Introduction to the Kingsland Police Department

As the City of Kingsland has grown in area size and population, the need for expanded state of the art Law Enforcement services has grown proportionately.

The Police Department provides Law Enforcement service to an area measuring over 44 square miles and serves a growing population of over 14,000 full time residents plus large numbers of employed non-residents and visitors to the City of Kingsland. The City of Kingsland is currently the seventh largest city in the state of Georgia by land mass. 

In order to provide progressive service, the Police Department employs 49 people. Of those 46 are sworn law enforcement professionals making up the patrol, investigative and administrative divisions of the department.  The Department also employs 3 non-sworn members who make up the clerical staff and animal control. 

In order to serve the population of the City, the Department operates from a new state of the art building located at the intersection of Boone Street and May Creek Road.  This building, which opened in late 2007 houses the Office of the Assistant Chief, the Patrol Division, the Training Division and the Community Partnership Division.  It also houses the City of Kingsland's Welcome Center and a municipal payment center on the lower floor as well as various city government offices.  The Department's main Headquarters is located at 111 South Seaboard Street which in in the historic downtown area.  This building houses the Office of the Chief, Support Services, Professional Standards, Investigative Services and Crime Scene/Evidence as well as the clerical staff.   

Vision

The shared vision of the members of the Kingsland Police Department is to make the City of Kingsland one of the safest places in the nation to live, work, and vacation.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Kingsland Police Department, empowered by the community, the government and the organizations; is to provide competent and courteous service to all citizens and to all visitors of the community in their homes and places of business ensuring them of an environment in which they can enjoy a high quality of life characterized by both physical safety and personal freedom.

Values
In support of our mission, members of the Kingsland Police Department are committed to upholding the following values.

+ We value upholding the laws in an ethical, impartial, courteous and professional manner while 
   respecting the rights and dignity of all persons.

+ We will be compassionate and provide assistance to victims and those in need.

+ We value promoting a sense of trust and respect for all people, including those in our agency.

+ We value that the police and the community share in the responsibility for crime control and public
   safety and that the role of the police is defined by the community that it serves.

+ We value and encourage problem solving, creative risk taking, initiative, and affecting change.

+ We will recognize and reward those who contribute to the development of more effective ways of
   providing police services, and those who apply creative solutions to problems.

+ We recognize that growth and learning are positive consequences of honest mistakes.

+ We value the reduction and prevention of crime through community partnerships, and problem
   solving.

+ We value the team concept. Successful completion of the task is more important than who
   gets credit for the work.

+ We value and believe in high professional standards of integrity, ethics and behavior, guided by the
   letter, and spirit of the law, and the law enforcement code of ethics.

+ We will act appropriately, responsibly, and require the same of others. 

Kingsland Police Department Code of Ethics

The Kingsland Police Department has long stood for the safety and protection of the citizens it serves. The public, rightfully, can expect professional and courteous service when it so demands. The image the members of the department present, both on and off duty, serves as a tool for the public to measure the level of professionalism of the Department. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all members of the Department to guard their actions cautiously and for all personnel to abide by the following Offices’ code of ethics.

"As a member of the Kingsland Police Department, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all persons to liberty, equality and justice.

I will act in the execution of my duties with integrity, dignity, and honor to merit the trust of the community and the profession, and apply honesty, skill, judgment, and initiative to contribute positively to the well-being of society.

I will treat people with dignity, good faith and equity; without discrimination; and have consideration for the values and cultural sensitivities of all groups within the community affected by my work.

I will follow recognized professional practice, and provide services and advice carefully and diligently only within my areas of competence.

I will develop my knowledge, skills, and expertise continuously through my career; contribute to the collective wisdom of the profession; and actively encourage my associates to do likewise.

I will advise my supervisor of any interest I have which may be, or may be perceived as being, in conflict with the interests of the public I serve or the agency, or which may affect the quality of my services or my impartial judgment. I will refrain from furthering my own interests when such conflict or perceived conflict arises unless and until I receive direction from my supervisor.

I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self‑restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others, honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life. I will be exemplary in observing the laws of the land and the regulations of my agency. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.

I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.

I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held as long as I am true to the ethics of law enforcement service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and dedicate myself before God to my chosen profession; law enforcement."

What is Bias-Based Policing?

The selection of individual(s) based solely on a trait common to a group for enforcement action. This includes but is not limited to: race, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, religion, economic status, age, cultural group or any other identifiable group.

Kingsland Police Department Policy

It is the policy of the Kingsland Police Department to patrol in a proactive manner, to aggressively investigate suspicious persons and circumstances, and to actively enforce the motor vehicle laws, while insisting that citizens will only be stopped or detained when there exists reasonable suspicion to believe they have committed, are committing, or about to commit, an infraction of law.

How to Report Bias-Based Policing

Citizens who feel they have been stopped or searched due to bias-based policing are encouraged to file a complaint with the Police Department. Complaints may be filed in person, by mail, electronic mail, or by telephone. To file a complaint in writing or by e-mail please include all the facts, names, dates, and places known.

Please include as much detail as possible.

ALL COMPLAINTS WILL BE INVESTIGATED.

Regular mail may be sent to:

Lt. Todd Tetterton
Kingsland Police Department
Office of Professional Standards
111 South Seaboard St. P.O. Box 1658
Kingsland, Georgia 31548

You may Email or by calling (912) 729 - 8257

You may also file a complaint by visiting our office.

Kingsland Police Department
111 South Seaboard Street
Kingsland, Georgia 31548
(912) 729 – 8254

Information needed for a complaint.

Have dates, times, names and descriptions available for the investigator at the time of complaint. Provide as much detail as possible. Also provide information about where you may be contacted during the investigation.