Deputy Chief John Drake began his career in Nashville, Tennessee as a police officer in 1988 and continues his career with over 32 years’ experience with the same agency. In that 32 year span John served in patrol before being assigned to the Vice Narcotics Unit to investigate mid to upper level drug investigations. After serving in the narcotics unit John transferred to the Police Athletic League where he began a basketball program for youth in Nashville. The basketball program grew from 100 participants the first year to over 1300 participants in as few as four years. John also started a junior golf program which is now part of the First Tee program.

John began seeking leadership roles in 2006 and was promoted to sergeant in 2007 and assigned to the North Precinct. John next went to the Office of Professional Accountability where he investigated internal allegations against both sworn and civilian members. In 2010, John was assigned to the Hermitage Precinct as an investigative lieutenant. He oversaw investigations ranging from petit theft to homicide. After 3 years as an investigative lieutenant John was promoted to captain to serve as an overnight field captain for 6 months before being assigned to oversee the Domestic Violence Division as the first male captain to be in charge of the division. John helped start the lethality assessment program and domestic violence supplements which are still widely used today.

In 2015, John was appointed as the Central Precinct commander which is in the downtown business district of Nashville which has millions of tourists visit each year. In 2017, John was appointed to Deputy Chief of the newly created Support Services Bureau which oversees SWAT, Special Events, Field Training Officers, School Resource Officers, Fleet Operations, Building Services, Parks, Warrants and several other divisions within the police department. John holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of Public Service at Bethel University with a degree in criminal justice.

In June 2020, John was appointed to deputy Chief of the Community Services Bureau before being appointed Interim Chief of the Metro Nashville Police Department in August 2020.