Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

As previously released:

On the evening of February 7, 2023 a van belonging to Holy Mountain Baptist Church, located at 3121 Ashley Street in Kingsport was reported stolen from the church property. The van had been left locked and the key had been securely stored.

A review of surveillance video footage revealed that the van was stolen earlier that same day between the hours 4:30 and 5:00 PM. A white male suspect could be observed using burglary tools to break into and steal the van.

The van is a light blue 1993 Dodge Full-size 15 passenger van. When it was stolen, it displayed TN license plate 461BGCH on the rear and a custom tag reading “Holy Mountain Baptist Church” on the front. Obviously those tags could have easily been removed and/or replaced following the theft.

Photos of the suspect and the stolen van have been included in this release. Anyone who might recognize the suspect, know where the stolen van can be located, or have any additional information that may help with the investigation, is asked to contact Detectives in the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department• www.KingsportPDBlog.com

A review of surveillance video footage revealed that the van was stolen earlier that same day between the hours 4:30 and 5:00 PM. A white male suspect could be observed using burglary tools to break into and steal the van.

The van is a light blue 1993 Dodge Full-size 15 passenger van. When it was stolen, it displayed TN license plate 461BGCH on the rear and a custom tag reading “Holy Mountain Baptist Church” on the front. Obviously those tags could have easily been removed and/or replaced following the theft.

Photos of the suspect and the stolen van have been included in this release. Anyone who might recognize the suspect, know where the stolen van can be located, or have any additional information that may help with the investigation, is asked to contact Detectives in the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

Individuals who are interested in a rewarding career with a professional law enforcement agency are strongly encouraged to apply. All applicants must be a United States citizen and either already be at least 21 years of age or be turning 21 by no later than September 7, 2023. All applications must be submitted online using the following link:

https://www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/Kingsport

Following the February 19th deadline, all applicants will receive a confirmation email, as well as a letter by traditional mail, containing further instructions regarding the upcoming Police Applicant Testing procedures, as well as the exact date, time, and location that they are to report for testing.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A WRITTEN EXAMINATION AS PART OF THIS TESTING PROCESS.

All applicants will begin the testing process with a physical agility evaluation. The physical agility evaluation will be administered on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. This session will be conducted at Domtar Park, located at 1414 Riverport Road in Kingsport.

The physical agility evaluation will consist of a timed one-mile run and a timed roughly one-quarter-mile obstacle course designed to measure fitness, strength, agility, endurance, and perseverance as related to the duties of a Police Officer. Individuals must have an application on file and sign a waiver of liability in order to be eligible to participate.

The applications of those candidates who successfully pass the physical agility evaluation will be reviewed for eligibility and suitability to move forward to the interview panel phase which will be conducted during the following week of March 13-17, 2023. General criteria to be considered for selection for an interview will be outlined in the confirmation email and letter each applicant will receive.

Those applicants with the highest combined scores on the physical agility evaluation and interview panel will then be interviewed by the Chief of Police to determine the final selections. Those ultimately selected will also be subject to a medical examination, psychological evaluation, and a thorough background investigation prior to actual hiring.

The current starting salary for Police Officer Trainee has recently been increased to $18.73 per hour or $38,962 annually. Applicants who are already certified law enforcement officers may be eligible for additional salary adjustments to compensate for prior experience if certain criteria are met. Academy training and all essential equipment including uniforms, firearms, body armor, and duty gear are provided by the department. K.P.D. also issues take-home police cruisers to officers meeting specific response-time requirements.

City of Kingsport employee benefits include direct payroll deposit; paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave; employee life insurance; optional supplemental and dependent life insurance; long-term disability; health insurance; optional dental and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; as well as education tuition and fitness membership reimbursements.

Effective January 1, 2023 the City of Kingsport has returned to the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) for the retirement plan of all new employees. The new retirement plan is the TCRS Hybrid Plan consisting of both a Defined Benefit (Pension) and a Defined Contribution (401), plus an optional 457 fund.

For additional information regarding the application process, please call the City of Kingsport Human Resources Department at 423-229-9401. For additional information regarding a law enforcement career at the Kingsport Police Department, please call the K.P.D. Professional Standards Unit at 423-229-9433.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

DalePhipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

Individuals 18 years of age or older who are interested in a criminal justice career are strongly encouraged to apply. All applications must be submitted online using the following link:

https://www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/Kingsport

Please note that due to Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) regulations, there are separate job postings for male and female applicants, but BOTH are currently open. Applications are accepted year-round as long as openings exist.

