Commissioner Bill Gibbons last week announced the formation of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Foundation. The General Assembly last year passed legislation authorizing the department to enter into a partnership with the independent, non-profit organization to help further the mission of the department.
The Foundation is governed by a board of 23 directors from across Tennessee who met in January in Nashville. The board selected its executive officers at the initial meeting. The officers include attorney Kurt Faires of Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel in Chattanoog. Faires is serving as the vice-president East Tennessee.
The Foundation will seek public and private funds to support the goals and objectives of the department, including law enforcement, safety education, motorist services, disaster preparedness and prevention, and marketing opportunities.
The board plans to meet quarterly in Nashville to conduct Foundation business. The Foundation requires the department to apply for funding for projects, programs, or equipment to support its mission. The board of directors has the discretion to approve or deny any requests for funding.
“As part of our top to bottom review of the department, we determined that we needed a stronger partnership with the private sector. Many law enforcement agencies have developed such strong partnerships through creation of private foundations, ranging from the NYPD in New York City to various law enforcement agencies here in Tennessee. We believe this is a great opportunity to advance the department’s mission,” Commissioner Gibbons said.
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security is to ensure that the state is a safe, secure place in which to live, work and travel; enforce the law with integrity; and provide customer-focused services. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services.
Source: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security