NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — After years of advocacy and the approval of a resolution by Metro Council, the Metro Nashville Police Department has revised its sexual misconduct and harassment policy.
In August 2024, the Nashville Community Review Board approved a zero-tolerance sexual misconduct policy proposal and hoped the department would adopt the policy. The MNPD repeatedly stated it already had a zero-tolerance policy in place, but in September, Metro Council approved a resolution asking the MNPD to adopt and enforce the CRB’s policy proposal.
“We owe it, as citizens of Nashville, to ensure the safety of those who risk their lives every day to keep us and our families safe,” said Greta McClain, the Founder and Director of Silent No Longer TN. “And failure to do that not only, of course, puts those officers in jeopardy, but it also puts the rest of us in danger as well.”
Silent No Longer TN — an organization of sexual assault victims, survivors and allies — has advocated for the policy proposal’s adoption for years. In a Thursday press release, Silent No Longer TN laid out the history of the zero-tolerance policy and noted that McClain had introduced the policy to the Police Policy Commission in Sept. 2020.
“The process toward this policy’s implementation has been filled with resistance,” a Thursday press release from Silent No Longer TN reads, in part.
However, Silent No Longer TN noted within the same press release that the MNPD “chose not to accept the full policy regarding oversight and accountability.” The organization called the choice “concerning, yet not surprising.” The MNPD has faced multiple allegations within the past few years, including a lawsuit for sexual harassment that resulted in a $300,000 settlement awarded in Aug. 2023 — Silent No Longer TN added the policy should have been adopted and enforced years ago.
“I had an ethical and a moral responsibility to help those victims that had come to us and to make sure that we could do everything that we could to prevent it from continuing to happen,” McClain explained.
In a shift briefing obtained by News 2, the policy change includes “the introduction of a sexual misconduct definition in the Harassment and Discrimination policy” and provides more guidance when addressing sexual harassment or discrimination complaints. Additionally, the MNPD said language was added to clarify the policy is “zero tolerance” for harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual discrimination.
The CRB also recommended a draft policy section about victims’ rights that includes resources and assistance for survivors. Metro HR extends resources and assistance information to both the victim and the respondent and will ensure information about resources is documented in investigative procedures. CRB executive director Jill Fitcheard said she recognizes the policy revision as a commitment “to fostering a safe, respectful, and equitable environment for everyone within MNPD.”
“The adoption of this policy represents a crucial step in ensuring that all members of the MNPD and our community feel protected and valued,” Fitcheard said. “We are confident that this policy, with its clear guidelines and robust enforcement mechanisms, will contribute significantly to preventing and addressing sexual misconduct and are eager to collaborate with MNPD in the implementation and ongoing evaluation of this policy to ensure its effectiveness.”
MNPD Chief John Drake said the policy was also supported by documents from the International Association of Chiefs of Police and End Violence Against Women International as well as a review from Metro’s HR department.
“We regularly review our policies and procedures and appreciate any opportunity to appropriately strengthen them, especially as it relates to prohibitions concerning harassment and sexual misconduct,” Drake added.
Nashville mayor Freddie O’Connell said in a Thursday press release he was grateful for the cooperation between the MNPD and the CRB.
“I am grateful to the leadership at MNPD for the way they’ve received and implemented the recommendations from the Community Review Board’s report and to our Departments of Law and Human Resources who reviewed the recommendations and are also strengthening broader Metro policies around harassment and discrimination,” O’Connell said. “I believe our work can always be made stronger and appreciate the proposal, review, and now implementation of changes to strengthen our existing policies and procedures.”
The policy change became effective Tuesday; Silent No Longer said the organization was made aware of the change Wednesday.
O’Connell’s press release added the CRB’s policy recommendation with respect to early warning signs of sexual harassment and discrimination has applications for Metro’s entire workforce. As of publication, Metro HR has started to take steps to incorporate early warning signs into Metro’s Sexual Harassment and Prevention training for all Metro departments.