The salary for a Kingsport Police Department Corrections Officer has recently been increased and starts at $15.37 per hour or $31,969 per year. All uniforms, equipment, and training are provided at no cost to the employee.

City of Kingsport employee benefits include direct payroll deposit; paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave; employee life insurance; optional supplemental and dependent life insurance; long-term disability; health insurance; optional dental and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; as well as education tuition and fitness membership reimbursements.

Effective January 1, 2023 the City of Kingsport has returned to the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) for the retirement plan of all new employees. The new retirement plan is the TCRS Hybrid Plan consisting of both a Defined Benefit (Pension) and a Defined Contribution (401), plus an optional 457 fund.

For additional information regarding the application process, please call the City of Kingsport Human Resources Department at 423-229-9401. For additional information regarding the Corrections Officer position, please call the K.P.D. Jail Administrator at 423-229-9424.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department• www.KingsportPDBlog.com

For excellence in crash investigation, Officer Aaron Grimes, Corporal Matt McGuire, and Officer Jonathan Bailey received recognition.

For excellence in driving under the influence (DUI) enforcement, Officers Hunter Hite, Josh Leonard, Dakota Benton, and Corporal Matt McGuire received recognition.

For excellence in distracted driving enforcement, Corporal Matt McGuire, Officer Aaron Grimes, and Lieutenant Steve Summey received recognition.

For excellence in seatbelt enforcement, Officer Bailey Malone, Corporal Matt McGuire, and Officer Travis Bates received recognition.

For excellence in speed enforcement, Lieutenant Steve Summey, Officer Bailey Malone, and Corporal Matt McGuire received recognition.

Each officer was presented with a certificate of appreciation by the department for excellence in the respective field of traffic safety enforcement.

The Kingsport Police Department would like to publicly congratulate these officers and thank them for a job well done in helping to make Kingsport’s streets safer for the motoring public.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

From September 1 through December 31, 2022, K.P.D. conducted its 2nd Annual “No-Shave Fallvember” campaign for charity. During those four months, K.P.D. allowed its employees the option of making a monthly monetary donation in exchange for the privilege of either growing and maintaining a neatly groomed beard, wearing blue jeans on Fridays, or wearing a solid-color ribbon in one of the traditionally associated cause awareness colors.

K.P.D. generated a grand total of $19,000 with its campaign. $13,000 of this was raised in-house, while the remaining funds were donated by community partners, Holston Medical Group ($5,000) and the Kingsport Area Safety Council ($1,000). The monies raised were divided evenly and donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport and Girls, Inc. of Kingsport, with each organization receiving a check for $9,500.

“Today, more than ever, we see how organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport and Girls Inc. of Kingsport are making a difference in the lives of young people in our community. By providing a safe environment and positive programs in academics, athletics, leadership, life-skills, and character-development, they are positively impacting our next generation of citizens and directing them down the path toward success,” said Chief of Police Dale Phipps. “It is imperative that organizations that are dedicated to making investments into children’s lives have the proper funding in order to meet the needs of those who are less fortunate than others. We want to express our sincere appreciation to all employees, citizens, and our community partners for their generous support toward this campaign.”

As previously released:

Beginning Thursday, September 1, 2022, area citizens may start noticing some stubble on the faces of some of Kingsport’s Police Officers. K.P.D. is launching its 2nd Annual “No-Shave Fallvember” campaign to raise funds for a very worthwhile cause.

While Kingsport Police Department policies typically require employees to maintain a traditional conservative appearance, this Fall, K.P.D. will temporarily relax these standards and allow employees to select one of the following options:

· Employees may choose to grow and maintain a neatly-groomed beard.

· Employees may choose to wear blue jeans on Fridays (non-uniformed personnel only).

· Employees may choose to wear a solid-color ribbon in one of the traditionally associated cause awareness colors.

Last year’s campaign started off as “No-Shave November” and eventually expanded to “No-Shave November & December;” however, the “No-Shave Fallvember” campaign this year will incorporate the four months of September, October, November, and December. Last year’s campaign successfully raised $12,250, all of which was donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

All K.P.D. employees are being encouraged to participate. In order to take part in this year’s campaign, employees are asked to make a $40 donation to the K.P.D. Employee Fund for each month of the campaign. If an employee wishes to participate in all four months, their donation would be $160. As wearing blue jeans on Friday only involves one day per week, that option only requires a $25 donation per month or $100 for all four months.

