The Knoxville Police Department hired three new officers last year and are in the process of hiring a fourth. 

The department has brought on Marcus Wilkins, Matthew Eagleton, and Brad Young, and now have 15 officers on staff. The Police Department is currently in the process of adding a 16th officer, after receiving a COPS hiring grant. Knoxville Police Chief Aaron Fuller says it greatly benefits the department to be at full staff, especially when it comes to the speciality positions, and that the grant will help with that.

“The one that we’re hiring for right now, that comes from the COPS hiring grant that we were awarded. That just allows us to add a 16th officer onto the police force without having to pay for that officer the entire four years.”

Brad Young was officially brought on as the newest Knoxville Police Officer on Monday, after receiving his official oath of office at this week’s city council meeting.