NASHVILLE, TN – Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall announced Monday the appointment of eight-year Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) employee Thomas Hunter Sr. as director of community relations. Hunter, most recently the career development track coordinator, is a native Nashvillian who graduated from Whites Creek High School and is an associate minister at Saint James Missionary Baptist Church. He began his career at the sheriff’s office as an offender treatment counselor.
“I am extremely pleased to make this announcement and welcome Thomas as a part of the DCSO management unit,” Hall said. “He already has a great working relationship with a variety of community groups – especially the faith community. Programming within our jails and much of the success of offenders upon release is directly related to volunteers who come in and offer services to the incarcerated. We must maintain these relationships to ensure the work of our volunteers continue.”
Those incarcerated in Davidson County jails have a wide-range of needs including parenting skills, education classes, life skills training, and alcohol and drug treatment. As government budgets have decreased, the importance of volunteers offering services has increased. Hunter understands the importance of bridging the gap between the Nashville community and DCSO jails.
“My new position with the DCSO will give me the opportunity to nurture current and new relationships through positive and informative networking experiences with clergy, jail volunteers, colleges, and other community groups,” Hunter said. “These relationships will help raise awareness of what is needed to help turn lives around; that is something we all need to work towards.”
Hunter has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Illinois State University and a bachelor’s degree in Theology from the American Baptist College. He volunteers at Woodland Hills Youth Development Center, serves on the community advisory committee for the Davidson County Juvenile Detention Center, is a member of the Urban League of Middle Tennessee, and a Jobs for Life board member.
Community groups can contact Hunter at thunter@dcso.nashville.org or 615-862-8170.
