About TACP
The Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police was created August 12, 1970 by a group of founding fathers serving as Chiefs of Police. Meetings held June 24th and 25th lead to the development of the Articles of Incorporation and were appropriately filed and granted a charter by the Secretary of State of Tennessee. The founding members are provided below:
Founding Chiefs
- Chief Henry Lux, Memphis Police Department
- Chief Hubert Kemp, Nashville Police Department
- Chief Eugene McGovern, Chattanooga Police Department
- Chief Joe Fowler, Knoxville Police Department
- Chief William Chambliss, Murfreesboro Police Department
- Chief Harvey Marcum, Jackson Police Department
- Chief Bobby Williamson, Dyersburg Police Department
- Chief Bill Bilyeu, Cookeville Police Department
- Chief Harry Huskisson, Knoxville Police Department
- Chief Hugh Wells, Greenville Police Department
- Chief Ted Vettel, Oak Ridge Police Department
- Chief Harry N. Hammondtree, Alcoa Police Department
- Chief Don Moncier, Millington Police Department
- Assistant Chief Ralph Deal, Kingsport Police Department
- Assistant Chief W.E. Routt, Memphis Police Department
- Assistant Chief William Barton, Nashville Police Department
- Assistant Chief Ralph Vance, Murfreesboro Police Department
- Assistant Chief John Blackburn, Brownsville Police Department
- Chief Roy Parham, East Ridge Police Department
- Chief William St. John, Nashville Police Department
- Chief John R. Bluford, Maryville Police Department
- Chief Charles Vaden, Clarksville Police Department
- Chief Tip Bowden, Paris Police Department
- Chief Walter H. Goney, Algood Police Department
- Chief Doyle C. Freeman, Milan Police Department
- Chief Rayford H. Commers, Winchester Police Department
- Chief W.S. Maddox, Germantown Police Department
- Chief Mack C. Godsey, Bristol Police Department
- Chief Wayne J. Robinson, Lebanon Police Department
- Chief C.H. Hancock, Springfield Police Department
- Chief Darrell Bull, Brownsville Police Department
- Chief James B. Brazier, Gallatin Police Department
Formed after being summons to the state capitol by the General Assembly to gain the law enforcement perspective on implementing the recommendations of the 1967 Johnson Commission, the founders focused on three areas of development, including leadership training, public safety policy and minimum standards for hiring law enforcement officers in Tennessee. Within a year, the voices of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police were heard and Tennessee adopted by statue the minimum standards for hiring law enforcement officers, forever changing law enforcement in Tennessee. Over the next 50 plus years, the TACP membership has continued to follow the intent of the founding fathers of the Association through leadership growth and development, as well as promoting sound public safety policy to make secure the communities served from Bristol to Memphis.
Today more than 1,000 members make up the Association today, making it the largest law enforcement leadership organization in Tennessee. A key founding principle of the Association is service to members; and, through a wide range of programs and partnership the TACP continues to provide the premier training for leadership, policy development through accreditation, public safety strategies and community engagement. Members can earn over 40 hours annually of POST approved training to advance their skills and competencies, as well as gain access to latest developments in research and changes throughout the United States. The TACP is a known leader in law enforcement and is actively engaged through its membership at the local, state and national level.