The Chattanooga Police Department announced that Lieutenant Joe Shaw has graduated from the National Public Safety Innovation Academy (NIA), an intensive eight-week executive-level program designed for leaders in law enforcement and corrections.
The NIA provides a future-focused approach to traditional leadership training, led by nationally recognized subject matter experts. The academy focuses on both current challenges and future trends in public safety and criminal justice.
Some key topics include predictive analytics, trauma awareness, mental illness, and recruitment and retention strategies.
Lieutenant Shaw, a 23-year veteran of CPD, currently serves as Director of Community Development and Recruitment. Throughout his career, he has served in multiple units including Neighborhood Policing, Homicide, Missing Persons and Juvenile Crimes, Property Crimes, Internal Affairs, and Training.
“To me, Lieutenant Joe Shaw was an obvious candidate to represent CPD at this select executive-level academy,” said CPD Chief of Police John Chambers. “He has proven himself to be a capable leader, has earned the respect of his peers, and continually prioritizes professional development to better support the officers he supervises and the Chattanooga community.”
Lieutenant Shaw was one of 24 graduates in the NIA’s fifth cohort. He is the second CPD leader to complete the program, following Lieutenant Justin Kilgore’s graduation in 2024.
“As CPD’s Director of Community Development and Recruitment, I see firsthand the importance of developing strong, forward-looking leaders,” said Lt. Joe Shaw. “The NIA gave me new perspectives to help develop the next generation of officers and build a department better prepared for the future.”
Lieutenant Shaw’s achievement reflects CPD’s commitment to supporting professional growth and leadership development at every level of the department, ensuring officers are better prepared to meet the needs of our growing community and evolving landscape of policing.