Anthony R. Willis
Knoxville
Summary
Dynamic law enforcement leader with extensive experience at the Knoxville Police Department, excelling in gang violence reduction and policy creation. Proven track record in operational oversight and resource allocation, driving strategic initiatives that significantly enhanced community safety. Adept at data analysis and fostering collaboration across departments to achieve impactful results.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Deputy Chief Investigations Bureau
Knoxville Police Department
Knoxville
02.2024 - Current
- Leadership and oversight of all facets of various investigative units
- Coordinated and implemented agency's Gang Violence Reduction Strategy
- Represented the agency to various departments across the country relative to strategic approaches to violent crime
- Day to day operations deployments and execution of priority initiatives
- Contributed to policy creation and implementationj
Deputy Chief Field Operations Bureau
Knoxville Police Department
Knoxville
01.2023 - 02.2024
- Oversaw all aspects of patrol functions and auxiliary units
- Integrated agency Gang Violence Reduction Strategy efforts with those of city government
- Oversaw development and implementation of patrol squad scheduling
- Implemented first ever iteration of weekly shooting reviews
Captain: Criminal Investigation Division
Knoxville Police Department
Knoxville
02.2020 - 01.2023
- TN Internet Crimes Against Children Commander
- Special Crimes
- Organized Crime Unit
Captain: Patrol, East District
Knoxville Police Department
Knoxville
09.2018 - 01.2020
- Oversaw the East District in the Patrol Division
- Maintained and enhanced communication with community groups
- Developed lieutanants and sergeants on squads for succession planning
Lieutenant: Violence Reduction Team
Knoxville Police Department
Knoxville
01.2015 - 08.2018
- Oversaw plain clothes unit charged with disrupting gang activity with the objective of arresting violent offenders with charges
- Developed strategic, data-driven deployment of teams
- Led collective efforts to close businesses where consistent violent acts occurred through nuisance injunctions
Lieutenant: Repeat Offender Squad
Knoxville Police Department
Knoxville
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Led plain clothes narcotics/vice unit charged with disrupting street level narcotics distribution
- Reviewed and authorized all tactical plans for search warrants and other operations
- Maintained budget for asset acquisition
Special Operations Squad - Executive Officer
Knoxville Police Department
Knoxville
01.2000 - 01.2015
- SWAT team member:
-Executive Officer
-Entry team leader
-Containment team leader
Lieutenant: Patrol, West District
Knoxville Police Department
Knoxville
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Directed day to day operations and function of patrol squad (roughly ten officers and two sergeants)
- Implemented departmental initiatives that contributed to the operational philosophy of the agency
Sergeant: Repeat Offender Squad
Knoxville Police Department
Knoxville
01.2003 - 01.2010
- Oversight of plain clothes narcotics unit reporting to the lieutenant of the unit
- Constructed and approved tactical plans for search warrants and vice operations
- Ensured training objectives were accomplished by finding schools with high level instruction
Sergeant: Field Training Sergeant
Knoxville Police Department
Knoxville
01.2003 - 01.2010
- Oversaw squad Field Training Officers ensuring their timely compliance with Daily Observation Reports
- Served as the conduit for progress status on all candidates assigned to my squad
Sergeant: Public Information Officer
Knoxville Police Department
Knoxville
01.2003 - 01.2010
- Served as point of contact to media in the field when Public Information Officer was unavailable
- Participated in media interviews on numerous law enforcement topics
Patrol Officer II
Knoxville Police Department
Knoxville
01.2002 - 12.2002
- Served in the patrol function on various beats
- Served as a Field Training Officer
Patrol Officer I
Knoxville Police Department
Knoxville
01.2000 - 12.2000
- Served in the patrol function on various beats
- Served as a Field Training Officer
