Chattanooga, TN – Earlier this week, Sgt. Josh May, supervisor of the Chattanooga Police Department’s Gun Team, and Hannah Walling, director of the Victim Services Unit, represented the department at the 10th Anniversary Summit hosted by the Public Safety Partnership (PSP) in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Sgt. May led a session on best practices for managing stolen firearms recovered by officers. His presentation covered the functionality of the national database, the complexities of inter-agency collaboration, and the critical role of accountability and follow-up in gun-related cases. He emphasized how these processes ensure thorough case management, especially when firearms are linked to federal prosecutions for violent crimes.
Mrs. Walling co-led a class with two national experts on providing victim-centered, trauma-informed services. Her session shared strategies for engaging with victims compassionately while meeting their needs during investigations, offering practical approaches to enhance support and empathy.
The Chattanooga Police Department, a PSP partner since 2021, serves as an Alumni Site, helping guide other departments in implementing innovative practices. The PSP, established by the U.S. Department of Justice, provides law enforcement agencies with the tools and training necessary to combat violent crime effectively.
This collaboration underscores CPD’s commitment to adopting and promoting nation-leading practices to enhance public safety.