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Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14

Cleveland police unit’s goal is to be ‘a bridge to our community’

Cleveland Police Chief Mark Gibson was given the job last fall to lead a department plagued by a variety of scandals over the last few years.
Cleveland Police Chief Mark Gibson was given the job last fall to lead a department plagued by a variety of scandals over the last few years.
photo Cleveland Police Chief Mark Gibson, left, recognizes Sgt. Evie West, Lt. Scott Bronze and Lt. Matt Jenkins for their recent promotions during the Feb. 8 meeting of the Cleveland City Council. Bronze and West are part of the police department’s new Community Relations Unit, which is responsible for reviewing policies, maintaining accreditation and handling duties associated with crime prevention, public relations and public information.
photo Officer Michael McCant, left, is sworn in by Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland during the Monday meeting of the Cleveland City Council. Officer Geoffrey Humberd, who was sworn in moments before, and Police Chief Mark Gibson observe.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Cleveland police Chief Mark Gibson has publicly introduced his department’s new Community Relations Unit.

The Community Relations Unit, created in January, is responsible for reviewing policies, maintaining accreditation and handling duties associated with crime prevention, public relations and public information.

In a recent Cleveland City Council meeting, Gibson described the unit as “a bridge to our community.”

Lt. Scott Bronze has been appointed to lead the unit. Bronze joined the police department in 2001 and has served as its accreditation officer since 2008.

Gibson praised Bronze for his role in helping the department maintain its record of advanced accreditation certification through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.