Knoxville Police Department Captain Sammy Shaffer graduated from the inaugural Policing Leadership Academy (PLA) in Chicago on Friday.
The PLA, hosted by the renowned University of Chicago Crime Lab, is a six-month hands-on and interactive course. The curriculum is focused on the development of mid-level, rising policing leaders, specifically those overseeing the management of police districts. The PLA culminated with a community capstone project that was presented to current and former law enforcement executives.
Shaffer, a 22-year veteran of the KPD, currently serves as the commander of the Central District, which includes downtown Knoxville, South Knoxville, Fort Sanders and the area surrounding the University of Tennessee’s campus. Prior to his promotion to Captain in October 2022, Shaffer served as the department’s Training Director.
Shaffer was one of 26 participants in the PLA from all across the country.
“I was honored to be a part of the first-ever Policing Leadership Academy,” Captain Shaffer said. “It was a first-class experience, one that has fundamentally reshaped the way I approach all aspects of my job and think about how to address the various public safety issues that arise in my district.”
The educational program was designed to increase community safety and policing fairness, and worked closely with UChicago’s sister academy, the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy.
“I really appreciate Kristen Mahoney and the entire team at the University of Chicago for allowing our department to be represented in the inaugural Policing Leadership Academy,” Chief of Police Paul Noel said. “Sammy is an emerging leader within our agency. This course, and the exposure to law enforcement executives from significantly larger jurisdictions, will help prepare him for future, expanded leadership roles.”
The PLA graduation ceremony was held on Friday afternoon on the University of Chicago campus.