Revised promotion policy jump-starts diversity at Metro PD

Ends eight-year drought in minority advancement to lieutenant position

According to this article in the Tennessean, a new promotion system in the Metro Police Department is leading to greater diversity in the higher ranks.

"Two men became the first black officers promoted to lieutenant in eight years, under a new system some minority officers hoped would improve diversity in the Metro Police Department's upper ranks."

"Although there are minority officers serving in higher ranks, none had been promoted from sergeant to lieutenant in the past eight years, according to department records. The policy change allowed Chief Ronal Serpas to pick from a band of seven top-scoring candidates. Instead of strictly following test-score rankings to fill 11 open slots, he examined each candidate's work history and sought input from all the department's deputy chiefs and captains about their work in the field, Metro police spokesman Don Aaron said."