The Knoxville Police Department is climbing the ladder of leadership, promoting eleven of its officers to higher ranks within the force, a move announced in a recent ceremony at the Civic Coliseum Auditorium; the department is set to see a shift in its upper echelons, starting January 25, as reported by the official KPD website.
New lieutenants Dylan Bradley, Amy Cardona, Kristen Cox, and Nelson Hamilton are stepping up from their roles as sergeants, shining in their commitment and leadership which earned them the promotion; Bradley has been part of KPD since 2017 and recently headed the Community Engagement Response Team, while Cardona and Cox, both veterans since 2011, served in Personnel and Recruitment, and as the Chief's Executive Officer respectively, and Hamilton brings to the table over two decades of experience from field operations, Chief Noel shared his excitement on their promotions stating, "Each of these sergeants has demonstrated exceptional character, commitment and leadership," as mentioned on the Knoxville Police Department website.
Meanwhile, officers Seth Blaine, Jason Culvahouse, Gordon Johnson, Ian Pung, Mark Niethammer, Michael Spence, and Brandon Wardlaw are primed to take on the new challenges inherent to the rank of Sergeant; Blaine, a recent 2021 recruit, worked with the Co-Response Team prior to his promotion, whereas Culvahouse, with more than a quarter-century of service, was deeply involved with the community as the Homeless Liaison.
Chief Noel has full confidence in the promoted sergeants, declaring their preparation to face the forthcoming challenges head-on, "The rank of sergeant carries new challenges, and I am confident they are prepared to meet those challenges and will lead with conviction," rounding out the group are Johnson and Niethammer, KPD members since 2017, Wardlaw since 2007 and Spence, a member since 2005 and part of the founding squad of the Mounted Patrol Unit, according to a statement from the Knoxville Police Department.
