CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Police Chief Al Ansley spoke to the Kiwanis Club of Clarksville on the morning of April 14, beggining by saying that the Clarksville Police Department (CPD) “is a transparent department,” which he endeavors to operate with integrity.
He spoke about the structure of the department, noting its three districts used to hold commanders accountable, help with allocation of resources and provide quicker responses and better service to the community. CPD uses paperless reporting and also offers a paid service through CrimeReports, a website citizens can use to check the crime in their area.
Ansley also mentioned that the department is currently working on its third accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), which analyzes its standards and policies in areas such as their use of force and pursuit. CPD has a no pursuit policy, meaning that officers will only chase violent felons. Ansley believes this to be “a good practice” because it helps CPD to avoid potential lawsuits. The department currently has no active or internal lawsuits.
Talking about Clarksville’s crime rate in comparison to other cities in the state of Tennessee with a population over 100,000, Ansley noted that the city has the lowest of the group, based on 2013 statistics from the TBI. He then addressed crashes and top five roadways for fatalities in the city, stating that CPD has no quotas for traffic stops, though speeding is one of the highest complaint generators, especially in those areas. CPD now uses a device called SpeedSpy to collect data from vehicles travelling roadways to determine where resources should be moved.
On the subject of homicides and recent shootings, he said that they are not always gang related, contrary to public opinion. “We have a gang problem in Clarksville, Tennessee. I have never denied that, but what we need to do is document these gang members properly, and we’re doing that.” CPD has a homicide closure rate of about 85 percent.
Ansley also mentioned CPD hiring practices, noting the lower number of females and minorities hired, saying, “that is not where we need to be, but we are working toward the goal of being diverse.”
Ansley concluded by noting new CPD accomplishments including a new police station set to open in October of this year, located in the north precinct near Minglewood Elementary School on Cunningham Lane. He also recognized the support CPD has received from the City Council, the Mayor Kim McMillan and Clarksville citizens.