Professional Standards Unit
The Kingsport Police Department’s Professional Standards Unit was officially formed in 2014 with the goal of unifying several pre-existing divisions of the department under one central umbrella for the purpose of maintaining nationally recognized standards of excellence in law enforcement. The divisions of the department that make up the Professional Standards Unit include the Training Division, the Internal Affairs Division, the Accreditation Manager, and the Public Information Officer.
Lieutenant Tom Wayt received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Masters of Business Administration from Bethel University. He is also a graduate of the School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) at Northwestern University. He began his public safety career in 1988 with the Wintersville, Ohio Fire Department where he served as a Firefighter and Paramedic. He later served as an E.R. Technician for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center/Mercy Hospital and as a Paramedic Rescue Technician for Baldwin E.M.S. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was sworn in at the Kingsport Police Department in 2003 and has since served as Patrol Officer, Community Police, S.W.A.T. Operator, Crime Analyst, and supervisor in both the Training Unit and on Patrol. A highly proactive officer, he has been awarded the Life Saving Medal and the Medal of Valor and is a past recipient of both the Mark Vance Domestic Violence Officer of the Year and the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) Officer of the Year awards. He was promoted to Lieutenant in April of 2016, and after serving a tour as Watch Commander on Patrol, several divisions of the Administrative Bureau including the Records Division, Municipal Court, the Quartermaster/Evidence Unit, and 5th Platoon. He currently oversees the Professional Standards Unit.




