Three Men Looking to Become Next Smithville Police Chief

Three people, Randy Caplinger of Smithville, Larry D. Parsley of Lenoir City, and Kenneth D. Smith of Watertown have applied for the position of Smithville Police Chief.
Noon today (Friday) was the deadline for persons to apply.
Caplinger is a retired Lieutenant Colonel/Major of the Tennessee Department of Safety/Tennessee Highway Patrol. Parsley is a retired Lieutenant of the Tennessee Department of Safety/Tennessee Highway Patrol. Smith is currently serving as Chief of Police of the Lakewood Police Department at Old Hickory, Tennessee.
Smithville Police Commissioner/Alderman Aaron Meeks told WJLE Friday afternoon that the mayor and aldermen would most likely conduct a workshop soon to interview the applicants individually. No date has yet been set for such workshop.
Each of the applicants submitted resumes with their applications.
Caplinger, since October 2006, has been Transportation/Safety Director for Kitchen Craft of Smithville, where he is responsible for all safety training of approximately 190 employees.
From 2003 to 2006, Caplinger served as Lieutenant Colonel/Major for the Tennessee Department of Safety, where he was in charge of officers in all Tennessee counties including support staff. A total of 322 employees.
Caplinger, who completed officer training at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy in 1976, began his career with the Tennessee Department of Safety as a trooper/officer and served in that position for eight years followed by a seven year stint as a THP sergeant and four years as lieutenant. He later became Captain of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, in charge of all officers in 14 Tennessee counties. Caplinger held that post for eight years before becoming Lieutenant Colonel/Major.
Caplinger received administration and management training from the University of Tennessee and the University of Phoenix Academy.
Parsley, a 1966 graduate of DeKalb County High School, was in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1973. He joined the Tennessee Highway Patrol in 1973 and worked as a state trooper in the Knoxville area until 1985, when he became a THP sergeant, supervising three to four counties and ten to fifteen troopers. In 1990, Parsley was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, a position he held until 2003. During those years, he was Trooper Supervisor over three counties, supervising ten to fifteen troopers and two sergeants. Parsley was also UT Football Security Detail Supervisor and bodyguard for then coach Phil Fulmer.
For two years, from 2007 to January, 2009, Parsley was the Assistant Superintendent of Construction for EMJ Corporation in Chattanooga, in charge of time and manpower scheduling, safety and OSHA reporting, and work performance monitoring.
In 1975, Parsley attended Walters State Community College in Morristown where he earned credit hours toward his associate’s degree. In 1977, he attended East Tennessee State University at Johnson City where he earned credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree; criminal justice major.
Parsley was the Knoxville area Optimist Club Trooper of the Year in 1983 and 1984.
Smith, a certified officer and Tennessee state training instructor, is currently Chief of Police for the Lakewood Police Department in Old Hickory, Tennessee, where his duties include managing the daily functions of the department, conducting training for officers, establishing department budgets, etc.
From 1986 to 2006, Smith was employed as a lieutenant patrol officer, supervisor, and police officer for the Lebanon City Police Department, where he managed training of staff for more than 80 officers.
He joined the Mount Juliet City Police Department in 2006 as a field training officer, and police officer, positions he held until 2008 when he became chief of the Lakewood Police Department.
Smith received his high school education at Mount Juliet High School from 1978 to 1982. He completed officer training at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy in 1986.
Smith was named the 2005 Lebanon Police Department Officer of the Year. He also received the 2005 Life Saving Award for a vehicular crash on Interstate 40 and the 2009 Tuition Grant Award from the Tennessee Chief’s Association.