Director David B. Rausch was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1986 and his Master of Science in Justice Administration in 2001, both from the University of Louisville. He was enlisted and served in the United States Army Military Police Corps from 1986 to 1990, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. He served for 25 years in the Knoxville Police Department, from 1993 to 2018, and served his last 7 years as Chief of Police. He also served on the department's Special Operations Squad (SWAT Team) for 10 years from 1997 to 2007. In June 2018, Governor Bill Haslam appointed Rausch to serve as the 9th Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Director Rausch is a graduate of several prestigious law enforcement and leadership training programs, including the 105th Administrative Officers Course of the Southern Police institute, the FBI 218th National Academy, the FBI Tennessee Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, the Police Executive Research Forum 40th Senior Management Institute for Police, the FBI Leadership in Counter Terrorism Course Atlantic Session, the FBI 36th National Executive Institute, the United States Secret Service Executive Protection Seminar, the United States Army War College Commandant’s National Security Program, Leadership Knoxville, and Leadership Tennessee.

Director Rausch has served in leadership roles for numerous community and professional service organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police, Leadership Knoxville, the Knoxville Change Center, the Trinity Health Foundation, the Volunteer Ministry Center Knoxville, the Knoxville Metro Drug Coalition, the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, and the University of Tennessee Law Enforcement Innovation Center.

As a law enforcement leader with more than 30 years of experience, Rausch is also a sought-after instructor on a variety of law enforcement topics for both sworn and non-sworn personnel throughout the U.S. Rausch worked with the U.S. Department of State on training Commanders from the Jamaican Constabulary Forces in Kingston, Jamaica on Tactical Responses to Terrorism. He also serves as an Adjunct Faculty member of Bethel University's College of Professional Studies Online Criminal Justice Program.

Director Rausch has served as an advisor to legislators on the local, state, and federal level, including the Governor of Tennessee, members of Congress, Senators, and Executive Staff members to the past two Presidential administrations. He has helped draft, support, pass, and defeat significant legislation at all levels of government that impact the safety of communities.

Director Rausch strives to be a servant leader and embraces the seven pillars of Servant Leadership. He desires to live as a person of character who puts people first and, as a skilled communicator and compassionate collaborator, has a keen foresight as a systems thinker who leads with moral authority.