Chief John Drake Announces Appointments-Promotions for 8 Senior Level MNPD Veterans

Chief John Drake this evening announced appointments and promotions that bring new senior level management roles to eight MNPD veterans effective December 1.

“These eight individuals have a wealth of law enforcement experience and share a strong commitment to the safety of Nashville through our department’s three core pillars of organizational excellence, community engagement and precision policing,” Chief Drake said. “They are talented persons who will play important roles in a police department on the move in a constantly growing Nashville.”

Deputy Chief Mike Hagar, a 32-year police department veteran and an attorney who currently oversees the Executive Services Bureau, is being appointed to the title of Assistant Chief and will have oversight of three MNPD bureaus: Executive Services, Administrative Services and Support Services. Hagar holds a Law Degree from the Nashville School of Law and a Bachelor’s Degree from MTSU.

Deputy Chief Dwayne Greene, a 22-year police department veteran who currently oversees the Community Services Bureau, is being appointed to the title of Assistant Chief and will have oversight over two bureaus: Community Services and Investigative Services. Greene holds a Master’s Degree from Cumberland University and a Bachelor’s Degree from TSU.

Inspector Virginia Carrigan, a 16-year police department veteran who currently assists in managing the Administrative Services Bureau, is being appointed to Deputy Chief and will oversee day to day operations of the Community Services Bureau, which includes the department’s eight precincts. Carrigan holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Cumberland University.

Commander Chris Gilder, a 20-year police department veteran and an attorney who is currently assigned to the Executive Services Bureau is being appointed to Deputy Chief to manage Executive Services, which includes the Office of Alternative Policing Strategies, as well as the Planning, Accreditation, and Crime Analysis components. Gilder holds a Law Degree from the Nashville School of Law and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Georgia.

Commander Keith Stephens, a 20-year police department veteran who currently oversees operations at the South Precinct is being appointed to Deputy Chief to manage the Investigative Services Bureau. Stephens succeeds Deputy Chief Mike Alexander who died of natural causes in August. Stephens holds Bachelor’s Degree from Columbia Southern University.

Commander Josh Blaisdell, a 21-year police department veteran who currently oversees operations at the Madison Precinct, is being appointed to Inspector and will assist in managing the Administrative Services Bureau, which includes Training, Recruiting, Behavioral Health Services, the Crime Laboratory, and Records. Blaisdell holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Murray State University.

Captain Brian Anderson, a 20-year police department veteran who currently oversees the Criminal Investigations Division, is being appointed to Commander over the Madison Precinct. Anderson holds a Bachelor’s Degree from MTSU.

Captain Kevin Lovell, a 21-year police department veteran who currently oversees the Domestic Violence Division, is being appointed Commander over the South Precinct. Lovell holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Bethel University.

New Domestic Violence and Criminal Investigations Division captains will be announced in the near future.