Deputy Commissioner | Chief of Staff Les Dolente

Deputy Commissioner | Chief of Staff Les Dolente

Les Dolente was appointed Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff of the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security in April of 2022. In this role, he oversees the daily operations within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and leads key strategic business initiatives. Dolente spearheaded initiatives to modernize Driver Services operations and improve customer service. He also secured funding to complete the Tennessee Advanced Communications Network, significantly improving communication capabilities for state and local first responders.

With over 25 years of service to the State of Tennessee, Dolente brings extensive experience in executive leadership, law enforcement, and protective operations. He began his law enforcement career with the White County Sheriff’s Office in 1998, where he was twice named Deputy of the Year. In 2004, he joined the Tennessee Highway Patrol, serving in District Six, before being selected for the Executive Protection Unit in 2005. Over the next decade, he provided close protection for Tennessee’s top elected and constitutional officers, including the Governor, First Lady, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and Attorney General. After being promoted to lead the EPU security team in 2015, he managed high-level protective details across the United States, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. He then served for three years as Executive Officer to Commissioner Jeff Long.

Dolente’s leadership extends nationally through his work with the National Governors’ Security Association (NGSA). Elected to the NGSA board in 2018, he helped shape national standards for gubernatorial security. He now serves as a NGSA Senior Advisor, offering strategic guidance to governors’ security teams nationwide.

In 2020, Dolente was honored with the Governor’s Excellence in Service Award, recognizing his innovation and excellence in public service. He has also served multiple terms as Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #44.

A strong advocate for professional development, Dolente holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security from Austin Peay State University and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Public Safety from Tennessee Tech. He is a graduate of Leadership Tennessee Class IX, the Tennessee Government Executive Institute (TGEI), and Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff & Command, where he was elected class president by his peers.

Throughout his career, Dolente has been recognized for his leadership, integrity, innovation, dedication to service, and commitment to public safety at both the state and national levels.