DEPUTY CHIEF OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
BROOKLYN SAWYERS BELK

Brooklyn Sawyers-Belk is the first Knoxville Police Department's Deputy Chief of Professional Standards.

In her role as the Deputy Chief of Professional Standards, Belk is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the KPD’s policies, practices, procedures and training to ensure those are consistent with nationwide best practices.

Belk is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, where she obtained a Doctor of Jurisprudence. She earned a Master of Art in History from East Tennessee State University, and received a Bachelor of Arts from Emory and Henry College.

Belk boasts a wealth of criminal justice legal experience. She is a visiting criminal and constitutional law professor at the University of Tennessee College of Law, serves on two university alumni boards, and has been adjunct professor of the year twice. Previously, Belk was a law firm partner and chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial, and most recently in-house counsel for a technology company working with law enforcement nationally.

Belk also served as a federal prosecutor for the United States Department of Justice from 2009 to 2018, including in East and Middle Tennessee. Additionally, Belk has published numerous articles in well-known publications such as Bloomberg Law, Thomas Reuters Westlaw, Law360, and Dicta. She has also delivered regional and national training and continuing education for law enforcement, attorneys, and judges.

You can reach Deputy Chief Belk at [email protected].

Click here to view the February 17, 2023 news release announcing her appointment.



Press conference announcement of Brooklyn Sawyers Belk as the new Deputy Chief of Professional Standards for KPD.