The non-sworn Volunteer Services Program was established in 1987 with eight active members. Over the past eighteen years we have seen the number of volunteers fluctuate between ten and thirty members with an average number over the past five years of twenty-four. The Volunteers provide a very valuable resource to the Kingsport Police Department with the man hours they provide. Currently twenty-one volunteers provide a number of different services including the following:

1. Handicapped Parking Enforcement throughout the City and two hour parking violations on Broad Street.
2. Administrative Services, (i.e. data entry, receptionist duties, and some courier duty).
3. Traffic Control assistance, Speed Awareness Trailer display, Traffic Seatbelt Surveys.
4. Civilian Fingerprinting for non-criminal purposes.
5. Public Relations Assistance, (i.e. Neighborhood Watch programs, Homeland Security Programs, Youth Safety Programs using puppets, Child ID kit/gun safety lock distribution, and any other programs approved by the Public Relations Officer.
6. Special Events such as Parades and Fun Fest.

During the 2007 calendar year, volunteers logged 2479.5 hours of service to the department and issued a total of 1440 citations, primarily for Handicapped Parking violations. This is a decrease of 3087.5 hours of service and a decrease of 317 citations issued. The Kingsport Police Department volunteers are proud members of the National Citizen Corp VIPs (Volunteers in Police Service) program.

In August 2002 the KPD began a joint venture with the Kingsport Parks and Recreation to organize a citizens Greenbelt Safety Patrol to supplement the KPD presence. These volunteer are regular users of the Greenbelt who have been screened and trained, much like a neighborhood watch, to look for and report any unusual activities that they or other users observe, as well as report any maintenance issues, and summon emergency personel as needed to the 8 plus mile walking trail.

Volunteers are especially needed with clerical work typing police reports and entering citations into the court system. There are never enough people working parking enforcement, where volunteers patrol downtown until 8PM enforcing the two hour limit and citing unauthorized vehicles in handicapped spots.

Volunteers occasionally help out the communications officers or jailers when things get busy, but are not given any duties that would put them in harm's way.

The department currently has over two dozen volunteers, but has needs for many more. Volunteers need to be at least 18 for most jobs and willing to work eight hours a month. Arrangements can be made to help fit volunteers schedule.

The volunteer contact is Lieutenant Jenny Abernathy at 229-9497, 8-5 Monday- Friday.