New innovations in 2010
Transcription
New innovations in 2010
Westerville Division of Police Annual report ...New innovations in 2010 Table of Contents Letter from the Chief ................................................................................................... iv Core Values & Mission Statement .............................................................................. v City of Westerville ....................................................................................................... 1 Command Staff............................................................................................................. 2 Departmental Profile ................................................................................................... 3 Awards .......................................................................................................................... 6 Honor Guard ................................................................................................................ 10 Budget ........................................................................................................................... 11 Crime Statistics............................................................................................................. 12 Part I Crimes ................................................................................................................ 13 Part II Crimes ............................................................................................................... 14 Crime Comparison ....................................................................................................... 15 Service Calls and Arrest Data ..................................................................................... 16 Traffic Citation and Accident Statistics ..................................................................... 17 Administration (Letter from the Deputy Chief) ........................................................ 18 Professional Standards and Training ......................................................................... 19 Community Services Bureau ....................................................................................... 20 Chief for a Day ............................................................................................................. 22 Cops and Kids Day ....................................................................................................... 23 D.A.R.E. ........................................................................................................................ 24 National Night Out ....................................................................................................... 25 P.A.L.S. / SIDNE .......................................................................................................... 26 Self Defense for Women............................................................................................... 27 Serving Our Seniors Day ............................................................................................. 28 Westerville Citizen Police Academy ........................................................................... 29 iii Table of Contents Youth Police Adademy ................................................................................................ 30 Animal Control ............................................................................................................. 31 Detective Bureau .......................................................................................................... 32 Patrol Bureau ............................................................................................................... 35 Accident Investigation Unit ......................................................................................... 42 Aerial Enforcement Unit ............................................................................................. 43 Bike Patrol .................................................................................................................... 45 Field Training Unit ...................................................................................................... 46 K-9 Unit. ........................................................................................................................ 47 Delaware Tactical Unit ................................................................................................ 48 Records Bureau ........................................................................................................ …49 Community Impact/V.I.P.S. ........................................................................................ 52 Neighborhood Watch ................................................................................................... 53 Path Watch ................................................................................................................... 54 Chaplain Corps............................................................................................................. 55 Police Explorer Post #29 .............................................................................................. 56 Reserve Officer Program ............................................................................................. 57 Westerville Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association ......................................... 