Learn About Gallatin Police Department

Donald W. Bandy – Chief of Police

Chief Donald W. Bandy is currently studying for a B.S. in criminal justice at Bethel University.  He has active memberships with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 65, Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Officers Association.  Chief Bandy is also a graduate of Gallatin High School’s Class of 1985.

William Sorrells – Assistant Chief 

Assistant Chief William Sorrells began his career in law enforcement in 1983, joining the Gallatin Police Department in 1985. He has risen through the ranks of the department; in 1986 he was promoted to Field Training Officer, Sergeant in 1998, Lieutenant in 2002, Commander in 2007, and to his present position as Assistant Chief of Police in 2011.  Assistant Chief Sorrells has served the department in several capacities during his tenure with the department, including the departments bicycle patrol and SWAT team.  In 1994, Assistant Chief Sorrells was one of the founding members of the Sumner County Emergency Response Team. This team was formed to unite SWAT teams throughout the county into one unique team.  He was promoted to ERT Team Leader in 2006, and to his current position ERT Team Commander in 2009.

Assistant Chief William Sorrells has a B.A. from Trevecca Nazarene University in Management and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy 203^rd Session.  Assistant Chief Sorrells is currently studying at Aspen University for a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice.  He has active memberships with the Gallatin Noon Rotarty Club, Tennessee Chapter National Academy Associates, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 65, Tennessee Chiefs of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Bethpage Masonic Lodge #521, and Donelson Jere Baxter Lodge #197 Royal Arch Masons.

Kate Novitsky – Captain

Captain Kate Novitsky began her career in law enforcement at the Gallatin Police Department in 1992. Captain Novitsky was promoted to her current position as Lieutenant in 2011. She has previously held the ranks of Dispatcher, Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Investigator, Sergeant and Lieutenant. Lieutenant Novitsky directly oversees all of the functions of the police department and reports directly to the Assistant Chief of Police.

Captain Kate Novitsky has a B.A. from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and is a graduate of the 105th A.O.C. at the Southern Police Institute. Captain Novitsky is currently studying at Aspen University for a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. She has an active membership with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 65.

Lamar Ballard – Lieutenant

Lieutenant Lamar Ballard has worked in the field of private security, state and local law enforcement for over 22 years and has been employed by the Gallatin Police Department since 1997. Lieutenant Ballard was promoted to his current position as Lieutenant in 2004. He has previously held the ranks of Field Training Officer, Investigator and Sergeant. Lieutenant Ballard has overseen the operations in several areas of the Gallatin Police Department including Investigations, Crime Scene Unit, and Support Services, Dispatch, Training, and Crime Prevention. He currently is assigned as the lieutenant over the Criminal Investigation Division.

Lieutenant Lamar Ballard has studied at the University of Tennessee National Forensic Academy 4^th Session and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy 218^th Session. He has active memberships with the FBI National Academy Associates, Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Officers Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and Rotary International. He is also a board member of the Sumner County Anti-Drug Coalition.

Rickey Troup – Lieutenant

Lieutenant Rickey Troup began his career in law enforcement at the Gallatin Police Department in 2001. Lieutenant Troup was promoted to his current position as Lieutenant in 2008. He has previously held the ranks of Investigator and Sergeant. Lieutenant Troup has overseen the operations in several areas of the Gallatin Police Department including Information Technology, Dispatch, Training, and Crime Prevention. He currently is assigned as the lieutenant over support services.

Lieutenant Rickey Troup has studied at the University of Virginia and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy 238^th Session. Lieutenant Troup is a veteran of the United States Army, serving in the 25^th Infantry Division from 1993 to 1996. He has active memberships with the FBI National Academy Associates, Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 65.

Bill Vahldiek – Lieutenant

Lieutenant Bill Vahldiek began his career in law enforcement in 1993 and joined the Gallatin Police Department in 1998. Lieutenant Vahldiek was promoted to his current position as Lieutenant in 2011. He has previously held the ranks of Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Corporal and Sergeant. Lieutenant Vahldiek currently oversees the patrol division. He has previously overseen the operations of the training division, dispatch, and crime prevention. Lieutenant Vahldiek has also been a member of the department’s Fatal Accident Reconstruction Team since 2000.

Lieutenant Bill Vahldiek has studied at Sam Houston State University and is currently studying at Bethel University for a B.S. in Criminal Justice. He is an active member of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Officers Association, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 65, and Bethpage Masonic Lodge #521.

The Gallatin Police Department employs approximately sixty five full-time police officers who provide police services for a city of 30,250 residents according to the 2010 United States Census. The City of Gallatin covers about 31 square miles and is at the intersection of three major roads: State Highway 109, State Highway 25, and U.S. Highway 31E. On any given day, police officers can be seen throughout the City riding in police cars, patrolling on bicycles, and even patrolling on foot. The Gallatin Police Department prides itself on its dedication to reducing crime and disorder through enforcement and prevention efforts. From executing search warrants at the homes of suspected drug dealers to speaking with children about the dangers of drugs, the Gallatin Police Department works hard to make the City of Gallatin safe to live, work, and play in. We look forward to providing you with useful information to help make your lives safer and to improve the overall quality of life for the entire City of Gallatin. Within the pages of this website, you will find a lot of information about the Gallatin Police Department and the women and men who work for the Gallatin Police Department. If you have any questions and/or comments regarding the information on this website, you may contact us in the following ways:

As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all persons to liberty, equality and justice.

I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.

I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminal, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.

I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession...law enforcement.

Adopted from “Law Enforcement Code of Ethics”
Issued by the International Association of Chief’s of Police