About the Department

The Gatlinburg Police Department is committed to maintain a safe and comfortable quality of life for all citizens and visitors of Gatlinburg through excellent Law Enforcement Service.

The Police Department has 60 employees and is comprised of four Divisions - Administration, Patrol, Investigations and Communications/Jail. Each division of the department is responsible for specific duties that require expert training and experience to accomplish the goals of the department. The department services an area of 10.1 square miles with an overnight average population of 65,000

Hours
The Police Department provides full law enforcement services 24 hours a day, year-round. Records, Court, and Administrative Divisions are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., except on observed holidays.

Contact Phone Numbers:

Emergency	911
Police Department/Dispatch	865-436-5181
Administrative Secretary/Records	865-436-1421
City Court Clerk	865-436-1419
Fax	865-436-7185

Physical Address
1230 East Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Mailing Address
Gatlinburg Police Department
P.O. Box 5
Gatlinburg, TN 37738-0005

Department Statistics
Sworn Officers - 45
Detectives - 4
Jailers/Dispatchers - 9
Administrative - 2
Calls For Service - 26,197 (FY2022-23)

Message from the Chief

Thank you for visiting the Gatlinburg Police Department’s website. It is our desire that this will provide current and relevant information about our department and the excellent men and women that provide police service. The information has been compiled to design a comprehensive overview of the organization. As you navigate through the information and read about our Department, it is our hope that it is apparent that we are an organization that is committed to open communication, community engagement, and searching for excellence in all that we do. Our ultimate goal and mission is to maintain a safe and comfortable quality of life for all citizens and visitors of Gatlinburg through excellent law enforcement services. We work hard to achieve these goals, and are continually looking for ways to improve our service to the community. This website is a tool which hopefully assists you in your correspondence with our department.

Our intent is to use every available mechanism, tool, or opportunity to contact citizens and community leaders in an effort to solicit their assistance to provide quality law enforcement service. So, please utilize our site to help you learn about the Gatlinburg Police Department, answer your questions, and become one of our many partners as we strive to make Gatlinburg the best place to live, work, and play. As you use the site, please do not hesitate to provide us your feedback and suggestions about how we can make this site more useful and informative.

Best Regards,

Ronnie Barrett
Chief of Police
Gatlinburg Police Department

Police Department Divisions

Administration

Patrol Division

Investigations Division

Communications Division

Jail Operations

Other Police Services

Gatlinburg Police Department History

The Gatlinburg Police Department was formed in 1945 with two police officers. Today, the department has 45 Sworn Officers, 8 Jailer/Dispatchers, and 2 Administrative Personnel.

Since 1945, the Police Department has had a change at the position of Chief of Police ten times with ten Chiefs having held the position.

The Police Department has had only one officer killed in the line of duty since 1945. Patrolman Jerry Dean Huskey was killed by an armed suspect which he was attempting to arrest on June 14th, 1975. His memorial is listed at this webpage

On October 7, 2010, the Police Department was proud to become one of the first state accredited law enforcement agencies in Sevier County. The Police Department was accredited by the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation committee in Nashville, Tennessee. The Accreditation Program is administered by the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police and is intended to encourage cooperation, recognize professional standing, encourage professional services and ensure public safety throughout the State of Tennessee. This program is a valuable and cost effective way to enhance overall agency effectiveness and professionalism

Gatlinburg Police Department Chiefs

1. Mib Horner
2. Charles Pickle
3. John P. Noland
4. Willie B. Ogle
5. Brownlee Reagan
6. Willie B. Ogle
7. H.H. Leatherwood
8. Jim Kelly
9. Harry Montgomery
10. Randall Brackins
11. Ronnie Barrett

Recruitment of New Officers

The Police Department only accepts applications for positions when a vacancy exists. If you are interested in a position with the Police Department as a Police Officer or Jailer/Dispatcher and no vacancy exists you can have your name placed on a waiting list by e-mailing the following information to GPD@GatlinburgTN.gov. Please state “RECRUITING” in the subject line.

Name
Address
Phone Number
Position of Interest (Police Officer, Jailer/Dispatcher, or Both)

You will be notified by email when there is a vacancy.

The minimum requirements for the position of Police Officer and Jailer/Dispatcher are:

At least 21 years of age.
United States Citizen.
High School Diploma or Equivalent.
Not have been convicted of, plead guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge or any violation of Federal, State, or City laws relating to:
- Force
- Violence and Domestic Violence
- Theft
- Dishonesty
- Gambling
- Liquor or Controlled Substances
Not released from the United States armed forces other than honorably.
Pass a written examination.
Pass a physical agility/physical fitness test.
Demonstrate good moral character as determined by a background investigation.
Pass a psychological examination by a qualified professional.
Pass a medical examination and drug screen administered by a licensed physician.

City of Gatlinburg personnel rules and regulations supersede anything on these pages. The City of Gatlinburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability.