The hiring process began soon after April 1 and included an open search for internal and external candidates. MTAS, The Municipal Technical Advisory Service of the University of Tennessee, held an assessment center to review and assess candidates for the position.
Greeneville City Manager Todd Smith stated, “I looked inside and outside for this position, and I found that the top four candidates were already working for us in the Greeneville Police Department. I am confident in choosing Steve Spano as our new Police Chief. He has spent a career dedicated to serving Greeneville’s citizens and works tirelessly to improve the Department. He has the strong support of police officers, other employees, and the community at-large.”
The Police Chief is responsible for not only the protection of life and property of the citizens, but also for planning, organizing, and directing all the activities of the Police Department. The Police Chief participates in budget development, records management, personnel evaluations, training, and community involvement.
Spano began working for GPD in February 1994 as an auxiliary officer. He worked for the City of Tusculum Police Department from 1995-1997 and transitioned to full-time patrol officer for the Town of Greeneville in December 1997. Since that time, he has moved up the leadership ranks starting as patrol sergeant in 2006, and later, patrol lieutenant in 2010. In 2019, he was promoted to patrol captain, and rotated to support service captain and detective captain before becoming interim police chief this year. Each of the GPD captains have been cross trained to allow for a stronger departmental leadership team.
Spano is a graduate of Greeneville High School and holds an associate degree from Walters State Community College. He has completed numerous leadership training programs including Tennessee Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, Tennessee Associates Chief of Police Level 3 Leadership, and MTAS Leadership Levels 1 and 2. He has served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA, The Fraternal Order of Police (served as chapter vice president), and the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club (served as chapter president).
Spano stated, “All of the support I have received from the community and the department in the last three months has been humbling. I’ve never wanted to work anywhere else than the Greeneville Police Department. I will work as hard as I can for our community and Greeneville.”
Spano’s swearing in at the Greene County Courthouse has not yet been set. An announcement will soon be released with that date and information.