Nashville police veteran to be presented as next Millersville police chief
A 30-year Metro Nashville Police Department veteran has been offered the job as Millersville’s next chief of police pending city commission approval.
Melvin Brown Jr., 66, became Millersville’s interim police chief after former chief Dustin Carr resigned in December.
Brown was recommended for the chief's position in a 5-0 vote by members of a search committee that included City Manager Scott Avery and Mayor Tommy Long.
Avery could have made the selection as city manager, but wants to include the city commission in the decision. The city commission is scheduled to meet March 21.
“That way it’s not my hire, but it’s our hire,” Avery said. “He has experience leading larger groups than we have (in the department). Melvin Brown has already changed the outlook of the officers.”
Brown worked in Metro from 1984 until 2014, and retired as a lieutenant, according to the department.
Millersville’s police department has 16 positions including the chief. Hiring in November drew five candidates, three who were qualified according to Avery. There were 28 applicants after Brown was appointed as the interim in mid-December.
Brown became connected to the Millersville through a police training session he conducted last fall that led to additional activity with the department, Avery said.
“The people who work here are trying to effectively and efficiently provide public service … for all the people who live here and who come through here,” Brown said. “We want to have the training and support to do it.”
Completing an evidence storage facility now underway, completing the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation Program and equipment upgrades for the department are among Brown's objectives.
Brown worked for Alcoholic Beverage Commission as a special agent in charge of the Nashville office from 2014 to 2018 after his retirement from Metro. The Navy, Army Reserve and Army National Guard veteran has Brown has also stayed active in law enforcement as a volunteer and part-time officer for multiple departments in the region.
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Will Melvin Brown be next Millersville police chief?
