Command Staff

Assistant Chief Toby Sabie has dedicated more than three decades to public service and law enforcement, with a career defined by leadership, professionalism, and a strong commitment to community engagement. A 1987 graduate of Cheatham County High School, Toby began his public service career with the Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency while pursuing his college education part-time.

In 1995, Toby began his law enforcement career with the Springfield Police Department. He joined the Portland Police Department in 2003 and has since served in a wide range of roles, including Dispatcher, Police Officer, Corporal, Field Training Officer, FTO Coordinator, Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Community Affairs Lieutenant, and Assistant Police Chief. This diverse experience has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of police operations, leadership, and community-focused policing. Throughout his career, he has received numerous letters of commendation recognizing his proactive and dedicated service.

Assistant Chief Sabie places a strong emphasis on professional development and training. He has attended hundreds of law enforcement training courses and holds instructor-level certifications in numerous policing disciplines, demonstrating his commitment to developing officers and strengthening the department. His leadership was formally recognized when he earned Leadership Level III certification from the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police.

Toby is a graduate with honors from Bethel University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Studies with a major in Criminal Justice, achieving an outstanding 3.95 grade point average. His academic achievements, combined with extensive practical experience, reflect a lifelong commitment to learning and excellence.

Beyond his law enforcement responsibilities, Assistant Chief Sabie remains deeply involved in the Portland community. He is an active member of the Portland Rotary Club and serves as a Portland Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, reinforcing his belief that strong partnerships between public safety, local businesses, and civic organizations are essential to a thriving community.

Assistant Chief Sabie’s career reflects a steadfast dedication to service, leadership, and community trust, and he continues to work toward ensuring Portland remains a safe and welcoming place to live, work, and raise a family.

Lieutenant Detective Bartolotta began his law enforcement career in February 2007 with the Montgomery, Alabama Police Department. During his time there, he successfully completed a 16-week advanced Police Academy.

In May 2008, he joined the Lafayette Police Department as a patrol officer. The following year, in June 2009, he transitioned to the Hendersonville Police Department, where he served on patrol for the next four years. In March 2013, he was hired by the Portland Police Department, where he has held the positions of Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Detective, Detective Sergeant, and currently serves as Lieutenant Detective.

In the Criminal Investigations Division, Lieutenant Detective Bartolotta is a member of the Sumner County Child Protective Investigative Team. His primary responsibilities include investigating child abuse and sexual abuse cases, as well as managing the reporting requirements of sexual offenders within the city limits for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Sexual Offender Registry.

He has extensive training in areas such as interview and interrogation, field training, crime scene investigations, basic detective procedures, and specialized training in child abuse and sexual abuse cases. Additionally, he is a certified advanced examiner for Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) and a Cellebrite certified operator.

Lieutenant Detective Bartolotta is a 2005 graduate of Macon County High School and a 2015 graduate of Bethel University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.