SUBJECT: Chief of Police Dale Phipps Announces Retirement
DATE: March 27th, 2025
GENERAL NARRATIVE
Kingsport Police Chief Dale Phipps has announced his retirement after almost 37 years of service, effective June 27, 2025. Phipps commented, “It is time to step away from a job that I have loved for many years and turn my focus to the enjoyments of life and family.” Chief Phipps has served with the city since September 1988 and has experienced the many avenues of specialization this career field offers.
Chief Phipps began his journey as a patrol officer with the City of Kingsport after serving in the U.S. Air Force. During his career, he has had opportunities to be assigned to the Patrol Division, the Professional Standards Unit, Vice/Narcotics Investigations, SWAT, as a Watch Commander, Deputy Chief, and ultimately named as the 15th Chief of Police in March 2021.
During his lengthy tenure, Phipps has certainly seen many changes within his career in law enforcement. “Laws have certainly evolved over my time, as well as the technology, tactics, and training. What has remained the same has been the overall professionalism, courage, and integrity of the Kingsport Police Department. I have been so blessed to have been part of an organization that has an incredible and rich history of service to this community and the men and women of this department are absolutely second to none.” Phipps further added, “When I started with KPD, we had approximately 65 police officers. Since then, we have doubled in size. The city footprint has also grown considerably in that time, as well as demands for police services. We have diligently tried to meet those rising needs by hiring, retaining, and equipping the best-qualified officers and city support staff in order to fulfill the roles of being public servants. In every aspect, regardless of the department assignment, role, or function, the job can be overwhelmingly demanding but can be incredibly rewarding. We tend to see people on one of their worst days, but hopefully, we can bring a little order and peace to their chaos.”
“I am most thankful for the opportunity that God has allowed me to lead this department into a new era of policing and I’m grateful for the confidence shown to me by City Manager Chris McCartt, the Board of Mayor and Alderman, and the Leadership Team of the city. Lastly and most importantly, I’m especially grateful for the support and understanding of my wife of 40 years, Jennifer, my daughters and sons-in-law, and my 8 wonderful grandbabies.”
The City of Kingsport will begin a selection process in the coming months to replace Chief Phipps by posting the position to the city’s website. “I am very confident that our succession planning within the organization is strong and sustainable and will provide a very qualified leader and front-runner to be among the field of candidates” Phipps concluded.
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Arnold
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749
BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov
