Oct. 26, 2020

Police chief announces multiple promotions, new assignments

Johnson City Police Chief Karl Turner on Tuesday announced four recent promotions within the department. The promotional process consists of a written test, job-specific written exercises, and an assessment/interview. In addition, candidates’ work histories are evaluated and points are awarded for education level.

“The officers being promoted are taking another well-earned and important step in their law enforcement careers,” said Chief Turner. “I commend their hard work and their commitment to excellence as they work collectively to advance the organization.”

Reggie Sparks has been promoted to lieutenant for Platoon 2, replacing Lt. Keith Sexton who is returning to the Training Unit.

Sparks spent eight years in the United States Navy before beginning his law enforcement career with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in 1998. During that time he served as a correction officer, deputy sheriff and member of the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Response Team. Sparks joined the Johnson City Police Department in 2005 as a patrol officer before his promotion to sergeant in 2013. He has served as a field training officer and is currently a member of the traffic reconstruction team. Sparks is a graduate of the Southeastern Leadership Academy and was named the local American Legion Officer of the Year for 2020.

John Chapman has been promoted to sergeant. A graduate of East Tennessee State University, Chapman began his law enforcement career with the Johnson City Police Department in 2007. He is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served in combat operations during the Iraq War.

During his time with the department, Chapman has served as a patrol officer, member of the traffic unit and the traffic crash reconstruction team, criminal investigator and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team member. Chapman will be reassigned from the Criminal Investigations Division to Platoon 1.

Andy Clevinger, a 23-year veteran with the Johnson City Police Department, has been promoted to sergeant in the Training Unit. During his time with the department he has served as a patrol officer, traffic homicide investigator, criminal investigator, “Project Safe Neighborhood” Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) task force officer, and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team member/leader. Most recently he served as the department’s training officer.

Jeff Legault, has been promoted to sergeant. Legault graduated from Milligan College in 1996 and began his career with Johnson City Police Department in 2005. Early in his career he served as a patrol officer, member of the traffic unit and member of the traffic homicide team. Legault became a K9 handler in 2010. In 2016, he joined the special investigative squad in the Criminal Investigations Division. A year later he was appointed as officer in charge of the K9 unit, a position he continues to hold, and was appointed officer in charge of the special investigations squad in 2020. He will remain in the Criminal Investigations Division.

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