10 Year Vision for Knoxville
I'd like to see a significant decrease in violent crime and an improved quality of life for residents while simultaneously building trust and legitimacy in all sectors of our community. I fundamentally believe that police must work in partnership with community members and not create an "us vs. them" environment.
What is Knoxville's Best Kept Secret?
Jackie's Dream.
What would you do to strengthen Knoxville?
Create safe public spaces in all sectors of our City so people can live, work and raise their families. We can accomplish this by shaping our organizational culture to value systematic problem solving and community partnerships.
What is your favorite Knoxville memory?
Years ago I attended a UT football game in Neyland Stadium for the first time. I vividly remember my excitement as I joined in with the 100,000+ fans singing Rocky Top. It was an unforgettable experience.
What is your favorite book or what book is currently on your nightstand?
The Count of Monte Cristo
What is the best advice you have received from a mentor, and who was that mentor?
Meet people where they are. Getting out and interacting with community members and employees is critical. Be visible, available, listen, observe and ask questions. People need to know they are important and that their opinion matters. Past successes may be personally important to you but people care about the present and the future, not your past. Paraphrased from Retired Police Chief Ronal Serpas.
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self?
"It’s not at all that we have too short a time to live, but that we squander a great deal of it. Life is long enough, and it’s given in sufficient measure to do many great things if we spend it well. But when it’s poured down the drain of luxury and neglect, when it’s employed to no good end, we’re finally driven to see that it has passed by before we even recognized it passing. And so it is—we don’t receive a short life, we make it so.” — Seneca
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