Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch today named Brandi Carson the Co-Employee of the Year for the Knoxville Police Department. Mrs. Carson has been with the department since August 2003. 

Mrs. Carson currently serves as a Victim Services Advocate within the Special Crimes Unit of KPD. Mrs. Carson instructs the department's advocates on proper data collection for grants, thorough report supplements, and the correct procedures for requesting evidence for court proceedings. Due to her skills, she has often been called upon to train advocates of outside agencies in the Family Justice Center. 

Chief Rausch said, "As a result of her work performance, Mrs. Carson has earned the respect of her co-workers along with those from other Family Justice Center agencies. But where Mrs. Carson really shines is her dedication to the victims of domestic violence." 

Mrs. Carson discovered a systemic problem with the signing of petitions for an order of protection. The procedures resulted in a significant delay in the actual orders being signed by the Fourth Circuit Court Judge. Mrs. Carson met with court officials, explained the problem, and then provided information on the ability to use electronically filed forms. As a result of the new system, victims are granted civil protection in quicker time. 

In May, Mrs. Carson was notified of an individual who had been kidnapped by her abuser, held at gun point for hours and driven to another state before being rescued. The following day the victim along with the FBI's victim advocate met with Mrs. Carson. Mrs. Carson assisted the victim with her legal needs and obtained a show cause violation against the kidnapper. Mrs. Carson went a step further and secured individual crisis counseling for the victim due to the intense trauma the victim had suffered. 

On another occasion Mrs. Carson received a crisis call from an individual who had fled from another state and was currently in Knoxville. The victim had driven with her children to Tennessee in a rental truck full of their belongings. Mrs. Carson contacted several shelters until she was able to find a room for the family. Mrs. Carson then assisted the victim with getting her belongings put into a storage unit and the rental truck returned. She then provided transportation to the shelter. She continued to assist the family by providing bus passes for the victim and her children to transition into permanent housing outside of Knoxville. 

Chief Rausch said, "Mrs. Carson's professionalism with victims, willingness to take the initiative and positive attitude during trying times makes her an obvious choice for this honor. Congratulations on a job well done."