Smithville Police Detective Matt Holmes has been granted a promotion to the rank of lieutenant.
The increase in rank will be effective July 1.
The board of aldermen voted unanimously at Monday night’s meeting to approve the change.
Police Chief Randy Caplinger brought the recommendation to promote Holmes before the council, saying that he was well prepared for a supervisory position.
“If anyone can't reach me, he is the man they call if we are going to a crime scene,” the chief said. “I use him in a lot in supervisory positions. The men have a real good rapport with Matt. He has been a very special officer for all of us.”
Caplinger said Holmes work as a detective has also been impressive.
“Since Matt has been here, if you'll go back a few years I think you'll notice how much of a change there has been in investigations and crimes that have been solved,” he said. “There has been a lot of good things done. We've really worked a good undercover drug program.”
Alderman and Police Commissioner Shawn Jacobs also said he was happy with Holmes performance.
“I'm very proud of Matt Holmes,” Jacobs said. “He came to work for us before I was even on the council. You could tell there was something special about Matt even then.
“As he was eventually promoted to detective and now receiving another department promotion tonight to lead detective, we have something to be very proud of in Matt and also Detective (Brandon) Donnell,” the commissioner continued.
“I think we have two of the best. I don't think a town this size could want anything any better than these two men and I'm just very proud of the job they do and the rapport they have with the people as well.
“They are just fine young men and I hope they become fine old men in the service of the Smithville Police Department,” Jacobs concluded.
Holmes is a graduate of DeKalb County High School, attended Tennessee Technology Center, and graduated from Walter State Community College before joining the Smithville Police Department in 2007.
He is a graduate of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation School and is certified by the 13th Judicial District Drug Task Force in drug diversion, and the Tennessee Meth Task Force.
He is certified in Child Passenger Safety, United States Department of Justice Amber Alert training and technical assistance program and Pharmaceutical Overdose Death Investigations.
He has been awarded three departmental commendations for criminal investigations and narcotics arrests.
The promotion will take effect July 1 along with the new city budget.
In other city business, the mayor and aldermen set a date to meet and discuss the new city budget in an informal workshop at the city hall on May 21 at 5:30 p.m.