Caleb Bailey does not shy away from the word “leader.” Nor does his leader at the Knoxville Police Department (KPD), Lt. Dylan Bradley, who heads up the East District Patrol Squad.
We asked Bradley to tell us about this six-year KPD officer. “Caleb is a hard-working and dedicated officer. He puts his best foot forward every day. Our squad performs at an extremely high level, and Caleb is a big reason for that. We jokingly refer to him as a ‘Corporal,’ as he is one of the leaders of our squad. Our department and community are lucky to have him.” Note that his official rank is “officer” – not corporal.
Bailey, 27, an Our Town Hero, is a Halls, Knox County, native who grew up with his family in Grainger County, where his parents still live. He’s well-spoken, soft-spoken, and grounded in maturity beyond his years. What has six years at KPD and on the patrol beat meant to him?
“It has developed me into the person I am today. It’s making me a better leader of my family and I didn’t have those skills. I want to be a leader in our department, but in a very professional and respectful manner. It has shown me how to have empathy for some people I would not have had for them.”…