CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts announced on Friday the selection of Charles Tyson(“Ty”) Burdine to serve as the next Chief of Police for the City of Clarksville following a 27-year-career with CPD in various positions.
Burdine will succeed Police Chief David Crockarell, who announced his plan to retire back in September. Since July 2020, Burdine had been serving in Crockarell’s executive team as Deputy Chief of Police Operations, according to a news release from Communications Director Jimmy Settle. Now, Burdine will lead CPD at the city’s top post overseeing law enforcement.
“I am humbled and honored to have been selected as the next Chief of Police,” Burdine said, “and I am excited to continue to build upon the legacy of exceptional leadership of Chief David Crockarell and former Chief Al Ansley.”
Burdine added he looks forward to building on the progress made at CPD over the past 20 years. “This progress was no accident. Rather, it is a result of our leadership’s consistent dedication to continuous growth and improvement through prioritizing quality staffing, integrity, fairness, accountability and professionalism, which has helped improve the culture of our department and enabled us to earn trust, improve relations, and build partnerships in our community, which helps us better serve and protect it,” he said.
‘Welcoming the 18th Chief of Police’
“Strength of character, vision, and integrity are all non-negotiable traits our city needs in the new Chief of Police,” Pitts said, “and Deputy Chief Ty Burdine has all three, and more.
“The women and men of the department, and those who will come after, deserve a leader who understands the department and their needs. Again, Deputy Chief Burdine is more than ready to assume command of the department and lead us into the next season of growth.
“He and his wife, Lesley, and their daughter, Lucy Jo, are invaluable members of the city family. We look forward to serving with Chief Burdine and welcome him as the 18th Chief of Police for the City of Clarksville,” Pitts said.
City Council Special Session
The Clarksville City Council has scheduled a special session to confirm Burdine’s appointment as Chief of Police.
The special session meeting is set to take place on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 4:30 p.m. Following his confirmation, Burdine will then take the oath of office on Friday, Feb. 28.
Background with CPD
Burdine began his 27-year tenure with the Clarksville Police Department as a Patrol Officer, in July 1997, after completion of his associate’s degree in criminal justice from Walters State University, and its Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy, according to Settle.
He was promoted to Criminal Investigator in September 2001, where he served until 2007. During that time, he was selected as a member of the Tactical Unit in which he served as an Operator, Marksman, and Team Leader, until being appointed Commander of the Unit, leading it from September 2009 – October 2011. During his time with the Tactical Unit, he was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in October 2007.
Burdine was later appointed as Sergeant of the Professional Integrity Unit in January 2010, then to District Lieutenant in July 2013, and later, to Captain in June 2017 while he served as a District Captain and Captain of the Professional Integrity Unit. During this time, he completed the esteemed and intensive Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command.
Chief Burdine became Deputy Chief of Police Operations in July 2020 while completing the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy for Law Enforcement Leadership and earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia Southern University.