Steve Lawson
Lawson took the reins of the DTF on Sept. 1, after former director Mike Hall took a job in Florida working with churches.
“A motion was made to select Steve, it was seconded and the board approved,” said District Attorney General Steve Bebb, who appointed Lawson as interim director of the DTF after Hall submitted his resignation.
Bebb also said, “If any interest in the position had been displayed from others, they would have been considered for the job as well.”
Bebb said since Lawson took over the position as interim director, he has performed well and has provided “stability in the agency.”
Bebb also said the board of directors may also consider, within the next three months, the appointment of a deputy director for the agency.
Lawson served under five Bradley County sheriffs during his career, with the most recent being former Sheriff Tim Gobble who appointed Lawson as captain over the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, which investigates crimes against persons and property.
“I want to thank the board of directors for placing their confidence in me to lead the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force,” said Lawson.
Since acting as interim director, Lawson said he has implemented a number of checks and balances within the agency.
Those checks and balances include expenditures, internal investigations, shift alignments and others.
Mandatory meetings within the agency, including agents and administration, have also been established.
“We want to be able to communicate better with each other as well as other agencies and be able to share valuable ideas and information on how to better fight the war on illegal narcotics and other drugs,” said Lawson.
Bebb said agents who work for DTF are also pleased with Lawson’s full-time appointment.
The 10th Judicial District is made up of four counties. Bradley, McMinn, Polk and Monroe counties have 18 law enforcement agencies which come together for the common cause of fighting narcotics and trafficking operations.
