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It’s been less than a year since Chad Mullins took office as the Hamblen County Sheriff, but since being sworn in Sheriff Mullins has already secured over $478,000.00 in equipment, supplies and training for the department and at no cost to the taxpayers of Hamblen County.

The funding was received through competitive grants and scholarships awarded to the HCSO.

Since taking office in September 2022, Sheriff Mullins and his team have been approved for funding from Governor Lee’s Violent Crimes Intervention Fund (VCIF) in the amount of $179,732.00 and the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Confinement Grant (ELC) in the amount of $296,350.00.

“In order for us to stay ahead of the bad guys, we desperately needed to upgrade our equipment and receive additional training,” Sheriff Mullins said.

“As a recipient of the VCIF Grant, we can now obtain much needed equipment that could not have been purchased otherwise, due to the extravagant costs.

“This equipment is going to be invaluable to our investigators, our road officers and our narcotics detectives, as well.”

With the ELC Grant, Sheriff Mullins said equipment and supplies will be purchased for the jail ranging from safety gloves, to inmate mattresses and jumpsuits, a new body scanner, a medical transport vehicle and HVAC work.

“This ELC funding is solely for confinement facilities and was awarded to us by the Tennessee Department of Health,” Sheriff Mullins said. “I’m pleased that our jail administrator, Captain Teresa Laws, was able to find out about this grant so we could apply for it. This funding will make a big difference moving forward into our new facility.”

In addition to the VCIF and ELC grants, Sheriff Mullins noted that an Elks Scholarship in the amount of $1,500.00 was awarded to cover a portion of academy costs for a deputy within the department and K9 Nexus received $500.00 toward his maintenance through an Aftermath K9 Grant.

Sheriff Mullins acknowledges and credits members of his team for their dedication and hard work in securing these needed funds. He is also very appreciative of Hamblen County Mayor Bill Brittain and his staff for their assistance.

“It takes time, energy and a lot of patience to research, write, submit and oversee grants,” Sheriff Mullins added. “I’m pleased to know I have surrounded myself with people who are willing to step up and meet the challenge, not just for the benefit of the department, but for the benefit of the whole county.”