FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RELEASE NO: 13-046
May 6, 2013
Superintendent appoints new Security Chief
Dr. Jim McIntyre, Superintendent of the Knox County Schools, has appointed Gus Paidousis as Chief of Security for the Knox County Schools.
Paidousis is currently the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Investigation Division for the Knoxville Police Department (KPD), and is expected to begin his duties with the Knox County Schools about May 20th.
A veteran of more than 30 years of service with the KPD, Paidousis has served in many positions of great responsibility within the department. Since 2002, he has also served as Deputy Chief of the Patrol Division and Deputy Chief of the Support Services division of the KPD. He was involved in the development of the department’s School Resource Officer (SRO) program and assisted in the selection and assignment of the KPD’s first SROs. A Knox County Schools alumnus, Paidousis is considered an expert on Amber Alert systems and strategies to prevent and address the abduction and exploitation of children.
Paidousis holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Law Enforcement and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Both degrees were conferred by East Tennessee State University. He has also completed study at the prestigious FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia.
“This appointment was made following a thorough process to identify a highly qualified and proven leader to oversee our school security operations,” said McIntyre. “Knox County Sheriff J.J. Jones and Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch provided exceptional insight and expertise as we assessed the candidates for this very important position within our school system. I appreciate their support and assistance in this regard.”
“We are excited for the Knox County Schools and its school security department,” said Knoxville Police Chief Rausch. “Deputy Chief Paidousis is a highly trained law enforcement professional who could oversee any major city law enforcement agency across the nation. He will take Knox County school security to a new level of professionalism.”
