New Knoxville Police Dept. deputy chief to lead investigations bureau
Police Chief Paul Noel announced Monday that Joe McHale is set to join the department as deputy chief. He will lead the KPD's Investigations Bureau, overseeing all investigative functions.
McHale is tentatively expected to officially start in late April after spending the past six years as a Senior Research Associate with the Institute for Intergovernmental Research where he specialized in violence reduction strategies. The criminal justice nonprofit awarded McHale the 2024 Chairman of the Board's Award for Excellence, their highest annual honor.
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He served as the Chief of Police in Marion, Iowa from 2016-2019 after a 25 years with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, rising to the rank of Major and East Patrol Division Commander. In 2014, his violence reduction and deterrence efforts help contribute to the city's largest reduction of homicides and the lowest total number of homicides since 1972.
'You rarely have the opportunity to hire someone with Chief McHale's depth of experience and expertise,' said Chief Noel. 'His executive leadership background, along with his recent work assisting departments across the country in implementing best practices to reduce crime and build community trust, will be invaluable and immediately elevate our department.'
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McHale will replace current Deputy Chief Tony Willis, who is set to retire in June after nearly 30 years at the department.
'I am deeply honored and excited to join the Knoxville Police Department as Deputy Chief,' McHale said. 'I am eager to serve the Knoxville community and work alongside the dedicated men and women of the KPD. My initial priority will be to engage directly with citizens and civic leaders to understand their public safety priorities. While I bring 29 years of prior law enforcement experience to the role, I recognize I am joining one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the Southeast. I am confident that together, we can build upon the KPD's already exceptional reputation and further enhance the safety and well-being of all Knoxville residents.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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