The longest tenured TBI director in Tennessee history has announced his retirement.
McMinnville native Mark Gwyn says he will retire June 1, revealing his plans to all TBI employees in a memo Thursday.

Gwyn has worked in law enforcement since 1985 when he got his start with McMinnville Police Department. He worked his way up the ranks and was appointed TBI director by then-Gov. Phil Bredesen in 2004. He was reappointed by Bredesen in 2010, and reappointed again by Haslam in 2016, becoming the first three-term director in TBI history.
Gwyn wrote in Thursday’s memo he has thought and prayed about the decision for some time and believes this is the right time for him and the bureau. He didn't list other reasons.

Gwyn declined an interview request by the Standard on Thursday, but he has been a regular keynote speaker at Rotary Club meetings in McMinnville.

During one speech, Gwyn said the state’s energy toward reducing the meth epidemic has been effective, resulting in a 50 percent reduction in meth labs seized. However, the bad news, Gwyn said, has been an increase in heroin use.
Gwyn has previously identified human trafficking and officer-related shootings as major issues gripping Tennessee.

Gwyn began his law enforcement career on the streets of McMinnville as a patrolman. After three years, Gwyn joined the TBI as a special agent and spent eight years investigating some of the state’s most high-profile crimes.

Gwyn was promoted to TBI administration in 1996.