Chief Billy Church of the Johnson City Police Department has set a date for his retirement. After three decades on the force and a notable tenure as chief beginning in May 2023, Church has announced he will retire in November. His tenure saw sweeping reforms aimed at amplifying public safety and modernizing department operations, as reported in a recent city press release.
Church's efforts extended to internal policies, where he revised uniform standards and addressed personal appearance policies to align with contemporary societal expectations. Notably, under his leadership there was a spike in new police applicants, one that may stem from his drive to improve professional standards within the department. However, not only did he concern himself with the outward face of the department, but he also bolstered training with trauma-informed practices and the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training program, according to Johnson City's official news release.
Accountability within the force became a pillar of Church's approach, signified by outfitting all officers with body-worn cameras and inaugurating an Office of Professional Standards to oversee conduct and practices. The department has also seen significant tech upgrades in their reporting systems infrastructure.
Community safety and support have been central to Church's strategy, leading to the establishment of a Special Victims Unit, focused on bringing justice and support in cases pertaining to sexual assault and crimes against both children and vulnerable adults. These efforts extended to the homeless population, with the appointment of full-time homeless outreach coordinators who have been integral in housing 173 individuals this past year. Moreover, visibility in the community was enhanced through a new substation downtown designed to sharpen response times. “I’d say what I’m most proud of is the individual officers here at the Johnson City Police Department,” Church told the city's official news release. “I’d put them up against any department in the world. They are remarkable men and women of integrity and dedication, and our community is in the most trusted hands I can imagine moving forward.”
In acknowledging Church’s upcoming departure, City Manager Cathy Ball and Mayor John Hunter have expressed their gratitude for his devotion to enhancing the police service in Johnson City. Hunter lauded the chief for instilling a culture of accountability and dependability that will outlast his leadership, as was shared in the same press release. Chief Church's last day at the helm of the JCPD will be November 3, with the city already on the lookout for someone to carry the torch of his transformative work.
