THP Names New Cookeville District Captain
Friday, April 27, 2012 | 06:30am
NASHVILLE --- Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons and Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Tracy Trott on Friday named R.C. Christian as the new captain of the Cookeville District.
Captain Christian is a 23 year veteran of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, beginning his career in 1989 in the Nashville District as a Road Trooper assigned to Williamson and Wilson Counties. In 1998 Christian was transferred to the Cookeville District. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2002 and supervised the daily operations in Van Buren and Bledsoe Counties. In 2006, Christian was promoted to Lieutenant and served as the Special Programs supervisor for the district. Those duties included supervision of several programs, including D.A.R.E., New Entrant, Pupil Transportation, ACES, and Safety Education.
Captain Christian is a 2006 graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. He has also completed numerous training courses throughout his career, including Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, Incident/Unified Command School, Advanced Traffic Reconstruction, and is a certified police instructor.
“Captain Christian understands the importance of this role and will bring leadership to the Cookeville District. I am confident he will help ensure the mission and duties of the THP are performed in the most professional and efficient manner,” said Colonel Trott.
In his role as a law enforcement officer, Captain Christian has been very involved in the community. He has served on the Putnam County Safer Community Task Force, the Upper Cumberland Local Emergency Planning Committee, and Upper Cumberland EPR/Department of Health Response Team. He has served as the Van Buren County Headstart – Policy Council (Male Partnership Program), and the Van Buren County Multi-Services Advisory Committee Chairman. Additionally, Christian has served as a youth basketball coach for Spencer Elementary School and the Van Buren County Youth Association, and as one of the youth directors at Spencer Church of Christ. He has been a guest speaker for several youth-related activities at various congregations and is a member of the American Association of State Troopers, the F.O.P. Lodge 44, and C.O.S.T.
Christian was raised in Spencer, Tenn. He currently resides in White County with his wife, Michelle, and three daughters.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is 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.
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