TDCI Celebrates Tennessee Law Enforcement Officers During National Police Week (May 12 – 18, 2024)

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (“TDCI”), the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (“POST”), and the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (“TLETA”) recognize the commitment, dedication, and sacrifice of Tennessee law enforcement officers during National Police Week (May 12 – 18, 2024).

Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

 “This week, I ask my fellow Tennesseans to thank their local law enforcement officers for their dedication to saving lives and protecting our communities,” said TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “Governor Lee has made supporting law enforcement one of the cornerstones of his administration, and TDCI is dedicated to serving his vision in the years ahead.”

TLETA, which was created by the General Assembly in 1963 for the purpose of training state, county, and city law enforcement officers has graduated over 23,800 law enforcement officers from its Basic Police School since its founding. TLETA will be part of the $415 million campus of the Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Training Academy (MALETA) at Cockrill Bend, which will also be utilized by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST), and other law enforcement agencies. The facility’s groundbreaking was celebrated in September 2023, and its final phase of construction will begin in 2025.

“In multiple situations in the past few months, the reality of the dangers of serving as a police officer or deputy sheriff have once again been painfully apparent in our state,” said William Kain, TLETA Director and POST Executive Secretary. “The death of a law enforcement officer in the line of duty is devastating for the involved agency, the local community, and all officers across the state. Each of the 742 Tennesseans who died in the line of duty serve as an exemplar for honor, duty, and courage to those left behind.”

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