State Agricultural Crime Investigator Sworn In

MORRISTOWN, Tenn. – Law enforcement professional and Church Hill, Tenn. native Shane Ratliff was officially sworn in recently by Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens as the state’s newest Agricultural Crime Unit investigator. Ratliff will serve an 11-county area in the Upper Cumberland and East Tennessee including Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress, Grainger, Hamblen, Morgan, Pickett, Roane, Scott and Union counties.

“We’re fortunate to have someone of Shane’s experience and education to step into this important role,” said Givens. “Rural areas have their own unique public safety challenges, and I’m pleased that we can field a team of highly qualified individuals like Shane to work with local law enforcement.”

The Agricultural Crime Unit is a specialized law enforcement program of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture that focuses on woodland arson, livestock theft, regulatory enforcement and other activities affecting rural safety. ACU investigators have statewide jurisdiction but work closely with county Sheriff’s offices and other local law enforcement agencies.

Ratliff is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and political science. He also holds a master’s degree in homeland security with a concentration in crisis management from American Military University. He received law enforcement training through the Walter State Community College Basic Police Academy.

Prior to joining the ACU, Ratliff was employed with the City of Morristown Police Department, where he performed various duties related to patrol, special response team, honor guard, fugitive apprehension, school resource and instruction. He has also served as an investigator with the Tennessee Department of Children Services’ Child Protective Services Unit.

Ratliff currently resides in Morristown with his wife Lindsey and son Ryder. He is the son of Ronald and Lyn Ratliff of Church Hill.