58 Special Olympics Torch Run....................................................................................... 59 iii iv Letter from the Chief A year of INNOVATION! This past year has brought us significant advances in operations and technology—the most noteworthy being the launch of our Aerial Enforcement efforts and the beginning of the implementation of our new Computer Aided Dispatching and Records Management Systems (C.A.D. /R.M.S.). Over the past several years we had witnessed an increase in catastrophic traffic crashes in the Polaris area. In order to address this issue we conducted a traffic study. We found that in the targeted period of 48 hours, three vehicles exceeded 100 M.P.H. and over two hundred exceeded 70 M.P.H. As a result of this information, a proposal was presented to conduct Aerial Enforcement. This called for leasing the services of a private pilot and airplane. During the six month trial period of this program, speeds were reduced by an average of 14 M.P.H. and we also experienced a reduction in crashes. Most importantly, we were able to reduce the number of injury crashes and eliminate fatalities. Aerial Enforcement continues to be a very successful data driven policing initiative and will continue into the future. One of the largest and most impactful initiatives our organization has ever undertaken is the conversion of our C.A.D./R.M.S. (Computer Aided Dispatching/Records Management System). Our past system was antiquated and cumbersome. This conversion will affect every facet of our operations. With the new system, officers will be able to improve reporting which will result in a more efficient and effective overall operation. This system also provides officers with the ability to mine data at the frontline level in real time. While the public will experience no difference in service, staff will be working extremely hard to implement the system in order to serve the public to our greatest ability. Again this year we witnessed a reduction in the overall crime rate. In 2010 the crime rate dropped by 8%. This is a three year trend that we attribute to a more active policing philosophy. This does not consist of just the officers’ actions but also with the relationships we have built with citizens, especially the Neighborhood Watches. Currently we have over forty Neighborhood Watches. Members of these groups have committed to partnering to keep their neighborhoods safer. With their assistance we have been able to more actively address criminal activities. While this has been a very busy year behind the scenes, our staff and volunteers have continued to perform beyond expectations in order to serve our citizens. Please take time to review our activities in this report. Thank you for your continued support in making Westerville one of the greatest places to live, work and recreate! iv v Our Core Values & Mission Statement Westerville Division of Police Integrity Loyalty Do what is right, legally and Give support and allegiance ethically, fulfilling your duties to the Country, Community, and taking responsibility for Division, and our staff. your actions. Honesty Be truthful at all times. v Responsibility Westerville, ohio STATISTICS Population Number of Households Age Under 18 24-39 39-64 Over 65 Area of City Paved Streets Bikeway Miles Per Capita Income Median Household Income Schools 36,120 14,467 26.8% 17.7% 54.3% 10.4% 12.473 Square Miles 104.7 Miles 28 Miles $29,401 per 2000 Census $69,135 per 2000 Census 2 High Schools 3 Middle Schools 14 Elementary Schools COUNCIL MEMBERS Chair Mike Heyeck Vice Chair Craig Treneff Mayor Kathy Cocuzzi Vice Mayor Eric Busch Diane Fosselman Larry Jenkins Jenifer French CITY MANAGER David Collinsworth ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER Julie Colley 2 Command Staff Deputy Chief Del Robeson Administration Administration Lieutenant Jeff Gaylor Lieutenant Tracey Myers Lieutenant John Petrozzi Patrol Bureau Community Services Bureau Detective Bureau 2 Chief Joseph Morbitzer 3 Departmental Profile In 1960, the Westerville Division of Police consisted of 7 full-time officers. There are currently 74 sworn officers. Allocation of Personnel for 2010 22% 46% 4% 18% Patrol Bureau Detective Bureau Community Services Administration Supervisors 3 11% 4 Departmental Profile (cont.) Average Years of Service with Westerville Total Personnel (74) 13.44 Supervisors 16.73 Community Services 21.75 Detectives 16.07 Administration 16 All Patrol Officers Average Years of Service with Westerville, based of 74 officers 9.02 10.91 1st Shift 2nd Shift 7 3rd Shift 9.2 0 5 10 15 20 25 Prior Service Years with Another Police Agency Total Personnel (29) 7.23 Supervisors 6.2 Community Service 1.5 Detectives Prior years of service with another agency, Based on 29 of 74 officers with prior service 4.42 Administration 1.34 All Patrol Officers 4.54 3.15 1st shift 2nd shift 3.78 8.83 0 2 4 6 8 10 4 3rd shift 5 Departmental Profile (cont.) 36.72 ift ift sh d 3r 2n d sh hi ft 1s ts s lP at ro lO ffi ce r 35.6 37.1 36.41 41.69 es ec D et Se r To ta m un ity tiv vi ce so rs s 43.62 40.2 Su p er vi el so nn Pe r or n lS w To ta C om Officer Education Level 1% 4% High School Associate's Degree 40% 37% Bachelor's Degree Masters Degree Doctorate 18% 5 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 47.1 Average Age of Officers 6 Awards Officer of the Year Officer David Leighty has led WPD in traffic stops, citations, and arrests for the last few years. His criminal and drug interdiction skills have afforded him the opportunity to educate fellow officers and enhance drug enforcement efforts. Officer Leighty examined recent trends in drug interdiction and was able to suggest more effective and efficient alternatives for officers to use in the field. Not only did he create his own drug recognition course, which will be utilized for 2011 in-service training, but he also