Victims of Gender Violence Finally Receive the Protection They Deserve

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nashville, TN - March 6, 2025 - After nearly five years of advocacy, Silent No Longer Tennessee is pleased to announce that the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) has officially agreed to adopt and enforce the Sexual Misconduct Policy in its entirety. This long-overdue decision marks a critical step toward accountability and justice for MNPD employees who have experienced sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.

The process toward this policy's implementation has been fill with resistance. On September 12, 2020, our Executive Director, Greta McClain, introduced the comprehensive Sexual Misconduct Policy to the Police Policy Commission in response to numerous allegations of sexual assault, harassment, and gender and racial discrimination within MNPD. Despite the Commission's final report recommending full adoption and enforcement of the policy, MNPD ignored the recommendation.

Two years later, on November 12, 2022, Ms. McClain presented the same policy to the Community Oversight Board, which also urged MNPD to adopt and enforce the policy. Once again, Chief John Drake refused.
During this period, nearly one hundred current and former MNPD employees reached out to Silent No Longer Tennessee with allegations of sexual misconduct, discrimination, and retaliation. Tragically, two MNPD victims took their own lives due to the trauma they endured as MNPD employees.

Since that November 2022 meeting, the Community Oversight Board-now known as the Committee Oversight Board-sought guidance from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Department of Justice, and End Violence Against Women. Their persistence led to the creation of a comprehensive policy that can now serve as a national model for law enforcement agencies.

Yesterday, March 5, 2025, we were notified that MNPD has finally agreed to adopt and enforce the Sexual Misconduct Policy in full. While we firmly believe this policy should have been embraced and implemented four years ago, we are cautiously optimistic that Chief John Drake has recognized the necessity of this crucial reform.

We extend our deepest gratitude to CRB Director Jill Fitcheard and the entire Community Review Board for their tireless commitment to justice and the safety of those who risk their lives to protect our city. Their unwavering dedication, along with the support of the Metro Nashville Council and the Metro Council Women's Caucus, played a vital role in pressuring MNPD to enact this policy.

Most importantly, we want to acknowledge our MNPD clients for their trust, patience, and courage. Though we deeply regret the suffering you have endured, your resilience has been an inspiration to all of us at Silent No Longer Tennessee. We remain committed to standing with survivors and ensuring that no one else has to endure the trauma of gender-based violence alone.

###

Silent No Longer Tennessee
315 Tampa Drive Nashville, TN 37211
contact@silentnolongertn.org
‪(615) 784-8679‬
Greta McClain

We are a grassroots organization of sexual assault victims, survivors and allies dedicated to helping those in our committees who have also been affected by sexual violence by offering unique opportunities for empowerment, and involving the entire community in the effort to end sexual violence.

This release was published on openPR.