Training / Personnel

The Training/Personnel Unit is responsible for critical functions within the police department. First and foremost, they are to ensure that all personnel receive the proper training and certification for each person’s job assignment/rank. These assignments range from police officer to communications specialist to jailer to records clerk, and all the varied support positions. The Training Staff works closely with outside agencies and academies in the development of training programs for basic recruits and experienced officers.

The Training/Personnel Unit assists in the administration of the selection process for police officer twice each year. This process consists of administering a written examination, conducting a physical agility test for the candidates who pass the written examination, and scheduling an oral interview for the applicants who successfully pass the physical agility test. In 2007, 229 persons applied for employment with the Kingsport Police Department, and 141 completed the written examination. Of those, 50 passed the written examination and physical agility test, and 48 appeared before an Oral Review Board. Fifteen applicants were hired.

Once hired, the recruit is supervised by the Training Unit throughout his/her academy and field training. This unit is also responsible for the certification and continuing education of senior personnel, developing lesson plans/curriculum for training courses, and maintaining specialized certifications; i.e., Bomb and Arson Technicians. State law requires annual training for police officers, jailers, dispatchers, and record clerks. A total of 26,556.75 hours of training occurred in 2007. Nine new recruits received police academy training during 2007. Four officers were hired who did not require police academy training. The number of training hours is strongly affected by the turnover rate in employees. The turnover rate in 2007 increased from 2006.

• Employment
• Citizens Academy
• BSA Explorers

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Personnel Training Hours
                  1997     1998     1999     2000     2001     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2007

Dispatch . . . .  2,732    1,724    1,871    3,464    1,366     982      430    1,672    1,367    3,140    2,886
Records  . . . .    472      608      504      281       56      48       32      468        2       88    1,060
Jail/Support . .  1,882    1,190    1,038    1,094      288     666     1296      761      844      460    1,798
Sworn  . . . . . 12,992   15,244   16,079   16,022   13,091  13,994   10,407   18,665   13,217   14,954   20,813 


Sworn Personnel Length of Service
0-5 . . . . . . . 25%
6-10  . . . . . . 18%
11-15 . . . . . . 17%
16-20 . . . . . . 18%
21-25 . . . . . . 14%
26+   . . . . . .  8%


Sworn Personnel by Age Group
20-29 . . . . . . 16%
30-39 . . . . . . 38%
40-49 . . . . . . 35%
50-59 . . . . . .  9%
60+ . . . . . . .  1%


Sworn Employee Education Levels
Masters . . . . . . . . .  4
4+ YR College . . . . . .  6
BS/BA . . . . . . . . . . 28
4  YR College . . . . . .  5
3  YR College . . . . . .  6
Associate   . . . . . . .  7
2  YR College . . . . . . 13
1  YR College . . . . . . 15
High School . . . . . . . 18


Summary of Authorized Positions

                              Sworn   Non-Sworn
Administration                   8       30
Jail                                      7
Training                         3
Crininal Investigation Div.     20        1
Patrol Devision                 79
Animal Control Officer                    2
Central Dispatch                 1       18
Communications Service/Repair             3
Department Total               111       61


Employee Comparison
                   Sworn  Non-Sworn
2007 . . . . . . . .108      60
2006 . . . . . . . .105      61
2005 . . . . . . . .101      58
2004 . . . . . . . .100      57
2003 . . . . . . . .100      57
2002 . . . . . . . . 98      57
2001 . . . . . . . . 99      57
2000 . . . . . . . . 99      58
1999 . . . . . . . . 99      58
1998 . . . . . . . . 99      58 
1997 . . . . . . . . 97      53
1996 . . . . . . . . 95      52
1995 . . . . . . . . 96      52