Ronal W. Serpas Becomes Metro Nashville's Sixth Chief of Police
The Metropolitan Police Department today welcomed Ronal W. Serpas as the sixth Chief of Police in the Metropolitan Government's 41-year history.
Mayor Bill Purcell administered the oath of office during a ceremony on the plaza in front of police headquarters.
Chief Serpas, 43, is a 24-year law enforcement veteran. He came to Nashville from the Washington State Patrol, which he directed for the past 2½ years. Prior to moving to Washington, Chief Serpas retired as the Assistant Superintendent of Police and the first Chief of Operations of the New Orleans Police Department, where he rose through the ranks from June 1980 to July 2001.
In remarks after his swearing-in, Chief Serpas said Nashville's violent crime rate will be coming down.
"The drug dealers, robbers and other criminals responsible for terrorizing our friends, families, children and guests will be arrested and brought to justice," Serpas said.
"Our police department will be integrated into the fabric of Nashville's
diverse communities. Police officers in neighborhoods from Bordeaux
to Bellevue to Madison.and
from Hermitage to Antioch to Joelton.will work closely with citizens
to solve problems that undermine the quality of life that is so vitally
important
to us all, and as equal partners to help us in fighting crime.
The men and women of this department want to be the best there is,
and everyone who wants to be the best has to work hard, be relentless,
and
will have a
valued place in our department.
We will always focus on what CAN BE DONE!
We will NEVER focus on what CAN'T BE DONE!
We can make a difference EVERY DAY!
We will make a difference EVERY DAY!
But it will not be done alone-it will be done with our communities and partners."
Joining Chief Serpas at today's ceremony were members of his family, including his wife Jill, daughter Allie, son Dustin, father Ronal and stepmother Donna.
Chief Serpas succeeds Chief Emmett Turner, who retired from the Metropolitan Police Department after 34 years of service last year.
Read the full text of Chief Serpas' remarks
Mayor Bill Purcell introduced Chief Ronal Serpas to the citizens
of Nashville. Behind Purcell (l-r) are Chief Serpas, Assistant Chief Judy
Bawcum, Assistant Chief Joseph Bishop, Deputy Chief Steve Anderson, Deputy
Chief Deborah Faulkner, Assistant Chief Mickey Miller, Assistant Chief Richard
Briggance and Assistant Chief Valerie Meece.
Chief Ronal Serpas is sworn-in as Nashville's new Chief of Police.
Pictured (l-r) are Chief Serpas, his wife Jill, their daughter Allie and Mayor
Bill Purcell.
Jill Serpas pins the Chief's badge onto her husband's uniform.
Chief Ronal Serpas-"We can make a difference EVERY DAY!
"We will make a difference EVERY DAY!"