Metro Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson announced the promotion of 28 MNPD veterans who have a combined total of 262 years of Nashville law enforcement experience to new supervisory roles effective June 1st. Among the 28 are 2 new captains, 3 new lieutenants, and 23 new sergeants. Two of those promoted are well-known members of the LGBT community: Lieutenant Dave Leavitt has been promoted to captain, and Officer Catie Poole, MNPD's first LGBT Liaison, has been promoted to sergeant.
“These individuals have proven through testing and their dedicated work over their time with us that they are ready to assume the responsibility expected of ranking supervisors in the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department,” Chief Anderson said. “I am confident in their abilities and their commitment to Nashville and its families.”
The full list of those being promoted to captain are:
- Lieutenant Carlos Lara Jr., an 11-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Specialized Investigations Division. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Trevecca Nazarene University and a Law Degree from Nashville School of Law. Lara will become one of the MNPD’s three field supervising captains who rotate duty during late night/overnight hours.
- Lieutenant David Leavitt, a 24-year MNPD veteran presently assigned to the Special Events component of the Custom Services Division. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Columbia Southern University. Leavitt will become the captain over Custom Services, succeeding David Corman, who was recently appointed Commander of the West Precinct.
Those full list of those being promoted to lieutenant are:
- Sergeant Rickey Bearden, a 10-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Central Precinct. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Tennessee State University and a Master’s degree from Cumberland University.
- Sergeant Kevin Lovell, an 18-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Traffic Section. He holds an Associate’s Degree from Eastern Gateway Community College.
- Sergeant John Wheeler Jr., an 8-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the North Precinct. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Middle Tennessee State University.
Those being promoted to sergeant are:
- Detective Michael Baujan, an 8-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Youth Services Division. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Austin Peay State University.
- Detective Michael Baron, a 6-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Domestic Violence Division. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Embry-Riddle University.
- Officer Joshua Black, a 14-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Special Response Team. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Liberty University.
- Officer Cameron Brown, a 6-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Juvenile Crime Task Force. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Southeast Missouri State University.
- Detective Daniel Brown, an 8-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the West Precinct. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Austin Peay State University.
- Officer Chase Burnett, a 7-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the North Precinct. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Cumberland University and a Master’s Degree from Tennessee State University.
- Officer Justin Coker, a 12-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Training Division.
- Officer Byron DeWalt, a 9-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Madison Precinct. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Tennessee State University.
- Detective Jason Door, a 7-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Domestic Violence Division. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Ferris State University.
- Officer Shaun Heath, a 9-year MNPD veteran presently assigned to the West Precinct.
- Detective Deniz Ismailovic, a 14-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Central Precinct. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Lambuth University.
- Detective Daniel Johnson, a 9-year MNPD veteran presently assigned to the Hermitage Precinct. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Tennessee Tech University.
- Detective Brett Kenney, an 11-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Youth Services Division. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Memphis.
- Detective Joshua Lefler, a 6-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the East Precinct. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska.
- Officer Erik Nash, a 14-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the East Precinct. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Tennessee.
- Officer John Patton, an 8-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the South Precinct. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Lindenwood University.
- Officer Catherine Poole, a 6-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Custom Services Division. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Middle Tennessee State University.
- Detective Rachael Reese, a 6-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Specialized Investigations Division. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Austin Peay State University.
- Detective Barry Scarbrough, an 8-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the West Precinct.
- Officer Paul Stein, a 5-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Traffic Section. He holds an Associate’s Degree from Seminole State College.
- Officer Jessica Ware, a 6–year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Madison Precinct. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Francis Marion University.
- Officer Eric Westbrook, a 6-year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the Midtown Hills Precinct. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Illinois University.
- Detective Matthew White, a 6–year MNPD veteran who is presently assigned to the West Precinct. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Kentucky University.
Assignments for the new lieutenants and sergeants, who will be filling primarily precinct supervisory vacancies, will be finalized next week.