City of Alcoa Police Chief Ken Burge today announced the promotion of Officer Laura Arnold to police sergeant effective Saturday, May 27, 2007. Sgt. Arnold has the distinction of becoming the first female officer to achieve the rank of sergeant in the department. Arnold has served as a patrol officer since joining the police department in November 2002. She completed the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy in 2003 and has since attended numerous law enforcement training events.

Sgt. Arnold, along with her three children, resides in Maryville. Regarding her promotion, she stated, “I am honored to serve the citizens of Alcoa – not only as a sergeant, but also as the first female sergeant in the City’s history.”