If you believe in accountability within the Metro Nashville Police Department and support the implementation and enforcement of the Community Review Board’s Zero Tolerance Sexual Misconduct Policy, we need your voice. We are calling on Mayor O’Connell and Chief John Drake to take action due to the following:

In 2020 Silent No Longer began advocating for 69 MNPD employees who reported sexual assault and harassment, racial and gender bias, and retaliation. That number is now 87, which, in our opinion, either means their policy is insufficient or it is not being enforced.

Between Aug. 21st-25th twenty-eight current and former employees of the Metro Nashville Police Department responded to our new MNPD survey. Twenty-one of the respondents are sworn officers, one is a former officer, and six are civilian staff. All are female. All reported being sexually harassed, and five reported being "groped". None of them reported the incidents, citing their fear of retaliation. One civilian said a sworn employee described in graphic detail what he would do to her sexually if he had the chance. She said "I'm terrified he will look up my address and show up at my house. I now stay with different friends because I don't feel safe in my own home." The former officer said "I left because of the misogyny, harassment and complete disregard for the physical and emotional safety of female employees by Drake and the deputy and assistant chiefs. I wouldn't recommend MNPD to my worst enemy."

When asked if the department takes sexual harassment and assault seriously, 100% said "No." All believed the policy recommended by the Community Review Board should be adopted in full, but 92% said they didn't think Chief Drake would enforce the policy. All said they believe a blind review team consisting of sexual assault advocates, members of the Community Review Board, an Assistant DA and a senior sexual assault investigator is the only way to change the culture within the department.

We have also personally spoken with 30 current officers. All said sexual harassment is rampant. What concerns me most however is that 26 haven't reported the harassment because they're afraid officers who are offenders, allies of offenders or new officers trying to "fit in" won't back them up on calls. That mentality not only endangers officers, it endangers every single Nashvillians. If an officer answers a call and is injured due to no backup, the victim they are their to assist is vulnerable to serious harm. That's unacceptable in our opinion, and should be unacceptable to everyone who calls Nashville home.

With that in mind, we ask the Metro Nashville Council's Women's Caucus, Public Health and Safety Committee, Metro Council and Mayor Freddie O'Connell to seriously consider the ramifications for our city, our neighbors, and even ourselves or our loved if MNPD chooses not to adopt and enforce the CRB policy, potentially endangering ourselves and our fellow Nashvillians.

We are not anti-police. Our mission over the past four years is to protect MNPD officers and civilian employees from physical and emotional injury. Our only criticism of the department is that those in command have willfully allowed the reputation of the department to be tarnished by refusing to accept the Police Policy Commission and Mayor Cooper's request to implement the policy in 2020, allowing sexual misconduct to continue. It's our hope that the citizens of Nashville want a police department who will clearly exhibit their dedication to the manta "protect and serve" by fully embracing, implementing and enforcing the entire CRB policy. Additionally, we request Mayor O'Connell to use the authority granted to him by Sec. 5.03 of the Metro Charter to mandate the department implement and enforce the full policy immediately. 

Add your name to our letter urging the Mayor to mandate this essential policy. Let’s stand together for a safer, more transparent Nashville. Sign today and help us create meaningful change by protecting those who serve honorably and protect us and our loved ones.