Chief John Drake today announced the promotions of three MNPD veterans as part of a command realignment effective Friday impacting the department's patrol and community outreach missions.

Inspector Dayton Wheeler, who currently serves as the Executive Officer in the Chief of Police Bureau, is being appointed Deputy Chief over the Community Services Bureau and will oversee all nine precincts and the D-Detail flex team. Wheeler will be a direct report to Chief Drake, who is committed to increasing officer numbers throughout the precincts as academy classes graduate, noting that the patrol function is the backbone of any police department. Wheeler is a 16-year MNPD veteran and holds a Bachelor's Degree from MTSU.

Commander Michael Buchanan, who currently oversees the multi-faceted Specialized Investigations Division (SID), is being appointed Inspector over the Community Services Bureau and will assist Wheeler. Buchanan is a 17-year MNPD veteran and holds a Bachelor's Degree from Bethel University.

Lieutenant Chris Dickerson, a 9-year MNPD veteran, is being promoted to captain and will be over the Specialized Investigations Division. Dickerson presently oversees the Security Threat Section of SID. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Rhode Island and a Master's Degree from Cumberland University.

Building on the importance of community engagement, one of the police department's core pillars, a new bureau, Community Safety & Partnerships, is being created and will be led by Deputy Chief Virginia Carrigan. The Community Safety & Partnerships Bureau will include the department's Quality of Life Teams, Police Activities League, Office of Community Outreach & Partnerships, Partners in Care, Group Violence Intervention, the Alternative Police Reporting program, and oversight of Metro Parks Police.

Assistant Chief Dwayne Greene will oversee the Community Safety & Partnerships and Investigative Services Bureaus.

Assistant Chief Mike Hagar will continue overseeing the Support Services, Executive Services and Administrative Services Bureaus.

Deputy Chief Wheeler will oversee the Community Services Bureau, including all nine precincts and the Specialized Investigations Division.

Deputy Chief Greg Blair will continue overseeing the Crime Control Strategies Bureau.