Superintendent appoints new Security Chief

Gus Paidousis New KCS Chief of Security

Dr. Jim McIntyre, Superintendent of the Knox County Schools, has appointed Gus Paidousis as Chief of Security for the Knox County Schools.  

Paidousis is currently the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Investigation Division for the Knoxville Police Department (KPD), and is expected to begin his duties with the Knox County Schools about May 20th.  

A veteran of more than 30 years of service with the KPD, Paidousis has served in many positions of great responsibility within the department.  Since 2002, he has also served as Deputy Chief of the Patrol Division and Deputy Chief of the Support Services division of the KPD.  He was involved in the development of the department’s School Resource Officer (SRO) program and assisted in the selection and assignment of the KPD’s first SROs.  A Knox County Schools alumnus, Paidousis is considered an expert on Amber Alert systems and strategies to prevent and address the abduction and exploitation of children.

Paidousis holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Law Enforcement and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.  Both degrees were conferred by East Tennessee State University.   He has also completed study at the prestigious FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia.

“This appointment was made following a thorough process to identify a highly qualified and proven leader to oversee our school security operations,” said McIntyre.  “Knox County Sheriff J.J. Jones and Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch provided exceptional insight and expertise as we assessed the candidates for this very important position within our school system.  I appreciate their support and assistance in this regard.”

“We are excited for the Knox County Schools and its school security department,” said Knoxville Police Chief Rausch.  “Deputy Chief Paidousis is a highly trained law enforcement professional who could oversee any major city law enforcement agency across the nation.  He will take Knox County school security to a new level of professionalism.”  



TIP411: Anonymous Texting program

Knox County Schools and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office share an anonymous texting program in middle and high schools. This allows students, parents, or employees to report situations in the schools that may make them unsafe or uncomfortable. The program is anonymous and the person sending the text will not be known. The TIP411 system has the capability for the call taker to engage the “texter” in an on-line conversation. The call taker will attempt to gain information and in-site regarding the nature of the text. This also allows the call taker to be a referral service for “texter’s” needing other type assistance.

 

All legitimate tips will be responded to as soon as possible. The tip line is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by either authorized security personnel or sheriff department employees. The TIP411 information is also shared with schools having Knoxville Police Department officers assigned. All necessary information is shared between school security, sheriffs and police details working within the schools.

 

To use the TIP411 system someone merely texts the number 487411, keyword: knoxschools, then space and start the message. In many cases, the call taker will respond back within a couple of minutes trying to establish contact with texter for any further information they feel necessary. Remember all tips are anonymous so texters should feel free to respond to the call taker.

 

Knox County Schools will continue to look for ways to increase the safety of our schools. We feel this is one way we can use a technology that our students feel comfortable using to further that goal. As always, the Knox County Schools Security Department can be reached day or night using 594-3624.