Clarksville, TN – On May 1st, 2014, the Clarksville Police Department has named Marla Bonner Dispatch Director.
She replaced Hope Petersen, who accepted the Supervisor Position at the Robertson County 911 Center.
The Dispatch Director position plays a vital role in the emergency response process.
![Marla Bonner and Chief Al Ansley Marla Bonner and Chief Al Ansley](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Marla-Bonner-w-Chief-Al-Ansley-Promotion-480x381.jpg)
Dispatchers, also, collect necessary information to properly prepare the responding agency when dispatched to an incident.
Marla Bonner’s Bio
Marla Bonner is originally from Hannibal, MO. She has two children, Niesha Bonner and Kevin Bonner II, and one granddaughter, Amya “Mya” Coates. She worked as an E-911 Operator for Marion County, MO for five years. She took a four year hiatus from dispatch and moved to Georgia. She, later, moved to Clarksville, TN, due to her ex-husband being stationed at Fort Campbell, KY.
When the city of Clarksville decided to have its own dedicated dispatchers, she was one of the first groups of employees hired. She began working with the Clarksville Police Department on January 1st, 2004. She was promoted to a shift supervisor in May of 2004.
When the Clarksville Police Department began working on its accreditation, she was named the Dispatch Training Coordinator. She assisted in developing the current training program for dispatch, as well as, the Standing Operation Procedures.
Candidate Selection Process
Each candidate for the Dispatch Director, first, had an interview with an Oral Board. The Oral Board included Fire Chief Michael Roberts- Clarksville Fire Department, Captain Lisa Baker- Metro Nashville Emergency Communications Center, and Captain Richard Stalder- Clarksville Police Department.
The Oral Board selected six out of the eleven candidates to interview with Chief Al Ansley of the Clarksville Police Department. With the combination of Ms. Bonner’s background, experience, and the interview process, Chief Ansley selected Ms. Bonner as the Dispatch Director.