Chief of Police
Knoxville Police Department
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Paul Noel was sworn in as Knoxville’s 27th Chief of Police on June 13, 2022.
In his three years on the job, Noel has overseen progressive enhancements in four cornerstone areas – crime reduction, community partnerships, internal culture and professional development.
Noel oversaw one of the single largest reorganizations in the history of the KPD. That reorganization included the re-establishment of the Central District, which expanded the number of police districts from two to three.
In his first full year on the job, murders decreased by 35 percent and non-fatal shootings dropped 12 percent. Noel has also championed community-based violence prevention initiatives, including Project TLC. Through Project TLC, the KPD established three placed-based strategy zones for the purpose of positively impacting crime and quality of life in areas that have been disproportionately affected by gun violence.
In 2024, Noel’s second full year on the job, murders dropped another four percent while non-fatal shootings decreased by a remarkable 45 percent.
Prior to his appointment, he served the New Orleans Police Department for 25 years, retiring as a Deputy Superintendent.
Place-Based Strategies to Reduce Crime and Foster Community Connections
Sunday, October 19, 2025
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM MT