Brian Johnson

The SPI Team enthusiastically welcomes Brian Johnson as a consulting partner. Brian joined the Metro-Nashville Police Department in 1993 and retired as deputy chief of police in 2020. In that role, as head of the Community Services Bureau, he commanded approximately 72 percent of the department’s 1,510 sworn officers and managed an annual operating budget that exceeded $94 million. Prior to that role, Brian led the former Field Operations Bureau, the Special Operations Division, and the Custom Services Division.

As deputy chief, Brian’s ability to build positive relationships across diverse segments of the community improved outreach and enabled the success of his community-based approach to justice for crime victims.

Brian also served previously as commander of the Madison Precinct. In that role, he and his team were able to draw on outstanding community support to reduce overall criminal activity by 9 percent in the first year of operation. In addition, Brian was captain of the Special Operations Division and led efforts in Aviation, K-9, Hazardous Device, Traffic, SWAT/Negotiations, Urban Search and Rescue, Drill and Ceremony, and Emergency Contingency Planning.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in management and human relations from Trevecca Nazarene University, a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Southern University, and a certificate in criminal justice education from the University of Virginia. He has attended numerous leadership training programs including the Police Executive Research Forum, FBI National Academy, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Major Cities Chiefs Association. Additionally, Brian was a member of the Leadership Nashville class of 2013.

Brian served over nine years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve and is a decorated veteran of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Desert Calm. He previously served on the Board of Directors for Nashville and the Madison-Rivergate Area Chamber of Commerce.

Brian maintains active membership in associations such as the Police Executive Research Forum, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police, FBI National Academy Associates, Leadership Nashville Alumni Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Madison-Rivergate Area Chamber of Commerce, and Delta Epsilon Tau International Honor Society.