Arrests Made in “Pellet Gun” Incidents

Spring Hill, TN – On June 14th officers responded to the area of Via Francisco Way and Maleventum Way in the Benevento subdivision to a report that a 15-year-old female was struck by a pellet gun. A 16-year-old male and a 14-year-old male were identified as suspects and charged with assault in Williamson County Juvenile Court.

On June 16th officers responded to a 44-year-old victim who was struck in the head by a projectile from a pellet gun while he was driving his vehicle. This incident happened in the area of Duplex Road and Hurt Road. This morning (June 18th) two 16-year-old males, one from Spring Hill and one from Franklin were charged with aggravated assault in Williamson County Juvenile Court in connection with this incident.

The preliminary investigation to this point has revealed that juveniles have been using “Orbeez” guns that shoot gel projectiles (gel blasters). Some are shooting these guns from car to car at each other, while others shoot at pedestrians. In other cases BB/pellet guns have been used by juveniles and persons walking/driving have been hit.

Parents, if your child has these styles of guns, please monitor their activity especially if they leave the house with them. This investigation is ongoing and more arrests may be coming. This is not a game or social media “challenge.” This is a crime, and you will be prosecuted if you are caught.

SHPD Officers Complete Police Motorcycle Training Course

Spring Hill, TN – Officers Robert Gurley and Lance Dorman recently graduated from the 80-hour Police Basic Motorcycle course hosted by the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office. The Department currently has two Harley-Davidson Road King motorcycles with five officers certified to ride them. Congratulations to you both!

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Walmart Shoplifting Investigation

Spring Hill, TN – SHPD detectives are working to identify the above person who allegedly shoplifted from Walmart. If you can identify this person, please contact Detective Tiller at jtiller@springhilltn.org or submit an anonymous tip here.

Report # 2024000668

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SHPD Attempting To Identify Person Who Stole Packages From Porches

Unidentified Subject

Spring Hill, TN – SHPD detectives are working to identify the person responsible for stealing two packages from Fiona Way and Sassafras Court residences. The alleged person who took the items at both locations is pictured above along with the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle is a Honda Fit. The subject was carrying an Aldi bag and wearing Nike shoes. If you have information about these investigations, please contact Detective Tiller at jtiller@springhilltn.org or submit an anonymous tip here.

Case #: 2024000754 and 755

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SHPD Captain Graduates From the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University

Captain Justin Whitwell

Spring Hill, TN – The Spring Hill Police Department is pleased to announce the recent graduation of Captain Justin Whitwell from the School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) at Northwestern University. Captain Whitwell has successfully completed the (22) week Staff and Command program held in Evanston, Illinois from September 11, 2023 – February 25, 2024. This program, which was implemented by the Center for Public Safety in 1983, has graduated over 21,000 students both nationally and internationally. Captain Whitwell was a student in SPSC Class #558 which accommodated a total of 24 students for the twenty-two week period.

The School of Police Staff and Command provides upper-level college instruction in a total of twenty-seven core blocks of instruction and additional optional blocks during each session. The major topics of study include: Leadership, Human Resources, Employee Relations, Organizational Behavior, Applied Statistics, Planning and Policy Development, Budgeting and Resource Allocation.

Each student is academically challenged through written examinations, projects, presentations and quizzes in addition to a staff study paper that are all required parts of the curriculum. Upon successful completion, students may be awarded a total of 6 units of undergraduate credit from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

The Center for Public Safety was established at Northwestern University in 1936 with the specific goal of expanding university-based education and training for the Law Enforcement Community. Since its inception, the Center has broadened its original objective and now provides a variety of courses and programs in the area of Police Training, Management Training, and Executive Development.

Captain Whitwell is currently assigned to the Field Operations Division overseeing the department’s patrol and traffic units. Captain Whitwell is a 20-year veteran of the SHPD.

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March 29th Shoplifting From Walmart

Unidentified Subject

Spring Hill, TN – SHPD detectives are investigating an alleged shoplifting on March 29th at the Spring Hill Walmart. The subject pictured above took $1100 worth of merchandise without paying and left in a black Nissan sedan. This subject and another subject have allegedly shoplifted from four other middle Tennessee Walmart stores. If you can identify this person or have information concerning this investigation, please contact Det. Tiller at jtiller@springhilltn.org or submit an anonymous tip here.

Report # 24000464

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2025 National Police Week

Spring Hill, TN – In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

The following officers from Tennessee will be added to the Law Enforcement Memorial:

In total, 148 officers lost their lives in the line of duty in 2024. 345 names will be added to the Memorial in 2025. If you would like to learn more about National Police Week, please follow this link.

SHPD Corporal Jeremy McLaren’s name was engraved in the Memorial in 2011 after he lost his life on February 7th, 2010.

SHPD INCREASES SEAT BELT ENFORCEMENT DURING NATIONAL “CLICK IT OR TICKET” MOBILIZATION

Spring Hill, TN – As summer kicks off and families hit the road for vacation, the Spring Hill Police Department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) to remind motorists to Click It or Ticket. From May 20 through June 2, participating agencies across the state will increase seat belt enforcement as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) nationwide mobilization.

One focus of the Click It or Ticket campaign is nighttime enforcement. NHTSA data shows a higher number of unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities happen at night. Also, seat belt use differs among females and males. According to Tennessee’s Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN), 43% of males killed in Tennessee crashes last year were unrestrained. Of females killed in crashes, 35% were not buckled up. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night.

For more information about seat belt safety, visit www.tntrafficsafety.org/seat-belts

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$12K Worth Of Material Stolen From Construction Site

Spring Hill, TN – SHPD detectives are investigating a theft of $12,000 worth of material from a construction site in the area of Old Port Royal Rd. On April 28th at around 5 PM an older model white van with a rusted roof, carrying a trailer allegedly was involved with the theft. If you have information about this theft, please contact Detetective Stefani Gillam at sgillam@springhilltn.org or submit an anonymous tip here.

(UPDATED) SHPD Taking Applications For 2024 Citizens Police Academy

May 17th update- We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, our 2024 Citizen’s Police Academy program has been canceled.  However, we are excited to announce that the program will resume in September 2025 at our new headquarters facility.  Further details about the 2025 program schedule, requirements, and application process for new applicants will be provided in early 2025 on our Facebook page.  All current applicants for the 2024 program will be given priority admission for the 2025 academy class when you reapply (please reference this when you apply).  

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition period.  Our team is working diligently to ensure the 2025 Citizen’s Police Academy provides an exceptional educational experience in our new modern facility.  Thank you for your continued interest.  We look forward to welcoming you to the Citizen’s Police 2025 Academy.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.

Spring Hill, TN – The SHPD is currently taking applications for the 2024 session of the Citizens Police Academy (CPA). The CPA is an excellent opportunity to learn about your local police department and what goes on behind the scenes. The academy will cover topics such as the use of force, patrol operations, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, firearms training, and more.

The CPA is open to all individuals 21 years of age or older and reside or work within the municipal city limits of Spring Hill. Persons may apply outside of the municipal city limits; however, precedence will be given to those within the municipal city limits.

For more information, please get in touch with Officer Michael Stewart at mstewart@springhilltn.org. Apply online for the CPA here.