SUBJECT:  Kingsport Police Department Awarded CALEA Reaccreditation for Tenth Consecutive Time 

DATE:  April 3rd, 2025 

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On Saturday, March 22, 2025, the Kingsport Police Department’s Deputy Chief of Police, Jason Bellamy, Administration Captain, Chris Tincher, and Accreditation Manager, Kelly Holley, appeared before the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) during their Spring 2025 Conference where K.P.D. received “Advanced Meritorious Reaccreditation,” a distinguished award reserved for agencies that have been continuously accredited for fifteen years or more.

 

The Kingsport Police Department has now successfully navigated through the accreditation process a total of ten times. First accredited through CALEA in 1992, the department has since maintained accreditation for over a quarter century, having been previously reaccredited in 1997, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017 and 2021.

 

“The standards of excellence upheld by our officers, policies, and facilities have become the benchmark by which we measure our success. This commitment is not only integral to our department’s values but also reflects the dedication to the safety, trust, and well-being that our citizens rightfully expect and deserve.” said Chief of Police Dale Phipps.

 

The CALEA Accreditation program provides public safety agencies with an opportunity to voluntarily meet, and show proof of compliance with, an established set of 461 highly regarded and broadly recognized professional law enforcement standards, which require:

 

• Comprehensive and uniform written directives that clearly define authority, performance, and responsibilities
• Reports and analyses to make fact-based and informed management decisions
• Preparedness to address natural or man-made critical incidents
• Community relationship-building and maintenance
• Independent review by subject matter experts
• Continuous pursuit of excellence through annual reviews and other assessment measures

 

The purpose of CALEA is to improve the delivery of public safety services by maintaining a body of professional standards that support the administration of accreditation programs.

 

CALEA Accreditation succeeds through:

 

• Agency Leadership
  • Serves as a resource management tool
  • Establishes trusted processes and best practices
  • Provides a planning framework
  • Encourages organizational growth and improvement

 

• Agency Personnel

 

• Ensures contemporary equipment and training
• Promotes sound operational decisions
• Establishes supportive personnel practices

 

• The Community

 

• Fosters community awareness
• Creates organizational transparency
• Promotes open dialogue and information-sharing

 

For additional information regarding CALEA Accreditation, please visit www.CALEA.org.

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749