In November, Michael Hicks and several other officers joined the Collegedale Police Department (CPD). Hicks said he was drawn to the CPD by its reputation for its supportive community and family-friendly qualities. Hicks agreed to answer some questions about his experience as a police officer.
Hicks was born and raised in Cleveland, Tennessee, and served at Bradley County Sheriff’s Office for five years before coming to Collegedale.
Jamie Heath, a lieutenant in the special investigations division of the CPD, noted Hicks’ singing voice, sharing that Hicks has auditioned for an American singing competition and TV show, “The Voice,” three times.
When asked who or what inspired him to work in law enforcement, Hicks recalled his grandmother.
“My grandmother is my inspiration to get into law enforcement. She served for over 20 years as a juvenile probation officer, dispatcher, and ended her career as a corrections officer,” Hicks said. “She would take me to work with her, and I fell in love with it. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here today.”
During his career, Hicks has faced many difficult situations. However, he said one stands out as the most impactful. Hicks and his partner rushed to the scene of a near-drowning that could have quickly turned tragic.
“My partner and I were the first two on scene and [we] immediately began medical care to the best of our ability and training,” Hicks said. “We were able to get the child to spit out the water, and she immediately began to cry. She was lifeforced for cautionary measures, but [she] is doing well today. Had it not been for our quick response and ability to act fast, it could have been a different outcome.”
If there was one thing Hicks could change about the justice system, he said he would enforce “Joker’s Law,” a law that would make harming a law enforcement animal a class B felony. According to a petition on change.org, this law was put into motion when a K9 named Joker from Bradley County was shot in the head while pursuing a suspect, however survived.
“The one thing that I would change about the justice system, which is hopefully in the works currently with ‘Joker’s Law,’ would be stiffer penalties for a criminal inflicting harm or injuring a law enforcement K9, horse or other animal,” Hicks said. “Currently, the law makes it a theft of property for severely injuring or killing a police K9. I had the pleasure of working with Joker at Bradley, and he is one of the best K9s at the department.”
