KINGSPORT – The Kingsport Police Department received more than $100,000 in federal funds to purchase much-needed equipment, and training, officials claimed.
After the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved it last year, the department received $104,900 in American Rescue Plan Act funds.
KPD Commander Sean Chambers explained that ARPA funds helped him get training and buy things he wouldn’t have otherwise been able. We will use the vast majority of this equipment to make our job easier and safer than it is now.
From a first round funding, the city received $5 million in federal funds in November. The city will receive $5 million more funding in May. Recently, the board discussed options for how to spend that money.
For the police department, it was capable of sending an officer to Oak Ridge’s National Forensic Academy to purchase new equipment like indoor drones, headsets, new uniforms, and even new uniforms.
13 new headsets were purchased by the police department for the SWAT Team. Officials said they will arrive in 10 months.
Tom Patton is the department’s public information officer. He stated that they are replacing equipment almost 10 years old and out of date.
The department also purchased 150 trauma kit, a first purchase.
The department issues combat tourniquets for every officer, but has not issued medical equipment like chest seals or trauma bandages. Patton said. While many officers have purchased this equipment in the past, it is the first time the department has provided it.
Other purchases included low-rise adapters for holsters, new uniforms that are lighter, wind and more water resistant, and additional mobile radar units.
The Justice Center also received new cameras, which replaced outdated cameras and covered additional blind spots.
The police department also purchased two new military-grade drones for use inside buildings. Both drones can be controlled by one pad. Users can switch between drones.
Patton explained that the police department already has two drones and has had a drone team since years ago. These drones can only fly outside.
The new drones are changing that.
They are smaller than other types and are designed to fly indoors. They can be used to monitor and communicate in enclosed areas.
