Former Clinton Police Chief Rick Scarbrough Announces Retirement from UT Law Enforcement Innovation Center

Rick Scarbrough, the former longtime chief of the Clinton Police Department, has announced his retirement as executive director of the University of Tennessee Law Enforcement Innovation Center.

Scarbrough’s final day with the center will be Friday, Sept. 4. He has led LEIC, an agency of the UT Institute for Public Service, since 2018.

“It has been an honor to lead LEIC and work alongside the law enforcement professionals who are committed every day to making their communities safer,” Scarbrough said. “I am proud of what the center has accomplished over the past eight years and grateful to the team and partners who made that work possible.”

Before joining LEIC, Scarbrough served for 16 years as Clinton’s police chief.

During his tenure at LEIC, Scarbrough expanded the center’s reach and strengthened its role in training law enforcement professionals across Tennessee and the country. His accomplishments included helping develop the Memphis Police Department’s Leadership Academy in 2023. The program recently graduated its third class.

Scarbrough also created the Law Enforcement Leadership Academy, a recently launched program designed to strengthen the leadership skills of police chiefs in Tennessee and nationwide.

UT System President Randy Boyd praised Scarbrough’s career of public service and his contributions to law enforcement.

“His commitment to strengthening law enforcement across Tennessee has made a lasting difference, and we are grateful for his service to the University of Tennessee and to our state,” Boyd said.

IPS Vice President Herb Byrd credited Scarbrough with bringing additional growth and awareness to the center during his eight years as executive director.

Municipal Technical Advisory Service Police Management Consultant David Moore will serve as interim executive director following Scarbrough’s retirement. Moore will continue his work with MTAS during the transition, and officials said LEIC’s programs and services will continue without interruption.

Moore has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience. He served with the Martin Police Department from 1989 until 2015, beginning as a dispatcher and eventually becoming police chief. He held that position from 2003 through 2015 before later joining UT Martin and MTAS.

Moore was also named a 2026 UT President’s Award winner for developing a data-informed method to help Tennessee law enforcement agencies determine appropriate staffing levels.

LEIC provides training to law enforcement professionals across the country. Its programs include the National Forensic Academy, Southeastern Leadership Academy and courses addressing forensic investigations, school safety, active-shooter response and officer decision-making.