Arrangements have also been made where citizens, businesses, and other organizations can join K.P.D.’s campaign by becoming a community partner sponsor. The following sponsorship tiers are available:

· Diamond Level Sponsor $5,000

· Platinum Level Sponsor $2,500

· Gold Level Sponsor $1,000

· Silver Level Sponsor $500

· Bronze Level Sponsor $250

· Blue Level Sponsor (Individual Officer Matching) $160

K.P.D. is also extremely pleased to announce that Holston Medical Group (HMG) has already committed to be a Diamond Level Sponsor. This is the second year that HMG has pledged $5,000 to this campaign. The Kingsport Area Safety Council (KASC) has committed to be a Gold Level Sponsor, pledging $1,000 toward the campaign. We anticipate that other community partners will join us in our fund-raising efforts throughout the campaign.

While certainly not required, in addition to their own participation, all K.P.D. employees are being challenged to obtain a Blue Level Sponsorship from a friend or family member to match their own individual donation.

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor may contact the K.P.D. Professional Standards Unit at 423-229-9433.

Cash donations must be hand-delivered. Donations by check may either be hand-delivered or mailed. Checks should be written to “K.P.D. Employee Fund” with “No-Shave Fallvember” written in the memo line on the bottom left of the check.

Mailed checks must be received by December 31st and should be sent to:

K.P.D. Employee Fund

No-Shave Fallvember Campaign

200 Shelby Street

Kingsport, TN 37660

All monies raised through K.P.D.’s “No-Shave Fallvember” campaign will be donated to local children’s charities and non-profits. This year, upon completion of the campaign, all funds raised will be evenly distributed between the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport and Girls Inc.

“Today, more than ever, we see how organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport and Girls Inc. are making a difference in the lives of young people in our community. By providing a safe environment and positive programs in academics, athletics, leadership, life-skills, and character-development, they are positively impacting our next generation of citizens and directing them down the path toward success,” said Chief of Police Dale Phipps. “I genuinely hope that each of you consider making a contribution to this worthy cause. It is imperative that organizations that are dedicated to making investments into children’s lives have the proper funding in order to meet the needs of those who are less fortunate than others. We want to express our sincere appreciation to all employees, citizens, and our community partners for their generous support toward this campaign.”

Effective January 1, 2023, K.P.D. employees will return to the traditional conservative appearance standards that citizens have come to expect.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

As previously released:

On December 16, 2022 Lynsey A. Pickett was reported to the Kingsport Police Department as a missing person by a family member, who advised that she had not been seen or heard from in about 10 months. Her last known address was in Kingsport.

While there is no known reason to suspect foul play, out of courtesy to her family, Investigators are making every possible effort to locate her.

Lynsey is a 36 year old white female adult. She is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. She has brown eyes, and her hair color varies. She has gauge earrings and a nose piercing. Photos of her are included in this release.

Anyone who sees her, or who may know her current whereabouts is asked to contact Detectives in the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

Weight

130 pounds

Brown eyes

Nose piercing

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

Beyond the risk of serious injury or death associated with impaired driving, being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can impact your life in many ways, including loss of current employment, prevention of future employment in certain jobs, higher insurance rates, serious financial setbacks, personal and family embarrassment, and incarceration.

The Kingsport Police Department continues to emphasize to citizens that Tennessee D.U.I. laws apply not just to drinking alcohol, but to ingesting any substance that impairs the driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, including illegal drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, as well as prescription drugs, even if they are prescribed by a physician.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

Individuals who are interested in a rewarding career with a professional law enforcement agency are strongly encouraged to apply. All applicants must be a United States citizen and either already be at least 21 years of age or be turning 21 by no later than September 7, 2023. All applications must be submitted online using the following link:

https://www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/Kingsport

Following the February 19th deadline, all applicants will receive a confirmation email, as well as a letter by traditional mail, containing further instructions regarding the upcoming Police Applicant Testing procedures, as well as the exact date, time, and location that they are to report for testing.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A WRITTEN EXAMINATION AS PART OF THIS TESTING PROCESS.

All applicants will begin the testing process with a physical agility evaluation. The physical agility evaluation will be administered on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. This session will be conducted at Domtar Park, located at 1414 Riverport Road in Kingsport.

The physical agility evaluation will consist of a timed one-mile run and a timed roughly one-quarter-mile obstacle course designed to measure fitness, strength, agility, endurance, and perseverance as related to the duties of a Police Officer. Individuals must have an application on file and sign a waiver of liability in order to be eligible to participate.

