KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police Department to Reinstate Safety Protocols to Lessen Exposure to and Transmission of COVID-19

	Kingsport Police Department Dale Phipps, Chief of Police 200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department• www.KingsportPDBlog.com
NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT:		Kingsport Police Department to Reinstate Safety Protocols to Lessen Exposure to and Transmission of COVID-19
DATE:		September 3, 2021

GENERAL NARRATIVE
Due to the recent resurgence of COVID-19, effective Monday, September 6, 2021 the following safety protocols will be temporarily reinstated by the Kingsport Police Department to lessen the chances of exposure to and transmission of the virus. These protocols will remain in effect until the number of positive cases significantly decline. · There will be some types of calls that are extremely minor or civil in nature to which officers will simply not be responding unless there is a current public safety issue. In these cases, guidance will be provided via telephone. · There will be an increase in the reporting of incidents by telephone rather than an officer responding in person unless there is a current public safety issue. · Officers will be strongly encouraged to maintain safe “social distancing” from citizens whenever possible. · Officers will be strongly discouraged from entering private residences or businesses unless absolutely necessary, but rather interacting with citizens outdoors in an open air environment. These changes are similar to how the department conducted business during the peak of COVID-19 beginning the Spring of 2020. Details of any variation in response will be provided when anyone contacts Kingsport Central Dispatch to report an incident or request the services of the Kingsport Police Department.