Jackson Police Chief Thom Corley has been honored with the Excellence in Police Services award by the Tennessee Municipal League.
The award announced on July 2 recognizes Corley’s “dedicated efforts to connect with the community to provide better public safety outcomes for everyone,” according to the City of Jackson.
Since being sworn in January 2022, Corley has approached policing with his foundational “Three C’s”: community, collaborative and constitutional policing.
As new officers are sworn in, he describes this philosophy as officers being expected to maintain an active presence in the community, work as a team with their JPD colleagues, and execute their duties “the right way” and “by the book.”
“The men and women of the Jackson Police Department work hard, serve with integrity, and strive each day to make our community a place where everyone feels safe,” Corley said.
“We are so honored to have been selected to receive this award and we will continue to serve the citizens of Jackson with continued innovation, accountability and professionalism.”
From utilizing technology like ShotSpotter and Flock cameras, to keeping the community informed with Police to Citizen and the Atlas One app, JPD is routinely strategizing ways to best ensure public safety.
In February 2024, JPD swore in its first police cadet through a program catered to law enforcement training job shadowing for ages 18 to 20 with the goal of becoming a JPD officer at 21.
The result of a collaboration between JPD and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, JPD became the first department in the state to launch the cadet program, accredited by the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation program.
In October 2024, the department announced the implementation of a community-driven, five-year strategic plan aimed at establishing priorities and initiatives both internally at JPD and externally in the community.
City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger, who has routinely described the JPD as “the best police department in the state,” extended congratulations to Corley on his recognition.
“Chief Corley’s exemplary leadership of the Jackson Police Department and his unwavering dedication and service to our city are evident on a daily basis,” Conger said.
Established in 1940, the Tennessee Municipal League promotes quality of life and economic development across 345 cities in the state. Every year, TML recognizes departmental accomplishments, specific programs, overall excellence, and improvements made by cities.
Corley will be formally recognized at TML’s 85th annual conference on August 5 in Chattanooga.
Other award winners include:
- Chattanooga, Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Conservation
- Cleveland, Excellence in Economic and Community Development
- Farragut, Excellence in Innovation
- Franklin, Excellence in Fire Services
- Gatlinburg, Excellence in Municipal Governance
- Greeneville, Excellence in Parks and Recreation
- Kingsport, Excellence in Economic and Community Development
- Pulaski, Small City Progress
Sarah Best is a reporter for The Jackson Sun. To support local journalism, subscribe to the Daily Briefing here.
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