Strategic Operations Unit
The Kingsport Police Department’s Strategic Operations Unit consists of several specialized divisions of the Operations Bureau. These include the Directed Patrol Officer, the School Resource Officers, Parking Enforcement, and the department’s Social Worker, whose primary focus is to navigate the multitude of issues associated with homelessness and help direct that population to various community resources designed to assist them. The Strategic Operations Unit Commander also oversees various special projects and events such as security for Kingsport’s annual Fun Fest and other concerts and festivals held throughout the year, and traffic control for various parades and road races.
Lieutenant Micah Johnston began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a Reserve Officer for the Mount Carmel Police Department. He attended the Police Academy the following year, and has also studied Criminal Justice at Northeast State Community College. He joined the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office as a full time officer in 2002, where he served in the Patrol Division, as a Field Training Officer, and on the S.W.A.T. Team. He was sworn in at the Kingsport Police Department in 2007. During his tenure at K.P.D. he has served as a Patrol Officer, Vice Detective, Hostage Negotiator, and as a member of the Honor Guard. He has supervised in the Training Unit, Traffic Unit, and Power Shift. He was promoted to Lieutenant in July of 2020 and currently oversees the Strategic Operations Unit.
