Deputy Chief
Administrative Division
Deputy Chief Simerly has been with the UT Police Department for over 20 years starting as a patrol officer. During her time at UTPD, she was promoted to a Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and then Deputy Chief. As a general assignment detective, she was assigned to most sexual and domestic violence investigations for the department. She facilitated sexual and domestic violence training for the department for many years and served on the Board of Directors for the local Sexual Assault Crisis Center. As a Sergeant, she created the Community Relations Unit (CRU) focusing of proactive involvement with the University community. She has supervised numerous units at the department including the CRU, Investigations, Communications, Training, Public Information, and Administrative Affairs. Deputy Chief Simerly has served as a Rape Aggression Defense Instructor (RAD) for the department since 1995 and is currently the Region 6 Director for RAD Systems.
Deputy Chief Simerly currently serves as the division commander for Administration. Units under her command include Recruitment, Communications, Central Alarm, Lost & Found Property, Video Technology, Technology Management, Training, Quartermaster, Fleet Management, Community Relations Unit, Police Records, and Payroll & Budget. Deputy Chief Simerly is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s in Sociology, concentration in Criminal Justice and a graduate of the University of Tennessee Martin with a Master’s in Business Administration.