Team Leader, Continuous Treatment Team
Helen Ross McNabb Center
Knoxville
06.1991 - 01.1996
- Continuous Treatment Team
- Homeless Case Manager
- Housing Developer
Education
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
Bethel University
Tennessee07.2020
FBI National Academy Graduate -
Quantico, Virginia06.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Carson-Newman College
Jefferson City, TN05.1991
Skills
- Gang violence reduction
- Policy creation
- Data analysis
- Resource allocation
- Operational oversight
- Incident command
Certification
- Public Safety Partnership (PSP) Summit, 12/01/24
- Active Bystander for Law Enforcement (ABLE), 2024
- Violence reduction model training-Oakland, Baltimore, 2024
- Tennessee State Fall ICAC Conference, 11/01/21
- Tennessee State Spring ICAC Conference, 04/01/21
- Tennessee State Fall ICAC Conference, 11/01/20
- New ICAC Commander Training-OJJDP, 09/01/20
- National ICAC Commanders Conference, 02/01/20
- Incident Command System 400, 10/01/18
- Incident Command System 300, 10/01/18
- Incident Command System 800, 09/01/18
- Incident Command System 200, 09/01/18
- Incident Command System 100, 09/01/18
- Tennessee Gang Investigators Association Training Conference, 08/01/17
- Facebook Investigations-TRC1131, 01/01/17
- City of Knoxville Title VI training, 09/01/13
- 253rd FBI National Academy, 06/01/13
- Investigating Strangulation, 03/01/13
- Tennessee Bomb Squad and SWAT Commanders Conference, 10/01/11
- Bomb Squad/SWAT Team Leaders Conference, 10/01/10
- Advanced Supervisory Issues, 06/01/10
- Indoor Marijuana Grow Officer Safety Training, 04/01/10
- Tennessee SWAT/Bomb Team Leaders Conference, 10/01/09
- Communications Intercept Certification, 07/01/09
- Canine Tactical Operations, 04/01/09
- Drug Unit Commander, 03/01/09
- Drug & Alcohol and Harassment Awareness Workshop, 01/01/09
- Drug & Alcohol Workshop for Supervisors, 09/01/08
- Tactics, Techniques and Procedures in Use of Informants, 08/01/08
- Advanced Narcotic Investigation, 10/01/07
- Gang Investigator School (Instructor), 07/01/07
- Basic Supervisory Boot Camp, 01/01/07
- Gang Investigator School (Instructor), 08/01/06
- Armorer Certification, 04/01/06
- M26 Advanced TASER and TASER X26 Instructor, 04/01/06
- Incident Command System 700, 02/01/06
- Sub-Gun Transition Course, 09/01/04
- Basic Remote Viewing Techniques, 11/01/03
- First Line Supervisory Course, 03/01/03
- Emergency Response to Terrorism: Basic Concepts, 04/01/02
- Special Operations Squad Basic School, 05/01/00
- TIES/NCIC/NLETS QUERY Certification, 01/01/99
- Field Training and Evaluation Program, 01/01/99
- Public Information Officer Training, 08/01/97
- Instructor Development Course, 02/01/96
- Police Officer Standards and Training Certification, 02/01/96 - 07/31/96
Accomplishments
- 2005 Project Safe Neighborhood Officer of the Year
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Deputy Chief Investigations Bureau
Knoxville Police Department
02.2024 - Current
Deputy Chief Field Operations Bureau
Knoxville Police Department
01.2023 - 02.2024
Captain: Criminal Investigation Division
Knoxville Police Department
02.2020 - 01.2023
Captain: Patrol, East District
Knoxville Police Department
09.2018 - 01.2020
Lieutenant: Violence Reduction Team
Knoxville Police Department
01.2015 - 08.2018
Lieutenant: Repeat Offender Squad
Knoxville Police Department
01.2012 - 01.2015
Lieutenant: Patrol, West District
Knoxville Police Department
01.2010 - 01.2012
Sergeant: Repeat Offender Squad
Knoxville Police Department
01.2003 - 01.2010
Sergeant: Field Training Sergeant
Knoxville Police Department
01.2003 - 01.2010
Sergeant: Public Information Officer
Knoxville Police Department
01.2003 - 01.2010
Patrol Officer II
Knoxville Police Department
01.2002 - 12.2002
Special Operations Squad - Executive Officer
Knoxville Police Department
01.2000 - 01.2015
Patrol Officer I
Knoxville Police Department
01.2000 - 12.2000
Team Leader, Continuous Treatment Team
Helen Ross McNabb Center
06.1991 - 01.1996
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
Bethel University
FBI National Academy Graduate -
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Carson-Newman College
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