When the Kingsport Police Department’s Command Staff sit down together to make an important decision, they bring over 130 years of combined law enforcement experience to the table. Each of these individuals has a specific skill-set giving them a unique perspective. Together they manage the Kingsport Police Department and serve as an advisory panel to assist the Chief of Police with any significant developments. It is the mission of the K.P.D. Command Staff to provide the citizens of Kingsport with a professional law enforcement agency founded on the principles of Courage, Integrity, and Justice.
Chief Dale Phipps has been a sworn officer with the police department since September 1988, where he has served in many areas of operations and administration throughout his career, including Uniform Patrol, SWAT, Vice/Narcotics, and Professional Standards. He was instrumental in the department’s decision to field Tasers as an additional less lethal option, both conducting the research and writing the policy that governs their use. Chief Phipps is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 228, Quantico, VA, as well as having an Associate and Bachelor Degrees from East Tennessee State University. In March 2021, he was selected to become the 15th Chief of Police of the Kingsport Police Department.
Deputy Chief Jason Bellamy received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Criminal Justice and Sociology from East Tennessee State University. He then went on to earn his Masters of Education, also from E.T.S.U. Before joining the Kingsport Police Department in 1998, Deputy Chief Bellamy worked for Frontier Health as a Crisis Clinician and served as a Reserve Officer for the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office. He is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy and the National Forensic Academy. During his tenure at K.P.D. he has served as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Training Sergeant, Watch Commander, Captain of Operations, and Commander. He was promoted to Deputy Chief in April 2021, and now serves as second in command, overseeing the day to day operation of the department.
Commander Sean Chambers received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from East Tennessee State University. He initially joined the Kingsport Police Department in 1993 as a Corrections Officer, and he was sworn in as a Police Officer the following year. He has served the department in a variety of roles, including Patrol Officer, Community Police, Vice Detective, and as Director of the 2nd Judicial District Drug Task Force. He rose through the ranks while on Patrol, where he served as a Watch Commander. He later supervised the department’s Criminal Investigations Division. He was promoted to Commander in May 2021 and now oversees both the Operations and Administrative Bureaus and manages the department’s budget.
Captain Mike Roark received his Associate of Science in Law Enforcement and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from East Tennessee State University. While attending E.T.S.U. he was actively involved in the R.O.T.C. Program. He later served 14 years in the United States Army Reserves. Captain Roark joined the Kingsport Police Department in 1985 and has dedicated his entire career to Patrol. During his tenure at the department, he has served as a Watch Commander, supervised the Directed Patrol Unit, and lead the K.P.D. Honor Guard Team. He was promoted to Captain in June of 2014 and currently oversees the department’s Operations Bureau.
Captain Randall Gore received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He was sworn in as a Kingsport Police Officer in 1994 and has since served with the department in several roles including Patrol Officer, Community Police, and Accreditation Manager. He has supervisory experience in the Training Unit, K-9 Unit, and Patrol Division. While a Lieutenant, he commanded several divisions of the Administrative Bureau including the Records Division and the Quartermaster/Evidence Unit. Captain Gore is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy. He was promoted to Captain in April 2016 and currently oversees the Administrative Bureau.