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Parks Police report fewer major crimes, outline recruitment and mounted-patrol developments
Summary
Parks Police Captain Greg Davis reported declines in Part I crimes so far this year, staffing levels and recruitment pipeline, the new mounted facility at Peeler Park and plans to add officers after academy training.
Captain Greg Davis, who oversees operations for the Metro Parks Police Division, presented the unit’s annual update to the Metro Board of Parks and Recreation on July 1.
Davis said the park police, with one lieutenant, three sergeants, nine officers and four trainees in the pipeline, have handled about 6,500 calls-for-service year to date. He reported 89 Part I crimes so far this year, down from 152 at the same point last year. "So far this year, we've had 89 Part I crimes, and that is down from 152 this time last year," Davis said.
Davis described recruitment activity: 421 applicants applied year to date; 247 followed up with the recruiter; about 110 were invited to civil service processing; 55 appeared for testing and 41 passed that phase. He said background investigations and the police academy mean about 10–20% complete the full pipeline. "That is just getting through that initial phase of testing," Davis said about the numbers who advanced.
The division highlighted equestrian and mounted-patrol work, including a new facility at Peeler Park and a new horse, Diesel, a Belgian-quarter cross brought in from Georgia. Davis described Diesel’s training to handle loud noises and crowds and said the mounted unit is an outreach and patrol asset for community events.
Davis also noted staffing vacancies: three sergeant slots and 16 officer slots remain open in the authorized positions. He encouraged recruitment and described efforts to prepare candidates for the physical and academy requirements. Board members asked whether recent pay increases and the new equestrian facility will help recruitment; Davis said the pay for park officers now matches Metro Police and that applications have increased but the academy attrition remains a factor.
The captain credited infrastructure improvements — lighting, gates and cameras — and collaboration with Metro Police for contributing to crime declines in park spaces. He closed by offering contact information for recruitment and volunteering to meet with interested applicants.