The applications of those candidates who successfully pass the physical agility evaluation will be reviewed for eligibility and suitability to move forward to the interview panel phase which will be conducted during the following week of March 13-17, 2023. General criteria to be considered for selection for an interview will be outlined in the confirmation email and letter each applicant will receive.

Those applicants with the highest combined scores on the physical agility evaluation and interview panel will then be interviewed by the Chief of Police to determine the final selections. Those ultimately selected will also be subject to a medical examination, psychological evaluation, and a thorough background investigation prior to actual hiring.

The current starting salary for Police Officer Trainee has recently been increased to $18.73 per hour or $38,962 annually. Applicants who are already certified law enforcement officers may be eligible for additional salary adjustments to compensate for prior experience if certain criteria are met. Academy training and all essential equipment including uniforms, firearms, body armor, and duty gear are provided by the department. K.P.D. also issues take-home police cruisers to officers meeting specific response-time requirements.

City of Kingsport employee benefits include direct payroll deposit; paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave; employee life insurance; optional supplemental and dependent life insurance; long-term disability; health insurance; optional dental and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; as well as education tuition and fitness membership reimbursements.

Effective January 1, 2023 the City of Kingsport has returned to the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) for the retirement plan of all new employees. The new retirement plan is the TCRS Hybrid Plan consisting of both a Defined Benefit (Pension) and a Defined Contribution (401), plus an optional 457 fund.

For additional information regarding the application process, please call the City of Kingsport Human Resources Department at 423-229-9401. For additional information regarding a law enforcement career at the Kingsport Police Department, please call the K.P.D. Professional Standards Unit at 423-229-9433.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

Individuals who are interested in a rewarding career with a professional law enforcement agency are strongly encouraged to apply. All applicants must be a United States citizen and either already be at least 21 years of age or be turning 21 by no later than September 7, 2023. All applications must be submitted online using the following link:

https://www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/Kingsport

Following the February 19th deadline, all applicants will receive a confirmation email, as well as a letter by traditional mail, containing further instructions regarding the upcoming Police Applicant Testing procedures, as well as the exact date, time, and location that they are to report for testing.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A WRITTEN EXAMINATION AS PART OF THIS TESTING PROCESS.

All applicants will begin the testing process with a physical agility evaluation. The physical agility evaluation will be administered on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. This session will be conducted at Domtar Park, located at 1414 Riverport Road in Kingsport.

The physical agility evaluation will consist of a timed one-mile run and a timed roughly one-quarter-mile obstacle course designed to measure fitness, strength, agility, endurance, and perseverance as related to the duties of a Police Officer. Individuals must have an application on file and sign a waiver of liability in order to be eligible to participate.

The applications of those candidates who successfully pass the physical agility evaluation will be reviewed for eligibility and suitability to move forward to the interview panel phase which will be conducted during the following week of March 13-17, 2023. General criteria to be considered for selection for an interview will be outlined in the confirmation email and letter each applicant will receive.

Those applicants with the highest combined scores on the physical agility evaluation and interview panel will then be interviewed by the Chief of Police to determine the final selections. Those ultimately selected will also be subject to a medical examination, psychological evaluation, and a thorough background investigation prior to actual hiring.

The current starting salary for Police Officer Trainee has recently been increased to $18.73 per hour or $38,962 annually. Applicants who are already certified law enforcement officers may be eligible for additional salary adjustments to compensate for prior experience if certain criteria are met. Academy training and all essential equipment including uniforms, firearms, body armor, and duty gear are provided by the department. K.P.D. also issues take-home police cruisers to officers meeting specific response-time requirements.

City of Kingsport employee benefits include direct payroll deposit; paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave; employee life insurance; optional supplemental and dependent life insurance; long-term disability; health insurance; optional dental and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; as well as education tuition and fitness membership reimbursements.

Effective January 1, 2023 the City of Kingsport has returned to the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) for the retirement plan of all new employees. The new retirement plan is the TCRS Hybrid Plan consisting of both a Defined Benefit (Pension) and a Defined Contribution (401), plus an optional 457 fund.

For additional information regarding the application process, please call the City of Kingsport Human Resources Department at 423-229-9401. For additional information regarding a law enforcement career at the Kingsport Police Department, please call the K.P.D. Professional Standards Unit at 423-229-9433.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton