Crime Rate Improves Under Chief White's Leadership

The McKenzie Police Department was short-staffed when Ryan White became police chief in 2022. The department had 17 officers, and only nine of those officers were certified to work solo. In three years, White and McKenzie Mayor Ryan Griffin have worked in tandem to increase the department’s officer allotment to 22 personnel — all certified. The department’s growth in personnel numbers contributed to a significant drop in McKenzie’s crime rates in 2024.
The staffing needs were clear: with only nine certified officers, the department couldn’t address all crime in McKenzie. The eight uncertified personnel could assist with arrests but spent most of their time in training, which takes six months to a year.
“We would do the best we could,” said White. “We just didn’t have the manpower.”
Since 2022, the McKenzie Police Department has added three school resource officers, a dedicated drug position and an administrative sergeant for grant management. The department merged animal patrol and codes officer roles and secured new patrol vehicles through grants.
Currently, the department consists of 22 certified officers, one uncertified codes enforcement officer, five dispatchers and two K9 officers—Gotchi and Toby.
During the August city council meeting, White reported a decrease in crime statistics from 2023 to 2024, citing the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Insight database. White attributed the declining crime statistics to the city’s increased officer presence.
Cases of sex offenses and robberies decreased by 100 percent. Cases involving law enforcement officers being assaulted decreased by 66.67 percent. Burglary cases dropped 56.52 percent. Other significant reductions included domestic violence (56.14 percent), fraud (45.45 percent), motor vehicle thefts (33.33 percent), aggravated assaults (30.43 percent), and DUIs (20 percent). Notably, there were no reported hate crimes in 2024.
The only category that increased was weapon law violations, which rose by 25 percent, totaling five cases.
“I think that people are seeing that it’s safer now to be in McKenzie,” said Mayor Griffin. “Our crime rate has dropped drastically, and we’re very proud of our officers and the work that they’ve done.”
White emphasized the importance of teamwork in their success.
“We have a good team of people who do a great job,” said White. “If it weren’t for those guys, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We’ve got a lot of support and we’ve got a lot of good people.”
The McKenzie Police Department, located in McKenzie City Hall at 2470 Cedar Street, operates with three officers on patrol during each 12-hour shift, supported by the chief, chief assistant, investigators, and specialized officers during the day.