Thom Corley, a 31-year veteran of the Jackson Police Department, became the 20th Chief of Police for the Jackson Police Department during a swearing in ceremony at the Carl Perkins Civic Center, Monday.
Chief Corley previously served as second in command, where he was responsible for the Professional Standards and Integrity Unit (which oversees background investigations and hiring, as well as internal investigations and citizen complaints), Department Training, Homeland Security, Central Records, Policy Management and Accreditation, Property & Evidence (including fingerprint identification and ballistic examinations) and Uniforms & Equipment.
Corley named three policing objectives – community, collaborative and Constitutional.
“We have been engaged in for several years and we are going to continue to do,” Corley said, “I’m a firm believer Law Enforcement and policing is not just by the police officers, it can’t be done that way
it has to be something we do partner with the community – in fact, it’s going to be enhanced.”
Corley said collaborative policing will be internal and external.
“Law enforcement is a team thing, it can’t be the best investigator, best unit doing all the work within the department,” Corley said, “It’s something we are going to strive to collaborate together … externally, we are going to continue the wonderful partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the District Attorney’s office our local and state partners … we are going to bring those resources together to do a better job.”
Corley said Constitutional policing will go beyond serving and protecting.
“It is now, it has been, and it will continue to be at the Jackson Police Department – there are obviously rules and laws and court decisions that govern how law enforcement works but we are going to go beyond that,” Corley said, “… victim, suspect or witness – those constitutional rights are going to be protected by the way we police, and that’s going to be the cornerstone with the Jackson Police Department.”
Chief Corley began his law enforcement career in 1990 as a Patrol Officer assigned to Patrol Division. He has since served in various other roles within the Department, including positions as a Narcotics Investigator, Background Investigator, Internal Affairs Investigator, Hostage Negotiator, Use of Force Instructor and Legal Instructor.
Promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the Patrol Division in 1997, Chief Corley served in this capacity before becoming a Patrol Shift Commander upon his promotion to Lieutenant in 2008.
It was during his time as a Patrol Division Supervisor that Chief Corley attended law school, graduating in 2008. Chief Corley was promoted to Captain in 2009 (assuming the role of Department Legal Advisor at that time) and then to the rank of Major in 2013.
Serving as General Counsel for the Police Chief and Command Staff, Chief Corley provides legal guidance and training for all Department employees with regard to their duties as law enforcement officers. In addition, Chief Corley participates in other legal matters such as City Ordinance development, litigation defense, vendor contract reviews, and liaison with the District Attorney and City Attorney. In September 2019, he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police.
Chief Corley is a lifelong resident of Jackson, and graduated in 1986 from Jackson Central-Merry High School. Chief Corley then served in the United States Marine Corps prior to becoming a Jackson Police Department officer. He later graduated from Bethel University attaining a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Management in 1999. After attending Nashville School of Law, Chief Corley received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2008. He is a member of the Tennessee Bar, and a licensed and practicing attorney.
Chief Corley and his wife, Jamie, have two adult children; a son and a daughter. In addition to his duties at the Jackson Police Department, Chief Corley serves as Adjunct Faculty for Bethel University’s College of Professional Services teaching courses in Criminal Justice.
(PHOTO: Jamie Corley, center, holds the Bible, as her husband Thom Corley is sworn in by Judge Blake Anderson during ceremonies at the Carl Perkins Civic Center, Monday)
