Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

Between now and Saturday, October 29th, all area residents are encouraged to go through their medicine cabinets and inventory their medications. Now is the time to safely dispose of any leftover, expired, or otherwise unwanted medications. This community drug take-back event is open to the public and is a prime opportunity and the preferred method to safely dispose of any medications that are no longer needed.

The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sponsors two National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days each year, in April and October. National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days aim to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.

While the DEA does recognize these two annual days, at the Kingsport Police Department, we like to think of every day as Drug Take-Back Day. K.P.D. has been participating in drug take-back initiatives since 2010 and installed a permanent drug collection box in the lobby of the Kingsport Justice Center, located at 200 Shelby Street in Downtown Kingsport, in 2012. Our box is accessible 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, 365 days-a-year. To date, K.P.D. has been able to safely incinerate over 20,000 pounds (10 tons) of leftover, unwanted, or expired medications.

The goals of this program are to keep drugs off the street, prevent overdoses and accidental poisonings, and avoid environmental contamination. Drugs that can be accepted include prescription, over the counter (OTC), vitamins, herbals, supplements, and veterinary medications. Items that are not accepted through this program include needles or sharps, biohazard materials, and illegal drugs.

For more information on the DEA’s National Take-Back Day initiative, please visit the following links:

https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/

https://takebackday.dea.gov/

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

Starting salary is $16.15 per hour or $31,597 annually. Pay incentives are negotiable for applicants with prior 9-1-1 dispatch experience.

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; and education tuition and fitness membership reimbursements.

The current retirement plan through December 31, 2022 is the Mission Square 401 fund with matching, plus an optional Mission Square 457 fund.

The new retirement plan that will go into effect on January 1, 2023 is the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) Hybrid Plan consisting of both a Defined Benefit (Pension) and a Defined Contribution (401), plus an optional 457 fund.

Anyone hired in 2022 will be enrolled in the current retirement plan. On January 1, 2023 those employees may then choose to either keep the current plan or transition to the new plan. Anyone hired in 2023 will be automatically enrolled in the new retirement plan.

In order to be considered for any current openings, applications must be received by Sunday, October 9, 2022. All applications must be submitted online by visiting the following link:

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

The Communications Specialists of Kingsport Central Dispatch process roughly a quarter of a million telephone calls annually. Approximately twenty percent (50,000) of these calls are emergency calls to 9-1-1. Although a division of the Kingsport Police Department, Kingsport Central Dispatch also provides services for the Kingsport Fire Department, Sullivan County E.M.S., Kingsport Life Saving Crew, and other city departments and functions.

Kingsport Central Dispatch moved into the current 7,500 square foot, state-of-the-art, 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center in Downtown Kingsport in October 2015. Central Dispatch had previously been housed in a cramped 1,000 square foot space on the second floor of the Kingsport Justice Center since 1989. Prior to that, Central Dispatch operated out of the basement of the Civic Auditorium.

Kingsport Central Dispatch personnel serve under the supervision of the Executive Director of Kingsport 9-1-1, and when fully staffed include a Communications Supervisor, a Technical Services Coordinator, 4 Shift Leaders, and 16 Communications Specialists, all of whom are Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certified.

For additional information regarding Kingsport Central Dispatch, please visit the following links:

https://www.KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department/Administrative_Bureau/Central_Dispatch/

http://Kingsport911.org/

For assistance with the application process, please contact the City of Kingsport Human Resources Department by calling 423-229-9401. For questions regarding the position of Communications Specialist/Dispatcher, please call the Executive Director of Kingsport 9-1-1 at 423-229-9358.

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 September 10, 2022 at approximately 12:40 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 81 near exit 63 (Airport Parkway) in Kingsport. Due to the serious and complex nature of the crash, the K.P.D. Traffic Unit was called to the scene to investigate. Their subsequent investigation determined the following:

A dark blue 2019 Ram 1500 pickup was northbound on I-81. Meanwhile, a white 2018 Ford Transit van, a white Freightliner tractor-trailer, and a white Chevrolet 1500 pickup were all traveling southbound on I-81. For reasons still under investigation, the Ram pickup crossed the grass median and began traveling north directly into southbound traffic. The Ram pickup struck the side of the Ford van and then the front of the Freightliner tractor-trailer.

The Chevrolet pickup then ran off the right side of the road to avoid colliding with the other vehicles, but ended up traveling up an embankment, striking a tree, and rolling over. The Ram pickup caught on fire which further damaged it. The fire then spread to the double trailers (owned by FedEx) which were being pulled by the Freightliner.

The driver and passenger of the Freightliner sustained suspected minor injuries and were transported by Sullivan County EMS to an area hospital for treatment. The driver of the Ram pickup, Jonathan Alexander Merritt (29 years of age of Salisbury, MD), sustained suspected major injuries and was also transported by Sullivan County EMS to an area hospital for treatment. As of the latest information received, he remains hospitalized in critical condition.

The crash resulted in the complete closure of southbound I-81 and partial closure of northbound I-81 for approximately seven hours. Temporary detours were put in place by TDOT during the closure. By 8:00 PM, all lanes were back open, and normal traffic patterns had resumed.

This crash remains under open and active investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit. As such, no further details are available for release at this time.

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

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 Fall-vember” 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 Fall-vember” 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 Fall-vember Campaign

200 Shelby Street

Kingsport, TN 37660

All monies raised through K.P.D.’s “No-Shave Fall-vember” 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

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 Fall-vember” 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 Fall-vember” 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 Fall-vember Campaign

200 Shelby Street

Kingsport, TN 37660

All monies raised through K.P.D.’s “No-Shave Fall-vember” 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