5 Key Facts About The Cleveland TN Police Dept: Latest 2025 Updates, Controversies, And Achievements
The Cleveland TN Police Department (CPD) is currently navigating a period of significant operational focus and public scrutiny, balancing its status as one of Tennessee's most highly-accredited agencies with several high-profile internal and external incidents reported in late 2024 and early 2025. As of December 19, 2025, the department, led by Chief Mark Gibson, continues its commitment to public safety while actively addressing issues ranging from officer-involved shootings to internal misconduct allegations, all while maintaining its elite law enforcement standards.
The CPD serves the City of Cleveland, a principal city in the Chattanooga Metropolitan Area, and operates with a mission to enforce the law, preserve the peace, and reduce the fear of crime for its citizens. Its recent activities underscore the complex challenges faced by modern municipal police forces, from maintaining community trust through its Community Relations Unit to managing high-stakes criminal investigations and internal accountability.
Cleveland TN Police Department: Leadership and Organizational Profile
The Cleveland Police Department is a critical component of the City of Cleveland's public safety infrastructure, structured to provide continuous, 24-hour coverage to the community.
- Agency Name: Cleveland Police Department (CPD)
- Location: 100 Church Street NE, Cleveland, TN 37311
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1519, Cleveland, TN 37364-1519
- Chief of Police: Mark Gibson
- Chief Appointment Date: September 21, 2015
- Total Authorized Personnel: 105 Certified Police Officers, 11 full-time civilian employees, 1 part-time civilian employee, and 13 School Resource Officers (SROs).
- Primary Bureaus: Operations Bureau and Professional Standards Bureau.
- Key Achievement: Re-accredited for the fifth time by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), placing it in the top 3% of police departments in the state of Tennessee.
1. Elite CALEA Accreditation and Professional Standards
The Cleveland Police Department stands out in Tennessee for its rigorous adherence to professional standards, highlighted by its long-standing accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This accreditation is not a one-time award; it requires the department to continually meet hundreds of standards related to policy, procedures, management, operations, and support services.
The CPD’s recent re-accreditation marks its fifth consecutive achievement, a distinction that Mayor's office has noted places the department in the top 3% of law enforcement agencies in the state. This commitment to a national benchmark of excellence is managed through the Professional Standards Bureau, which oversees the Accreditation process, internal affairs, and the overall quality of service provided to the public. The bureau's function is vital for ensuring accountability and transparency across all CPD operations.
The Role of the Professional Standards Bureau
The Professional Standards Bureau is the backbone of the CPD’s commitment to accountability. It ensures that all officers adhere to department policies and state and federal laws. Key components under this bureau include:
- Accreditation: Maintaining CALEA compliance.
- Internal Affairs: Investigating complaints and allegations of misconduct.
- Training and Recruitment: Ensuring new recruits and veteran officers receive up-to-date and comprehensive training.
This focus on professional standards is particularly important in light of the recent controversies, as it provides a formal, established mechanism for addressing and resolving public and internal concerns.
2. Recent High-Profile Incidents and Investigations (2024-2025)
Despite its high accreditation status, the CPD has faced several significant challenges and investigations in the recent past, which have drawn attention from the public and media. These incidents highlight the ongoing complexity of law enforcement in the Bradley County area.
Officer-Involved Shootings and TBI Involvement
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has been called in to investigate at least one officer-involved shooting involving the Cleveland Police Department. TBI involvement is standard practice in Tennessee for such critical incidents, ensuring an independent and unbiased review of the use of deadly force. These investigations are crucial for maintaining public trust and determining whether the actions of the officers were justified under state law and department policy.
Internal Misconduct Allegations
The department has also grappled with internal issues, including allegations of misconduct. In one notable instance, a Cleveland police officer was placed on leave and came under investigation following a third sexual misconduct allegation. Separately, in March 2024, a former CPD officer was arrested and charged with making threats against current department personnel, necessitating an investigation by TBI agents at the request of the 10th District Attorney. These cases, while challenging, demonstrate the Professional Standards Bureau’s function in holding officers accountable, regardless of their current or former status with the department.
Inter-Agency Friction
A highly publicized incident also captured friction between the CPD and the Bradley County jail. A video surfaced showing Cleveland officers being forced to release a suspect wanted on a felony warrant because the Bradley County jail refused to take him in. This type of inter-agency dispute over booking procedures and warrant enforcement can directly impact the effectiveness of both the Operations Bureau and the Criminal Investigations Unit in processing arrests and maintaining public safety.
3. Operational Structure and Community Engagement
The CPD's operational success is rooted in its diverse structure, which includes both patrol and specialized units designed to address the specific needs of the Cleveland community. The Operations Bureau provides the core policing services, offering 24-hour coverage and utilizing units like Patrol, which is staffed by approximately 50 men and women.
Specialized Units and Divisions
To enhance its capabilities, the department is comprised of several specialized units that contribute to the overall safety and quality of life in Cleveland:
- Criminal Investigations Unit: Responsible for follow-up investigations of major crimes, including homicide, assault, and property crimes.
- Crime Analysis: Utilizes available crime data reports to identify trends, forecast hot spots, and inform the deployment strategies of the Patrol Division and the Crime Prevention Program.
- School Resource Officers (SROs): A dedicated team of 13 officers assigned to local schools to ensure student safety, act as law enforcement liaisons, and mentor youth.
- Animal Control: Addresses animal-related incidents, ensuring the safety of both citizens and animals within the city limits.
Bridging the Gap: Community Relations and Public Service
A key focus for the department is fostering strong community ties. The Community Relations Unit was specifically created to "bridge the gap" between the police and the citizens they serve. This unit is often the face of the department in non-enforcement settings, working alongside the Cleveland Police Foundation to fund youth and community outreach programs.
Furthermore, the Public Service Unit (PSU) is a volunteer program consisting of non-sworn positions. The PSU supports the department and the City of Cleveland by assisting with administrative and community-based tasks, freeing up sworn officers to focus on core law enforcement duties. This multi-faceted approach to policing demonstrates the CPD’s commitment to a collaborative model of public safety, integrating specialized services with broad community engagement.
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