Left to Right: Retiring T.L.E.T.A. Director Mark Bracy, Tennessee Department of Safety Commissioner Fred Phillips and incoming T.L.E.T.A. Director Brian Grisham at Grisham's swearing-in ceremony on Friday, April 22.

Nashville, Tennessee --- Tennessee Department of Safety Commissioner Fred Phillips has announced the appointment of Brian E. Grisham as Director of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (T.L.E.T.A.). Grisham will oversee the administration of the state's largest police academy, and will serve as Executive Secretary to the POST (Peace Officer Standards & Training) Commission. He will also be an advisor to the state Police Chiefs and Sheriffs Associations. Grisham's first day in his new position is today.

Commissioner Phillips said, "Brian Grisham has shown exceptional leadership skills during his time with the Department. His strong instructional, legal and supervisory experience makes him the perfect choice for this position."

Grisham began his career with TDOS/T.L.E.T.A. in 1980 as a supervisor of the academy campus and officer trainees. After earning a B. S. in Journalism from Middle Tennessee State University in 1984, he joined MTSU's Police Department, and was decorated six times for his service to the school.

Grisham returned to the Department of Safety in 1992 after earning a J. D. from Nashville School of Law and his law license. Since then, he has worked as a Staff Attorney and an Assistant to the Commissioner. In 1997, he was promoted to Assistant Director of T.L.E.T.A.. In that position, he has supervised instructors, curriculum and support staff, provided legal advice and conducted administrative hearings for various divisions of the Department of Safety.

Grisham succeeds T.L.E.T.A.'s current Director, Mark Bracy, who is retiring. Bracy has nearly 35 years of State service. His first post was in 1971 at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. In 1976 he joined the training staff at T.L.E.T.A. and served in that capacity until he was promoted to Assistant Director in October of 1991. He was named Director in 1994.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tn.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.