One week ago today, I stood alongside Chattanooga police officers, fellow law enforcement partners, local officials, and Mayor Andy Berke to present an additional tool that will assist in our continuing efforts to combat gun violence. We worked with our law enforcement partners to create a robust and multi-layered Firearm Violence Response Strategy that will complement public safety tactics already in place. This multi-layered approach will provide our officers and partners with more tools to fight violent crime.
Our Firearm Violence Response Strategy is made up of several key components, including the establishment of a Gun Crime Network. Through innovative police ballistics technology called National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, we are building a sophisticated network to track guns used to commit violence and hold offenders accountable through a multi-jurisdictional partnership. This technology will also be another investigative tool in our tool belt that allows us to share information that is effective in closing cases.
In addition, our Firearm Violence Response Strategy highlighted the need for additional officers and structural adjustments within the department. In fact, these ideas came directly from a CPD officer -- as some of the department's best ideas do! Mayor Berke immediately committed to supporting a budget that provides the resources we need to fully staff for this strategy, adding 14 officers to the CPD roster to ensure no additional burden is placed on the officers who work hard, each and every day. These 14 new officers will be split up into newly structured units dedicated to gun and gang violence as well as rapid response teams dedicated to quick response during peak crime hours.
The Firearm Violence Response Strategy is a blueprint for how we will apprehend more individuals intent on harming others through gun violence and then gather the evidence needed to put them and keep them behind bars. I'm proud that our mayor, city officials, police force, and our city are dedicated to providing your police with whatever tools, resources, and tactics we need to get the job done. And I'm proud to come to work everyday with one mission in mind -- Keeping you, your family, and our community safe.
Thank you for letting me serve the Chattanooga community.
Regards,
Chief Fred Fletcher