McMinnville Police Department Facts

When Warren County was founded in 1807, it was like most rural areas of the time with law enforcement duties countywide falling mainly to the Sheriff, who doubled as the tax collector. McMinnville, being the county seat and therefore the center of commerce with the main concentration of the counties population, developed the need for an increased level of law enforcement. From that need the McMinnville Police Department began to emerge. There appears to be no official record of the formation of the McMinnville Police Department. Records show that numerous law enforcement officers were hired by city leaders, as early as, the period just after the Civil War. For example, in 1868 two “special policemen” were appointed for the town of McMinnville and served for 30 months. There were probably city law enforcement officers before the Civil War but it is unclear as many records of the period were destroyed during Union occupation of the city. Several men filled the role of city law enforcement officer in the early 1900`s, including J. H. Hutchins, H. S. Molloy, and Jackson Byars working under various titles including City Marshall, Special Policeman, City Policeman and Chief of Police. It appears, however, that E.F. Chambers was the first Chief of an actual police department. He was elected by the citizens 1931, 33 and 35. That appears to be the birth of the modern McMinnville Police Department. The department consisted of Chambers and two sworn police officers. The Chief of Police was then elected in the same manner as the mayor and alderman until the mid-1940`s, when he began to be appointed by the board of mayor and alderman. Those who have served as Police Chief include Chambers, J.M. ‘Jap Bain’, Eldridge Youngblood, Lon Parish, ‘Fats’ Hendrix, A.E. ‘Doc’ Grissom, Bill Beliew, Herman Mitchell, ‘Red’ Jared, Charlie Reeves, Ralph Griffith, Herb Graeser, Bobby Southard, Dickie Kesey, Joe Melton and Charlie Sewell.

If you are stopped

Recently, across the country, there have been several tragic incidents resulting from contact between citizens and police officers. The McMinnville Police Department is concerned and would like to avoid having these types of situations occur in our city. For this reason, we offer this information to help citizens better understand what to expect from police officers if they are stopped and/or questioned. A familiarization with law enforcement concerns and practices will help avert needless confrontation or misunderstandings.

While there are no specific guidelines for citizens in handling contacts with police, the following advice is beneficial. [We are not offering legal advice.] The goals of the police department are to improve police-community relations and to have contacts and interviews resolved without unnecessary conflict or injury to either the officer or the citizen. This information will hopefully help to minimize your stress and anxiety during your contact with the police and at the same time give you some insight into the concerns and procedures of the officers.

• As soon as you notice the police emergency lights, pull your vehicle over to the right immediately.
• Although you might not know the reason, you should pull over right away.
• You may have committed some minor traffic violation without realizing it.
• There may be some problem with your vehicle of which you are unaware.

• Remain in your vehicle while the officer approaches.
• Do not attempt to get out of your vehicle or approach the officer.
• Exiting your vehicle does not assist the officer and may be perceived as a threat.
• For the officer’s safety and yours, remain in your vehicle.

• Turn on your interior light if stopped at night.
• A lit vehicle cabin will reduce the officer’s concern regarding weapons or other possible threats within your reach.

• Keep your hands easily observable, preferably on the steering wheel, where they can be easily seen by the approaching officer.
• Reaching under your seat or into your glove box are actions that will cause the officer concern that you may be reaching for a weapon.
• Give your license, registration and proof-of-insurance to the officer if asked to do so.
• Tennessee law requires a driver to turn over this information upon request by a uniformed officer or an officer in plain clothes who displays proper identification.
• Most officers will not provide specific reason(s) for the stop until they have received your license, registration and proof-of-insurance. This is to avoid debating the reason for the stop prior to acquiring this necessary information.

• If you wish to inquire as to why you were stopped or offer an explanation, do so before the officer returns to his or her vehicle.
• Answer all questions honestly. Information pertaining to prior arrests or traffic violations is easily verified via the police dispatcher.
• Touching or threatening a police officer or acting in a disorderly manner could result in the filing of additional charges against you and you will be arrested.
• If the officer asks you to step out of you vehicle, do so without any sudden or threatening movements.
• Give the officer approximately 2 1/2 –3 feet of “personal” space as a safety zone to do his or her job.
• Remain in your vehicle at all times unless told to do otherwise.
• Do no become argumentative, disorderly or abusive. If an officer has already written a ticket, it cannot be voided at any time. If you believe that you have been unfairly treated, DO NOT make that argument on the side of the road. Your best alternative is to carry your protest to Traffic Court.

Whether an officer issues a ticket or gives you a warning is entirely up to their individual discretion. Your conduct during the stop may influence the officer’s decision.

