Change is coming to the East Ridge Police Department as Chief Stan Allen announced his retirement last month after a 38-year career in law enforcement.
Co-workers, invited guests and local officials celebrated Allen and his tenure with the department on Sept. 22 at the East Ridge Community Center with a reception in his honor.
"I have loved working as chief for East Ridge and the great people I've been privileged to work with," Allen said in a news release. "I'm excited for what comes next: hunting, fishing, golf and hiking."
Allen began working for the Chattanooga Police Department in 1984 and accepted a position in the private sector in 2012. In spring of 2015, he joined the East Ridge Police Department as assistant chief and was appointed as chief in 2019.
Allen's successor is Clint Uselton, who was named the new chief upon Allen announcing his retirement and began the role officially on Sept. 26, according to the release. Uselton has been an East Ridge resident for 20 years and has been a part of the East Ridge Police Department since 1999.
City Manager Chris Dorsey did a nationwide search. Applicants were screened by an interview panel made up of police chiefs from other municipalities, he said by email.
"After the interview process it became apparent that Clint Uselton, former assistant chief from within our own department, far-and-away had the best knowledge and skills to lead our department," Dorsey said.
"I am excited to be entrusted with the leadership of a department full of dedicated and motivated public servants," Uselton said in the release. "Working alongside our citizens and other partners, we can continue to advance our mission of creating a safer East Ridge."
East Ridge Police Department / Stan AllenUselton's past roles included everything from patrol officer and sergeant to lieutenant and assistant chief. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Tennessee Law Enforcement Executive Development, according to the release.
Dorsey said Lt. Josh Creel will take over as assistant chief.
"The assistant chief search was done internally and Josh Creel, former CID Lieutenant, was the best suited for that position," Dorsey said.
Creel has worked for the East Ridge Police Department since 2001 as a patrol officer and detective. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
"I am very pleased with the selections made," said Mayor Brian Williams in an email. "I feel we had very qualified candidates for both positions internally. It should be a very seamless transition in leadership as both our new Chief Uselton and Assistant Chief Creel have extensive knowledge and experience within the department and have a great rapport with the current officers."
East Ridge Police Department / Josh CreelWilliams went to state that he knows the city will be served well under the guidance and leadership of this new leadership and the department.
Uselton and Creel stated in the release that their focus for the department will be to be proactive and organized to effectively respond to the needs of East Ridge residents.
"I am looking forward to forging the men and women of the East Ridge Police Department into the servant leaders our community deserves," Creel said in the release.