Knoxville — Knoxville's first female police chief is busy transitioning to her new job.
Eve Thomas started the job June 25.
"It’s been really great to see support that I have, both internal and external," Thomas said. "All the men and women of the Knoxville Police Department, the command staff--and even from the community. I’ve had people out in the community that are just really excited for me. And that really helps create just a synergy to work with as far as moving forward in our relationships with the community. So it’s been really exciting.”
ORIGINAL STORY: KPD Deputy Chief Eve Thomas sworn in to become Knoxville's first female police chief
Her goals include connecting with the community, and encouraging community policing.
"I really want to see all of our communities in Knoxville take ownership of their communities," Thomas said. "And we'll help with that, but when an element comes in that that community doesn't want there, they actually force them out through peer pressure, and say we won't have that here, that's not allowed in our community."
She says she's proud Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero selected her as chief.
"I really appreciate Mayor Rogero saying that she didn't promote me just because I'm a female, but because I was able to do the job. And I was qualified to do the job," Thomas said. "I want people to see, you can be whatever you want."
She plans to fight violent crime.
"I'm definitely not going to reduce the size of the Violence Reduction Team because they're making an impact," Thomas said. "Everyday, they're taking weapons, drugs off the street and serving warrants on dangerous people who are in our communities."
Thomas says she wants to take care of her fellow police officers.
She says it's important that you're happy where you work, and she plans on making sure the officers have time with their families, so they can give it their best on the job.
She says former Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch left her in a good position.
"I can’t thank him enough for that," Thomas said. "He has moved forward relationships with the community, getting to know people and working with, you know, local churches local organizations, neighborhood watches, I am really just building on that. He’s already laid that great foundation for me."
Her biggest challenges include fighting the opioid crisis.
"It’s a big problem, and we’re going to have to tackle it in some way," Thomas said. "I know we have an Overdose Death Task Force -- we are trying to work backwards from someone who overdoses, and arrest the person who sold them the drug, and charge them with second degree murder. So the DA’s office, the DEA, and us are in on that trying to work that angle as well. But that’s not going to solve it—it’s just another tool."
Thomas says she has a lot of work to do, but she's willing to listen and to connect with the community to help everyone be safer.