Chattanooga, TN – Chattanooga Police Captain Daniel Francis completed the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Policing Leadership Academy, a nationally recognized program focused on improving police leadership, reducing violent crime, and strengthening public safety. He was one of only 35 police leaders selected from across the United States, Canada, and Scotland to graduate from the five-month academy.
The program provided advanced instruction on data-driven crime reduction strategies, effective team leadership, and building stronger relationships with the communities officers serve.
Captain Francis said he was grateful for the opportunity and looked forward to applying what he learned to his work in Charlie sector, the area he oversees.
His capstone project outlined a strategy that pairs the Chattanooga Police Department with community partners and uses data to identify locations with higher levels of violent crime. The plan includes a rotating officer presence in those areas and coordinated support from other city departments to address root issues contributing to crime.
This was the fifth cohort of the Policing Leadership Academy, beginning in June and concluding with a graduation ceremony on November 13, 2025.
The program came at no cost to CPD or the City of Chattanooga. Captain Francis became the fourth CPD leader to complete the academy, joining Captain Jayevan Montgomery, Chief John Chambers, and Division Chief David Young.