provided this information to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Intelligence Unit. Officer Leighty is one of the most dependable, productive, hard-working officers in the Division. His dedication to public service is evident by his work ethic and positive up-beat attitude. His reports are very thorough and his investigations are always completed to the best of his ability. He possesses a true sense of duty. Reserve Officer of the Year Reserve Officer Jeremy Domoslawski is one of the most dedicated reserve officers at the Westerville Police Department. Although reserve officers are only required to work a total of 16 hours a month to maintain their status, he has, on many occasions, worked full-time hours riding and training with other officers. He is eager to learn and is always willing to assist the Division in any capacity. In addition, he is a dedicated mentor for the WPD Explorer Program and has volunteered countless hours mentoring young adults. Civilian of the Year Records Technician Gene Hunter’s greatest attribute is his attitude. On any given day, Gene is always willing to “go the extra mile” to assist the Division. Prior to his retirement in 2003, he had served WPD as a patrol officer and as a detective. He has continued to be a great employee in our Records Division. At one point, Gene was responsible for managing the majority of photography applications for the Division. His knowledge of photography has since developed into a personal hobby and he takes great pride in his talent. 6 7 Awards (cont.) Exceptional Duty Award The Exceptional Duty Award is given to a sworn officer for the performance of an act or acts over a period of time under conditions where bravery or other outstanding performance of duty brought personal public acclaim or recognition to the Division or the law enforcement profession in general. This is not considered above and beyond the call of duty. The following officer was given this award: Officer T.J. Ryan Honorable Service Award The Honorable Service Award is given to any employee for an outstanding accomplishment that has resulted in improved administration, operations, or substantial savings in staffing or operational costs, where the employee has gone above and beyond the requirements of their assignment. The following employees received this award: Sergeant Paul Scowden Officer Dan Pignatelli Educational Achievement Award The Educational Achievement Award is awarded to any employee upon satisfactory completion of an associate, bachelors, masters, or doctorate degree at an accredited university, college, or technical school. The following employees received this award: Officer Dan Betts, Master of Science, University of Cincinnati Officer Dan Pignatelli, PhD, Business Administration with a specialization in Criminal Justice, Northcentral University Civilian Service Award The Civilian Service Award is awarded to a private citizen or city employee who performs an act or acts of bravery in aiding (or attempting to aid) another citizen or sworn officer of the Division. Acts not amounting to bravery where necessary assistance is rendered to save the life of a citizen or sworn officer of the Division, or outstanding assistance rendered to the community or the Division are also considerations for the award. The following citizens were awarded the Civilian Service Award: Michael Weathington Communications Technician Amy Dent 7 Michelle Van Voorhis 8 Awards (cont.) Lifesaving Award The Lifesaving Medal is awarded to any employee for an act performed in the line of duty, which through disregard of personal safety or prompt and alert action, results in saving a life. The following employees were awarded the Life Saving medal: Officer Kurt Nightingale Officer Keith Jackson Officer Gary Allen Officer T.J. Ryan Reserve Officer James Teegarden Communications Technician Amy Dent Service Above Self Award The Service Above Self Award is presented by the Westerville Sunrise Rotary and recognizes those who make a significant contribution of time and effort to improve the quality of life for citizens of Westerville and Central Ohio. Pharol Kaufman, Patrol Secretary Kippy Shurman, Communications Tech Congratulations to Detective Brett Peachey and Officer Steve Grubbs for receiving the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for their work on the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Congratulations to Detective Rick Tiburzio for receiving the Veterans of Foreign Wars 2010 Officer of the Year Award. Congratulations to Lieutenant John Petrozzi for winning the American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. We say goodbye to those who retired: Officer Bill Shaw, #477, 20 years of service We welcome new employees: Officer Dan Williams #541, January 2010 Officer Dan Ruth #542, June 2010 8 9 Awards (cont.) We would like to congratulate staff for their years of service to the citizens of Westerville: 0-5 years 6-10 years cont. 16-20 years Officer Dan Ruth Detective Bryan Schwartz Lieutenant Jon Scowden Officer Dan Williams Officer Jon Snyder Detective Mike Pavolino Alicia Gibbs Corporal Brian Spoon Officer Doug Staysniak Julie Reid Officer Guy Cerino Carol Estep Pam Bobo Sergeant Charles Chandler Officer Adam Dross Bonnie Enke Officer Chad Campese Corporal Greg Franey Officer Dave Leighty Officer Jesse Hibbitt Officer Jeremy Shipman Detective Eric Joering Officer Aaron Dickison Officer Dave Lammert Jennifer Kennedy Detective Greg LaValley Officer Stacey Kenney Officer Kurt Nightingale Deputy Chief Del Robeson Detective Stacy Pentecost Officer Eric Winters Corporal Justin Alloway Officer Mark Wojciechowski Lynn Cline Officer Ryan Aspey