Mark Fortner
Acting Police Chief
chiefofpolice@knoxvilletn.gov
This email address is not monitored 24/7.
Mark Fortner is the Knoxville Police Department’s Assistant Chief of Police. In that role, he works directly for the Chief of Police and is the Department's second in command. Chief Fortner has been with the KPD since 1993 and has served as a patrol officer, patrol sergeant, KCDC supervisor, patrol lieutenant, Central Business District Commander and Executive Officer to the Chief of Police. Chief Fortner also served on the Special Operations Squad for over 25 years. Chief Fortner attended Bethel University where he received a B.S. in Criminal Justice.
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Please call
865-215-7000 or 911 for emergencies.
On April 28, 2022, Mark Fortner was named Acting Police Chief after the retirement of Chief Eve. M Thomas. Paul Noel has been selected as Knoxville's new Police Chief and will start his first day on the job on June 13, 2022.
NEW CHIEF OF POLICE PAUL NOEL
During his 25-plus years with the New Orleans Police Department, Paul Noel has served as Deputy Superintendent, Chief of Detectives, Chief of Field Operations, as the Leader of the Sexual Assault Special Task Force, a Commander for the Criminal Investigation Division, and more.
Noel attended Loyola University New Orleans, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. He is an avid outdoorsman, and he and his wife are proud parents of 2 children.
His first day on the job will be June 13, 2022. Mayor Kincannon has appointed KPD Deputy Chief Mark Fortner as Acting Chief, in the interim.
Click here to view the full resume of Paul Noel
FORMER CHIEF OF POLICE EVE THOMAS
Eve M. Thomas was sworn in as the 26th Chief of Police of Knoxville, Tennessee on June 21, 2018. The Knoxville Police Department (KPD) is an accredited 530 person department responsible for the protection and safety of the citizens and visitors to the city.
Chief Eve Thomas began her police career in January, 1993 with the Knoxville Police Department following a career in the retail industry. After joining the department, Thomas served as a patrol officer, field training officer and in other roles before being promoted to Sergeant in 1998. In 2005, she was promoted to Lieutenant, and then to Captain in 2011. In 2013, she was assigned to the Patrol Division as the East District Commander, and in 2015 she assumed an assignment as the Department’s Internal Affairs Unit Commander. She also served in the Criminal Investigations Division before being promoted in February 2018 to Deputy Chief.
Click here to view the full bio of Chief Eve M. Thomas
KPD PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
Chief Fortner's Public Information Officer is Scott Erland. You can reach Scott at 865-215-7210 or
serland@knoxvilletn.gov.