWinter Park, Fla.Former deputy chief of Winter Park Police DepartmentServed with department from 1982 to 2015Dwayne HayesWhite Bluff, Tenn.White Bluff Police Department OfficerServed with Dickson County Sheriff’s Office from 1990 to 2014Timothy A. ChristolHixson, Tenn.Red Bank Police ChiefServed with Knox County Sheriff’s Office from 1979 to 2009Wayne H. JacksonOoltewah, Tenn.Vice President of security and investigations for ERMCServed with the Federal Bureau of Investigations from 1983 to 2010Douglas C. ReeseRoyal Palm Beach, Fla.Captain with Palm Beach County Sheriff’s OfficeHas served the department since 1984Thomas R. ParkerFranklin, Tenn.Captain with Williamson County Sheriff’s OfficeHas served the department since 1978Nathan A. VaughnChattanoogaCaptain with Chattanooga Police DepartmentHas served the department since 1990

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