Rossie commended for work, promoted to CPD lieutenant

Collierville police officer Chris Rossie participated in the department’s Explorer Program while attending Houston High School more than a decade ago.

The mentoring he gained during that experience has paid off. Rossie’s 10-year career with the department reached a peak on Aug. 26 when he was promoted to lieutenant during a ceremony at the town’s courthouse.

The courtroom was filled with family, friends and town officials as police chief Larry Goodwin opened the ceremony with greetings and the recognition of those in attendance. He then went on to outline the process leading to Rossie’s promotion.

Candidates for the promotion were tested on their knowledge in eight areas — state and local laws, effective police supervision, criminal investigation, case law, police patrol, community policing, police department general orders and town policies. They also were given exercises in media reporting and problem solving, as well as oral interviews, written tests and personnel file reviews. Out of eight candidates, Rossie finished first in the testing process.

Rossie is a Jackson, Miss. native but moved to Tennessee as a child. He studied criminal justice at the University of Memphis, and worked part-time for both the Memphis and Collierville police departments while he was in college. He was hired as a full-time officer by the Collierville Police Department in 2005.

During his time with the Collierville Police Department, Rossie has worked in the uniform patrol division as a field training officer. He’s also given back to the Explorer Program by serving as a post advisor. In 2013, he was honored with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Memphis Crisis Intervention Team Officer of the Year award for the Collierville Police Department.