The Much-Anticipated Southeast Police Precinct Is Now Open!

In celebration of the MNPD's first precinct expansion in eleven years, Mayor Freddie O'Connell and Chief John Drake today cut the ribbon to signify the grand opening of the Southeast Precinct, the police department's ninth full-service facility. Officers reported for day shift roll call at the new precinct at 6 a.m. today.

The just completed 24,000 square foot building at 2467 Murfreesboro Pike will serve as the hub for police coverage of the 72.7 square miles that make up the Southeast Precinct (58.3 square miles of land and 14.4 square miles of Percy Priest Lake). The much-anticipated Southeast Precinct will cover 13.8% of Davidson County, including Antioch, in an area that has seen significant growth. Eighty-three police personnel will staff the Southeast Precinct, which will be overseen by Commander Carlos Lara, a 17-year MNPD veteran and the department's first Latino commander.

"I'm deeply grateful to Chief Drake and all of our police," said Mayor O'Connell. "This department is meeting the challenge. We're having multi-year low crime rates, thanks to targeted strategies like Chief Drake's Precision Policing approach. Opening the Southeast precinct allows us to better serve one of the fastest growing areas of our city, and residents there will find a great partner in Commander Lara."

The new precinct will fully or partially encompass nine Metro Council districts. The building includes a 1,400 square foot community room where residents can meet with each other, police officers, and council representatives as we all work toward an even safer and better Nashville.

"Partnerships between the police department, neighborhoods and businesses are tremendously important to safer communities," said Chief John Drake. "I know that Commander Lara looks forward to strengthening the bonds that we already have with many community members, and forming new relationships with residents and businesses throughout Southeast Nashville. Our core pillars of community engagement, precision policing and organizational excellence will continue to guide all that we do."

Today's opening of the Southeast Precinct caused the boundaries of the South, Hermitage and Midtown Hills Precincts to shrink, allowing those commanders to work even more closely with citizens and neighborhoods across reduced land areas.

The Southeast Precinct will also be home to the nearly 50 personnel assigned to the MNPD's Traffic Division.