PARC and Police Chief sign an operating agreement

By Mike Steely

For the first time in the 24-year history of the Knoxville Police Advisory and Review Committee, there is an agreement with the police department. PARC Director Tiffany Davidson and Police Chief Paul Noel have signed the understanding.

PARC reviews complaints and police actions and Davidson said it was necessary to clearly define each party’s role and expectations both have of each other.

Davidson and Noel reportedly worked together for months to iron out the details of a formal agreement. Within the multi-page “Operating Agreement” are several highlighted items.

That includes formalizing the complaint process and expands complaints submitted to PARC; establishes regular meetings between the police chief and the PARC director; streamlines access to records and information; permits PARC to observe any pre-disciplinary hearing; and adds an additional method for resolving less serious complaints through third-party mediation.

The agreement, released Thursday prior to the PARC meeting, went immediately into effect.