City of Johnson City Police Department 601 E . Main St. Johnson City, TN 37601 www.JohnsonCityTN.org 423.434.6100
To the Johnson City Community, As your Chief of Police, I want to speak to you as a public servant and a fellow member of this community — a community that has endured pain, asked hard questions, and demanded better from those who serve and protect it. In the past, there have been deficiencies in some investigations of sexual assault cases that did not meet the standard of care and professionalism that our community expects and deserves. These shortcomings have deeply impacted survivors and caused a deterioration of trust in our Department. For that, I am truly sorry. Since stepping into this role, my mission has been to lead the Johnson City Police Department into a new era grounded in compassion, accountability, and survivor-centered practices. We have taken significant steps to improve how we respond to sexual assault, including the creation of a dedicated Special Victims Unit, trauma-informed training for all officers, and the implementation of new investigative protocols aligned with national best practices. We have also worked to strengthen our partnerships with advocacy organizations and to ensure that victims are supported throughout the investigative process. We are committed to transparency, growth, and continuous improvement in all aspects of our work. I am proud of our Department’s progress, but I also recognize that our responsibility to you doesn’t end here. Earning and maintaining the trust of our community is an ongoing commitment. I promise we will continue to reflect, listen, and take action to improve every day. To the survivors who came forward and every community member who has pushed for change, your voices matter and have led to fundamental, lasting improvements. Johnson City deserves a police department that serves with integrity and compassion. I am honored to lead that charge and promise to always do so with humility and purpose. Billy Church Chief of Police Johnson City Police Department