Chattanooga Police Chief Bobby Dodd., speaks to members of the STARS program (Shepherd Teaching Academics Respect Service) during a tour of the Chattanooga Police Services Center. Dodd retired Tuesday.
Former police chief Bobby Dodd was assigned to mounted patrol for 18 months downtown before the unit was dissolved. From left to right are former officers Danny Hill, Bobby Dodd and Jim Brock.Bobby Dodd never forgot where he came from.
During his 26 years with the Chattanooga Police Department, the last three as chief, that may have been his biggest asset, those who knew him say.
Dodd grew up in East Lake.
“I think he had a certain advantage growing up in the inner city,” said Kevin Adams, pastor at Olivet Baptist Church. “Knowing a lot of the constituents, and feeling part of it — not coming in just trying to do law enforcement, but coming out of it and feeling a part of it — I think his approach was totally different.”
Tuesday marked Dodd’s last day on the job. He had already turned in his department-issue black 2013 Ford Taurus. He was allowed to keep his Sig P220 handgun.