The City of Kingsport has officially appointed Jason Bellamy as the new Chief of Police, a role he will assume on June 29, taking over from retiring Chief Dale Phipps, the city announced. Kingsport's city manager, Chris McCartt, highlighted Bellamy's impactful leadership track record in a statement obtained by the city's official news release. McCartt expressed confidence that Bellamy will lead with a vision of enhanced public safety and fortifying community bonds.
Bellamy's expansive career with the Kingsport Police Department began in 1998, and over nearly three decades, he has served in various capacities including Patrol Officer, Detective, Training Sergeant, Watch Commander, he reached the rank of Captain of Operations, and ultimately culminated in the position of Deputy Chief in April 2021, during his tenure, he also had several specialized roles such as Honor Guard and Hostage Negotiator. As Deputy Chief, Bellamy has been overseeing the day-to-day operations of the department, a role he stepped into after his promotion last year.
Expressing his eagerness to step into his new role, Bellamy told the City of Kingsport government, "I’ve had the distinct pleasure of serving alongside the wonderful men and women of this department for the past 27 years and I am confident that we are equipped with some of the finest officers the profession has to offer." His commitment to continuity and excellence is clear as he plans to build on the culture established by his predecessor, Chief Phipps.
A native of Hawkins County and a Kingsport resident since 2012 Bellamy, along with his wife of nearly 27 years, has raised two adult children, he is also well-educated, boasting a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education from ETSU, and he holds certifications from the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico and the National Forensic Academy in Knoxville. Bellamy approaches his new position with gratitude and a sense of duty saying, "I am grateful for the opportunity City Manager McCartt has afforded me, and I will work diligently to ensure that we provide the professional police services that our citizens expect and deserve," as per the City of Kingsport.
