Nashville police create new units to combat crime trends

On Monday, 51 current precinct-based detectives and 16 supervisors will move to newly-created centralized units under the umbrella of the Criminal Investigations Divisions.
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department(WSMV)
Published: Sep. 13, 2024 at 5:09 PM CDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Metro Nashville Police Department has announced the move to realign its current precinct-based investigation components into new units to more effectively respond to crime trends.

Chief John Drake announced this move is an effort to respond to crimes such as burglary, organized retail crime, non-domestic felony assault, and community offenses.

On Monday, 51 current precinct-based detectives and 16 supervisors will move to newly-created centralized units under the umbrella of the Criminal Investigations Divisions.

“Men and women working together in a centralized environment with a degree of specialization in their investigations will benefit residents in neighborhoods across Davidson County,” Chief Drake said. “At the same time, precinct commanders and their teams will remain plugged into the progress of investigations and emerging trends.”

Here’s a breakdown of the new units, provided by MNPD:

  • The centralized Burglary Section will consist of 12 detectives and three supervisors who will work cases countywide over two shifts and will be subject to callout. Their offices will be physically located at the North Precinct.
  • The centralized Organized Retail Crime Section will consist of 10 detectives and three supervisors and will work closely with an expanded Fraud Section consisting of seven detectives, up from five, and one supervisor. The Organized Retail Crime and Fraud Sections will be housed at the South Precinct.
  • The Non-Domestic Felony Assault Section will consist of 12 detectives and three supervisors who will work over two shifts and will be subject to callout. Their offices will be physically located at the Midtown Hills Precinct. Shooting incidents in which persons are wounded will continue to be worked by the Specialized Investigations Division’s Non-Lethal Shooting Unit.
  • The Community Crimes Investigations Section will consist of 15 detectives and five supervisors who will work on a 24-hour basis on calls including misdemeanor assaults, miscellaneous thefts, unfounded bomb threats and vandalism. The Community Crimes Section will be housed at the Madison Precinct.