Tennessee Highway Patrol Name New Major Over Field Operations West Bureau

NASHVILLE--- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons and Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Tracy Trott today announced the promotion of James (Jim) Hutcherson to Major over the THP’s Field Operations West Bureau.

As Major, Hutcherson will oversee all road trooper operations in the patrol’s Nashville, Lawrenceburg, Jackson, and Memphis Districts. This includes approving all traffic, DUI, and seatbelt enforcement plans, and helping the captains of those districts develop other strategies to help increase public safety.

Hutcherson has served as Captain of the Nashville District since 2011. In this role, Hutcherson has implemented strong traffic safety enforcement efforts while setting goals to increase public safety in the 12-county district. The number of DUI arrests and the number of seatbelt citations have increased over the past two years in the Nashville District, while the number of traffic fatalities has decreased.  Under Hutcherson’s leadership, the Nashville District was recognized by the department as District of the Year in 2012.

“Jim is a strong and proven leader who has made the Nashville District safer. I am confident he will use that same drive to help guide our troopers throughout middle and west Tennessee as we continue to move the department forward in promoting public highway safety,” Colonel Trott said. 

Hutcherson began his career with the department as a Communications Dispatcher in 1983. He graduated from the THP Trooper Cadet School and became a State Trooper in 1986. Throughout his career with the THP, Hutcherson has risen through the ranks to Sergeant then Lieutenant, in various assignments including road supervisor, homeland security, wrecker services and criminal interdiction. He was also assigned to the department’s Research, Planning and Development Division. Hutcherson served as Administrative Lieutenant in the Nashville District prior to taking the helm as Captain.

“There is no question that Jim brings a lot of experience to the THP Command Staff. But he also brings an ability to lead others through accountability, and a commitment to help make Tennessee safer,” Commissioner Gibbons said.

A native of Dickson, Tenn., Hutcherson attended Austin Peay State University and is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. 

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (TN.Gov/safety) mission is to ensure that our state is a safe, secure place in which to live, work and travel; enforce the law with integrity; and provide customer-focused services professionally and efficiently.

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