After more than five hours of testimony from nine candidates and their supporters Tuesday on Tennessee’s Capitol Hill, a state commission nominated three finalists to succeed retiring TBI director Mark Gwyn.
Deputy TBI Director Jason Locke received votes from all five of the commissioners while the other two finalists included Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch and former Bradley County Sheriff and Secret Service agent Tim Gobble.
Now it’s up to Governor Bill Haslam to appoint one of them to a contract that would begin on July 1 of this year.
The governor could also ask for a new slate of candidates from the nominating commission.
All of the candidates received questions ranging from the TBI’s independence, staffing and DNA testing backups at its crime lab.
No matter what happens, Locke will have a new role at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday when he becomes acting TBI director until the governor’s selection.
TBI Director Finalists Sent to Governor
May 16, 2018 | 5:00 AM