The Gatlinburg Police Department (GPD) has named a new police chief to lead the department. The recent announcement comes as current Chief Randy Brackins is set to retire in June after 20 years in the top spot. Ronnie Barrett will be the 11th Chief in the city’s history.
Law enforcement veteran Ronnie Barrett has been named as the 11th Chief of the Gatlinburg Police Department.
City Manager Cindy Cameron Ogle announced that Captain Barrett will assume the position on Friday, June 2.Read More: https://t.co/ft6ih7eoGl pic.twitter.com/NQxROhmEFE
— City Of Gatlinburg (@GatlinburgCity) April 6, 2023
Barrett, who has been described by the department as a “law enforcement veteran” has served the citizens and visitors of Gatlinburg for 27 years with the Police Department. He will assume the position on Friday, June 2 when current Chief Randy Brackins officially retires.
Barrett holds a Bachelor’s degree from Tusculum University and has served as a Captain with the Department since 2018. In addition, he was recently one of 237 law enforcement officers across the country who was a member of the 284th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia last December. At the National Academy, Barrett underwent 10 weeks of advanced communication, leadership and fitness training, according to GPD.
“I am very grateful to the City administration for their confidence in me to be the next Chief of the Gatlinburg Police Department,” Barrett said in a statement. “Being ingrained in the Gatlinburg community, I am excited to continue my career in law enforcement by serving the citizens and visitors of the City in this new role.”
Chief Brackins is retiring with 49 years law enforcement work with the Gatlinburg Police Department under his belt. Brackins began his career in 1974 at GPD and then worked his way through the department’s ranks, serving as a Police Officer from 1975-78, Corporal from 1978-1980, Sergeant from 1980-86, and Captain from 1986-2004 before being appointed as the department’s Chief in 2004.
“I am very grateful to the City of Gatlinburg for allowing me to serve the public throughout my law enforcement career,” Brackins stated. “It has been an honor of a lifetime to lead the Department for the past 19 years.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Ronnie Barrett” by City Of Gatlinburg. Background Photo “Gatlinburg Police Department” by Gatlinburg Police Department.
