Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department• www.KingsportPDBlog.com

Detective Erik Steele is a veteran officer assigned to the Kingsport Police Department Criminal Investigations Division. On November 18, 2022 he graduated from the University of Tennessee National Forensic Academy (NFA) in Oak Ridge, TN. The NFA is an intensive 10-week training program in evidence identification, collection, and preservation. The NFA utilizes curriculum developed by leading forensic practitioners from across the United States. Participants are challenged in the various disciplines through classroom instruction, lab activities, and field practicums in the specialized courses. The goal of the Academy is to prepare the crime scene investigator to recognize key elements and to improve the process of evidence recovery and submission.

Detective Jason Powers is a veteran officer assigned to the Kingsport Police Department Criminal Investigations Division. On October 7, 2022 he graduated from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) State Academy. The TBI State Academy was created as a professional and prestigious training ground for Tennessee law enforcement officers to expand their education and training in the criminal justice field and is geared toward advancing techniques, science, and strategy for the law enforcement community. It is a five-day-a-week commitment for four weeks and includes a focus on leadership development, constitutional law, interview and interrogation, crime scene investigation, and undercover cases.

Officer Matt McGuire is a veteran officer assigned to the Kingsport Police Department Traffic Unit. Among his many professional qualifications, he is a Certified Crash Reconstructionist and a Certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). The DRE certification is a highly advanced skillset that goes well beyond basic Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) to establish not only that a particular motorist is impaired, but what specific alcohol or drug classification the motorist is under the influence of. On December 15, 2022, Officer McGuire was presented with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) Drug Recognition Expert of the Year Award.

Officer Cody Buchanan was sworn in with the Kingsport Police Department on July 5, 2022 and graduated from the Blount County Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy on November 4, 2022. At his academy graduation, Officer Buchanan was presented with the William D. Nuchols Outstanding Officer Award for overall excellence in his class, which is the most prestigious award presented by the academy. Officer Buchanan is currently assigned to Patrol as he completes the K.P.D. Field Training Program.

Officer Jaylon Strayhorn was sworn in with the Kingsport Police Department on August 22, 2022 and graduated from the Walters State Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy on December 1, 2022. At his academy graduation, Officer Strayhorn was presented with the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police (TACP) Outstanding Achievement Award for overall excellence in his class, which is the most prestigious award presented by the academy. Officer Strayhorn is currently assigned to Patrol as he completes the K.P.D. Field Training Program.

“I am extremely proud of these officers for these significant achievements in their career development,” said Chief of Police Dale Phipps. “I applaud them for representing the Kingsport Police Department and the City of Kingsport at the highest level. Congratulations gentlemen on a job well done!”

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

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