Specialized Teams/Positions

The Kingsport Police Department has several specialized teams and positions to address special circumstances that may periodically arise. While some of these positions such as K-9 and Code Enforcement are full time positions, many of the officers fulfilling these specialized roles have a regular full-time assignment in another division; however, they have received extensive training in their specialized field and are activated on an “as needed” basis.

S.W.A.T.K-9 Unit Bomb Squad Drone Team Bike Patrol Hostage & Crisis Negotiators Police Chaplain

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The KPD Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) team was formed in the fall of 1980.The team currently consists of 11 members, including one medic. The S.W.A.T. team averages approx. 1 callout per month. S.W.A.T. members must be KPD officers for three years before applying to the S.W.A.T. team. They must pass a rigorous testing procedure and Team interview to even be considered.

S.W.A.T. responds to six main categories of calls including:

Hostage Situations
Sniper/counter-sniper deployment
Barricaded subjects
Heavy Arrest
Dignitary Protection
Special Circumstances (Riot suppression, etc.)

In addition to their tactical skills, the S.W.A.T. Team depends on many different tools and weapons. The primary weapon of the team is the Colt Commando M-4 Rifle. The secondary weapon is the 1911 .45 ACP pistol. They also use Remington 870 shotguns, distraction devices, and two variations the of 40 mm launchers, which shoot a variety of chemical irritants. All of these have special uses depending upon each situation. The sniper team uses the McMillian TAC .308 rifle, a custom built rifle that is fully adjustable.

A very important supplement to the S.W.A.T. team is specially trained paramedic that is attached to the Team. He is combat casualty trained and a flight paramedic on a medical helicopter.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

The Bomb Squad has been an integral part of the Kingsport Police Department since 1992. The Bomb Squad responds to calls and safely disposed of explosive devices and products ranging from old/unsafe pistol and rifle ammunition to old dynamite, homemade bombs, chemical bombs and military ordnance, as well as fake bombs or suspicious objects. The Bomb Squad has assisted other jurisdictions and provided service at the Bristol Motor Speedway.

The KPD has four bomb technicians. These officers attended a Hazardous Devices School at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama for required certification by the United States government. The school is taught by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Army.
Technicians are also required to complete a refresher course every three years, and to complete 16 hours of practical exercises and other training each month.

Bomb technicians are responsible for the safe removal, transport, and storage of explosives. They conduct bomb scene investigations, collect, and preserve evidence, provide technical support for special operations, and compile and report technical data on explosive devices and incidents.

A few of the special items the KPD technicians have for working with suspected explosives include: a 30 lb. investigation suit, 100 lb. bomb suit, a $4500 portable x-ray machine, two disrupters (special water cannons that can be used to tear apart suspect items faster that electricity can travel), a Bomb truck is used to transport these and other tools to suspect sites, and a special 10,000 lb. bomb trailer to remove suspected items away from populated areas.

Regular Patrol Officers respond and investigate bomb threats or reports. The Bomb Squad technicians are called in when actual suspicious packages or items are found.

The Kingsport Police Department currently has a team of four drone pilots and two visual observers. Drone pilots are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration and retake the certification exam every two years.

The KPD uses drone technology for a myriad of purposes, including search and rescue, missing persons, fugitive cases, aerial photography and videography of crime and crash scenes, aerial surveillance and monitoring large crowds or traffic.

The purpose of the Bicycle Patrol Unit is to perform visible patrol duties, community relations and crime prevention. The Bicycle Patrol places police officers in the community where they are the most available to the general public. Here they can work side by side with the people in our community to reduce crime, prevent loss of property, stop personal injury, and promote a positive image of our department to both adults and children alike.

These officers are out of the police cruisers which gives them more one-on-one contact and communication with the general public. This allows the officers to get better acquainted with the citizens who live in their patrol area and to learn the problems they are faced with, and to aid them in finding solutions to these problems. The Kingsport Bike Patrol unit was originally formed in 1991 with funding from the HUD, provided through the Kingsport Housing Authority. This federal drug elimination grant paid for the equipment and overtime hours used to reduce the drug problems in public housing and surrounding communities.

Officers who participate in this unit are required to attend a school for certification. Officers are taught bicycle safety, maintenance, riding techniques, suspect approach techniques, tactical dismounts, obstacle negotiations, emergency skills and legal issues.

In addition to the community Patrol services the Bike Patrol is used extensively during special events such as parades and Funfest as well as patrolling the greenbelt.

Benefits of a Bicycle Patrol

Bike patrols are cost effective – 10 to 15 bike officers can be fully outfitted for the cost of one patrol car.
Large operational cost savings of a bicycle compared to maintenance and fuel cost of a patrol car.
Bike officers can travel faster and farther than foot officers and they are able to patrol areas unreachable by car.
Bicycles give officers the “stealth” advantage – because they are silent, cops on bikes can ride right up to the scene of a crime before they are noticed.

Bicycles are a great public relations tool – an officer on a bike is much more approachable.

International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA)

History

The union of police and bicycles dates back almost to the invention of the bicycle. The nation’s first urban uniformed mountain bike patrol started out on July 10, 1987. On that date two Seattle officers peddled out of their precinct and made three felony arrests in the first hour. The versatility of the Mountain bike works so well you would almost think it was designed for police work. Today, the bicycle is used by law enforcement units from urban to beaches to parks. Most recently, mountain bikes have been adopted by EMS units.

Law Enforcement Bicycle Association (LEBA)

The Kingsport Police Department Hostage Negotiation Team is made up of five trained negotiators. The negotiators are selected from amongst the ranks of the police department.

When selecting negotiators a special emphasis is placed on selecting officers that possess superior communication skills.

The Hostage Negotiation Team responds to incidents that involve barricaded subjects, with or without hostages, and suicidal subjects. Using highly skilled and trained negotiators, the team strives to resolve incidents as peacefully as is possible, thereby reducing the risk of injury or loss of life for citizens and officers alike.

The Hostage Negotiation Team is on call 24 hours a day and responds to incidents city wide. The Hostage Negotiation Team is separate from the department’s SWAT team but they work closely to resolve high risk situations.

The Kingsport Police Department has a Chaplain that responds to all major incidents, especially when the potential for the loss of life is great. The Chaplain assists officers when they must deliver a death notification. He helps to coordinate and participates in critical incident debriefings. The Chaplain is the liaison between the police department and local churches and religious leaders. Lieutenant Justin Quillin serves as Chaplain.

Policeman’s Prayer

When I start my tour of duty God,
Wherever crime may be,
as I walk the darkened streets alone,
Let me be close to thee.

Please give me understanding with both the young and old.
Let me listen with attention until their story’s told.
Let me never make a judgment in a rash or callous way,
but let me hold my patience let each man have his say.

Lord if some dark and dreary night,
I must give my life,
Lord, with your everlasting love
protect my children and my wife.

Police Officer’s Prayer

Oh Almighty God,
Whose Great Power And Eternal
Wisdom Embraces The Universe,
Watch Over All Policemen and
Law Enforcement Officers.
Protect Them From Harm
In The Performance Of Their Duty
To Stop Crime, Robberies,
Riots And Violence.
We Pray, Help Them Keep
Our Streets And Homes Safe
Day And Night.
We Recommend Them To
Your Loving Care
Because Their Duty Is Dangerous.
Grant Them Your Unending Strength And
Courage In Their Daily Assignments.
Dear God, Protect These
Brave Men & Women,
Grant Them Your Almighty
Protection,
Unite Them Safely With Their
Families After Duty Has Ended.
Amen.

POLICEMAN’S PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL

St. Michael, Heaven’s glorious Commissioner of Police, who once so neatly and successfully cleared God’s premises of all it’s undesirables, look with kindly and professional eye on your earthly force.

Give us cool heads, stout hearts, hard punches, an uncanny flair for investigation, and wise judgement.

Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores, strict with law-breakers, and impervious to temptations.

You know, St. Michael, from your own experiences with the devil, that the policeman’s lot on Earth is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.

And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your Heavenly Force, where we will be as proud to guard the throne of God, as we have been to guard the city of men.

Amen.