The Chattanooga Police Department held its first meeting on Tuesday to implement Chief Fred Fletcher’s new RESTART initiative, a community-based working group to assist with the reform of processes regarding how officers are recruited, selected and promoted. RESTART will also provide continued oversight and guidance once the reforms are in place.
“RESTART will help us build a diverse workforce while ensuring we retain the talented officers who are currently serving Chattanooga,” said Chief Fletcher. “Community input is vital to the success of this initiative and I am proud to have leaders from all over our city participating.”
RESTART’s mission is to provide fair and equitable processes that assist the Chattanooga Police Department to:
- Recruit a diverse workforce that represents the community
- Engage the community and employment base
- Select future officers
- Transfer officers between lateral assignments
- Advance current officers through promotions
- Retain those currently employed through a team approach
The working group is comprised of the following community members and CPD employees:
Chris Ramsey Blue Cross Blue Shield
Everlena Holmes Community/Neighborhood Representative
Stacy Johnson La Paz
Gladys Pineda-Loher Chattanooga State
James Mapp NAACP
Warren Logan, Jr. Urban League
Shea Jefferson City of Chattanooga Human Resources
James McKissic Office of Multicultural Affairs
Mike Williams Chattanooga Police - Retired D/C
Sgt. Derrick Stewart Chattanooga Police Department
Sgt. Danny Jones Chattanooga Police Department
Officer Michael Newton Chattanooga Police Department
Assistant Chief Danna Vaughn Chattanooga Police Department
Officer Rob Simmons Chattanooga Police (IBPO)
Officer Sean O'Brien Chattanooga Police (FOP)
Officer Iran Meadows Chattanooga Police (NBPOA)
Kyle Miller Chattanooga Police Department
LT. Bakari Welles Chattanooga Police Department
Captain Kim Noorbergen Chattanooga Police Department
Officer Moreland Wilson Chattanooga Police Department
“Rock City Lodge #22 of the Fraternal Order of Police is both humbled and enthusiastic about the opportunity to participate in RESTART” said FOP RC#22-President Sean O’Brien. “Engaging employees in establishment of ‘best practices’ and empowering them to help shape the future of the Chattanooga Police Department is certain to propel the evolution started by Chief Fletcher and his staff.”
“The diverse population in Chattanooga has undergone a significant evolution over the years,” said Gladys Pineda-Loher, director of International Community Outreach for Chattanooga State Community College. “Being a part of RESTART will contribute to multiple community wide collaborations and help to ensure CPD’s workforce reflects Chattanooga’s cultural diversity.”
During Tuesday’s inaugural meeting, Chief Fletcher stressed the importance of this initiative for the Chattanooga Police Department and outlined goals of the committee participants, stating the priorities for RESTART are to “develop fair and equitable processes for external recruitment and hiring as well as internal transfers and promotions.”
Chief Fletcher went on to discuss the importance of mentors and the coaching for newly hired officers, stating he was confident RESTART could help CPD find ways to successfully “coach our department back into community engagement, as well as functioning as a cohesive team.”
The RESTART working group is scheduled to meet monthly and is expected to have initial findings to report by March 31, 2015.