Most citizens already realize that law enforcement is a difficult and dangerous profession. Hundreds of police officers are killed each year, and thousands more are injured and assaulted. They place a great deal of emphasis on officer safety and survival. Certain safety practices are instilled in our officers from the first day of their careers. Although the procedures maximize safety for the officer, they may seem standoffish, impolite or offensive to citizens who may not consider such precautions necessary with “them”. Even though you have no intention of doing the officer harm, he or she will probably maintain a defensive posture until the officer feels that there is no risk of confrontation or injury. As far as police officers are concerned, there is no such things as a “routine” traffic stop. Every stop has the potential for danger.

Innocent individuals are often offended or angered, or both, because an officer has detained them for questioning. Although the delay might be inconvenient to you, the officer believes there is a reason (reasonable suspicion) to stop you and ask questions. Most of these stops are not officer-initiated. The most common reasons that cause an officer to stop someone are as follows:

• You might be one of only a few people walking around in the vicinity of a crime that has recently occurred.
• Your clothing might be similar or identical to that worn by the perpetrator of a crime.
• Someone may have called the police complaining about your presence or that you looked “suspicious”.
• Someone may have pointed you out to the officer.
• You might be acting in a manner that the officer considers “suspicious” and you may act even more “suspicious” after realizing that the officer is observing you.

The police officer does not wish to detain you any longer than necessary. Once the officer is able to determine that you are not the individual that he or she is looking for, the officer will often apologize for the inconvenience and then quickly leave to resume the search.

• Avoid making sudden movements (for your wallet, into your coat, toward your waistband, etc.) until you have informed the officer of your intention to do so and the officer has said it’s okay.
• Do not carry weapons (real or otherwise) or even joke about having a weapon on your person.
• Do not touch the police officer or violate his or her “person” safety zone (2 ˝-3 feet).
• Remain calm and avoid being argumentative. (If you are uncooperative and refuse to answer reasonable questions, the officer is likely to become more suspicious and the encounter will probably last much longer than necessary).
• Comply first, then, you may seek an explanation from the officer or the officer’s supervisor later.

There are times when citizens who have contact with the police come away with feelings of frustration or dissatisfaction. The McMinnville Police Department does not condone police misconduct of any type. In our experience, we have learned that those negative feelings are often a result in not knowing the reason(s) an officer has made certain requests or acted in a certain manner. Unfortunately, demands on a patrol officer do not always permit time for explanations at the time you are stopped. Hopefully, the information presented here will give you an understanding of police procedures and let you know what to expect from a police officer if you are stopped.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a waiting period before I can report someone missing?

No. You may make a missing person report whenever you realize that someone is missing. Entry into NCIC ( National Crime Information Center) is regulated, however.

Can I make a report anytime of the day or do I need an appointment?

The police department will respond 24/7 to any requests for police service.

Can I make a police report over the phone or does a police officer have to come to my home?

Unless an extreme circumstance exists a report should be made to an officer, in person. Cases will be looked at on a case by case basis.

If someone has abandoned a vehicle on my property or parking lot can the police tow it away?

The police department can only tow cars that that have been abandoned on public property. You may call a wrecker service of your choice to tow the car away.

How can I find if someone is in jail, when someone can be visited, or any other information about inmates?

The McMinnville Police Department does not operate the jail. For information call the Warren County Sheriffs Department at (931) 473-7863.

My friend is overdue returning home. How can I find out if they were involved in an accident?

The dispatchers do not have names of persons involved in accidents. The names are not available until reports are turned in. If an injured person is unable to call for themselves, the police will notify their family.

I do not have transportation and I have somewhere to go. Can the police give me a ride?

No. Police officers do not provide rides.

I need to get a message to someone who doesn’t have a phone. Can the police department go to the persons house and deliver the message?

The police department can only deliver emergency or death messages.

My family and I are going on Vacation. Can the police keep an eye on our home while we are gone?

You can call 668-7000 to have an extra patrol assigned to your home. While the department does not have the manpower to watch 24 hours a day, officers in that zone will be assigned to check your property as their call loads permit.

We have a problem with speeders and other traffic violators in our neighborhood. What can I do about it?

Call the Police Department at (931) 473-3808

Can I report a drunk driver from my cell phone?

Yes. Calls to 911 are free. Do not try to stop the offender or place yourself in danger. When you call, you will be asked a description of the car, location, and direction of travel.

Why do the dispatchers ask so many questions when I call?

Dispatchers are trained to try to get as much information as possible to determine the nature of the call and its seriousness.

How can I apply for a position with the McMinnville Police Department?

You may call the local office of Tennessee Labor and Workforce Development at (931) 473-2153. Applications are only accepted when a position is open.