Republican Women host officers and deputies at monthly meeting

In honor of National Police Week and Law Enforcement Appreciation Month the group welcomed both Overholt and Sheriff Chad Mullins to its meeting and presented their respective organizations with a plaque for their service.

Overholt spoke before the group, giving them an insight on what transpired within the department.

He began by highlighting the strong partnership between both law enforcement agencies.

“I want you to know our team goes beyond the Morristown Police Department,” he said. “I have spent many hours with Sheriff Chad Mullins and his team working and planning to keep the community safe.”

“That’s the type of relationship law enforcement has in this community and that’s why we are so effective, because of our willingness to work together.”

Overholt, who has been the city’s chief for more than 20 years, explained the differences he’s seen over the years.

“Over the many years I have held this position violence has changed drastically,” he said. “Not just against police officers but against each other in society as well.”

“The police department has seen a rise in crime over the past two years,” he said. “The department alone last year received 5,000 more calls.”

However he explained that the department continues to protect and serve the community.

“We do more than speed enforcement and eating donuts,” he joked with the group. “We work tirelessly to maintain safety within the city.”

“Statistically speaking we are 3 and half minutes away from your crisis. That is for an emergency response such as active shooter, assault or crime in progress.”

Overholt then began to list several units within the department and how it works to protect the community.

“The department has 91 full time personnel and of that 91,” he said. “86 are sworn police officers serving in different capacities.

“Majority of our folk serve as patrol units. Those are the guys who you see every day driving throughout the community. We also have 13 personnel in our investigation unit, 7 in our narcotics vice unit and 6 administrators.

He provided a further explanation.

“Our investigation unit last year solved more than 3,000 crimes and of those cases we were able to close 2,774 of those,” he said “So those 13 people keep very busy.”

“The narcotics vice unit deals with illegal drugs, illegal sales of drugs, prostitution and extortion. Last year that unit made approximately 200 arrests. That doesn’t include that most of those arrests included several charges.”

Overholt explained the long list of people the department is tasked with serving, not only in the city but those traveling through.

“What I want you all to keep in mind when you think of the Police Department and who we serve is our Census Population has us at 30,000,” he said. “Our transit population has us at 36,000. So when we are policing, we are not just policing the people who live here but around 60,000 daily.”

“We have a major corridor transit of almost 300,000 people. We know we are a central location so people are coming here to work here, they’re coming here to do their shopping or just traveling through to get somewhere else.”

He explained that although people come from out of the city, if they need help the department will give it.

“If they have an accident or a crime is committed against them we can’t go up to them and say ‘oh you live over in Bybee then you have to go over there and report the crime,’” he said. “So keep in mind that we’re not just serving 30,000 people, but almost 300,000.”

Overholt then explained how the department is tasked with helping other cities in the case of an emergency

“The Morristown Police Department is designated as a 16 county regional response team, which is what you may think of as a SWAT team,” he said. “What that means though is if 16 surrounding counties believe they have an incident that may rise to a terrorist attack then they will call us in to assist with the situation.”

“What that did for the community was bring in a lot of state dollars that we used to train our own officers and purchase equipment that 99% of the time is used in the city.”

Following Overholt’s presentation, the group gave the two law enforcement agencies plaques to thank them for their service to the community.

“In recognition and appreciation we express our support to local law enforcement for their selfless dedication, tireless commitment and service and commitment in serving the citizens of Hamblen County,” said Jean Huntsman, Republican Women President.

The group also gave both law enforcement agencies cupcakes to take back to their officers, as thank you for their service.