Officer Jeff Dixon Officer Chris Davis Detective Larry French Officer Brian Druggan Officer Steve Grubbs Officer Brian Gavaghan Sergeant Ron McMillin Officer Keith Jackson Officer Dan Pignatelli Officer James Mason Carrie Ryan Kim Stambaugh Sergeant Doug Stephens Officer Matt Ware Detective Russ Moore Lieutenant Tracey Myers Officer John Jeffries Corporal Jack Johnson Officer Dave King Officer Tony Morelli Sergeant Tony Rudd Detective Mike Shaheen Detective Ted Smith Officer Alison Moran Sharon West Officer Gary Allen Officer Cory Baker Officer Jeff Beachler Glenda Case Officer Doug Dietz Chief Joseph Morbitzer Officer Jon Baer Corporal Jon Bagwell Sergeant Steve Fridley Officer Dan Hord 11-15 years Officer Shellie Patrick Officer Tom Bobovnyk Phil Pennnington Mike Beekman Sue Workman Pharol Kaufman Gene Hunter Officer Tim Wright Officer Dan Betts Officer TJ Ryan Sharon DeAngelo Detective Scott Dollison Officer Carrie O’Neil Detective Brett Peachey Lieutenant Jeff Gaylor 26-30 years Officer Randy Bailey Officer Rick Tiburzio Officer Ray Boock Phil Pennington Officer Erin Peachey 30+ years Detective Tim Ray Gene Hunter 9 6-10 years 21-25 years 10 The Honor Guard Unit has been in existence since 1989. The Westerville Honor Guard Unit serves not only the police department and City of Westerville, but the entire law enforcement profession. The Unit participates in parades, ceremonial events, funerals and other conference gatherings, including the National Peace Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. and the Ohio Peace Officers Memorial. The Honor Guard participated in 17 different events in 2010. Honor Guard Unit The Westerville Division of Police Honor Guard Unit is comprised of ten members, including Chief Morbitzer, Lieutenant Petrozzi, Sergeant Scowden, Corporal Johnson, Corporal Bagwell, Detective Pavolino, Officer Staysniak, Officer Ryan, Officer Baer, and Officer Druggan. 10 11 Budget The General Fund is the primary funding mechanism for the Westerville Division of Police. In 2010, the Division’s operating budget was $12,315,874. Division Budget $511, 204 $10,855,419 $657,735 $291,516 Personnel Services Supplies and Materials Services and Charges Capital Outlay The Division also leverages seized drug assets through state and federal forfeiture programs. Not only have these programs been extremely successful in severely hampering the ability of drug traffickers to acquire assets with money derived from illegal activities, but they have provided additional funding to offset the high costs of improved technology and major equipment purchases. One of the more recognizable seizures obtained by the Division was a 1963 Chevrolet Impala. This vehicle was seized from a drug dealer, converted for police usage, and is currently being utilized in the D. A. R. E. program. In 2010, seizure funds were also used to purchase duty radios, tasers/cartridges, new issue/replacement firearms, rifle accessories, surveillance equipment, video/audio recording devices, and body armor. 11 12 Crime Statistics A total of 3548 offenses were reported this year. For reporting purposes, these crimes are divided into two groups: Part I offenses and Part II offenses. Part I crimes are considered serious while Part II crimes are less severe. Total Criminal Offenses 4000 3500 3548 3876 3958 2000 3669 2500 3271 3000 Total Criminal Offenses 1500 1000 500 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Part I Crimes: There were 983 Part I offenses reported in 2010; a slight increase from 970 Part I offenses reported in 2009. Part II Crimes: There were 2565 Part II offenses reported in 2010.; a decrease from 2906 Part II offenses reported in 2009. 12 13 Part I Crimes 1200 957 925 970 983 Total Violent Crimes 1108 1029 992 600 981 945 800 1079 1000 Total Property Crimes Total Part I Crimes 400 200 47 48 29 45 26 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Violent Crimes 4 0 Murder (0) Rape 13 9 Robbery Part I crimes are broken down between violent crimes and property crimes. Violent crimes are murder, rape, robbery, and felonious/aggravated assault. These crimes may result in serious harm or death. Property crimes are burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. These crimes involve property that is stolen or damaged. Felonious Assault Property Crimes 8 12 125 Burglary Larceny Motor Vehicle Theft Arson 812 13 Since Part I crimes include serious offenses, they are reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation each year for the Uniform Crime Reports. 14 Part II Crimes 3000 2565 2906 2640 1500 2279 2000 2850 2500 Part II Crimes 1000 500 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 All other crimes not identified as Part I crimes are categorized as Part II crimes. These include crimes such as drug abuse, telecommunications harassment, criminal damaging, simple assault, disorderly conduct, and O.V.I. In Westerville, the majority of calls for service are generated from Part II crimes. Crimes Divided by Group 27% Part I Crimes Part II Crimes 73% In 2010, Part I crimes are only about 1/4 of the total crimes. 14 15 Crime Comparison by Type 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 Change Fel/A gg A ssault 6 5 11 4 -64% Ro bbery 24 12 15 9 -40% B urglary 99 94 102 90 -12% B &E 56 74 30 35 17% Theft 524 527 433 456 5% A uto Theft 20 19 11 12 9% Theft fro m Vehicle 139 173 153 172 12% Sho plifting 135 182 185 183 -1% 8 10 11 8 -27% Change A rso n 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 2007 2008 2009 2010 Simple A ssault 191 183 187 172 -8% Criminal Damaging 241 275 249 216 -13% Tele. Harrassment 155 153 155 149 -6% Diso rderly Co nduct 139 127 152 134 -18% Do mestic Vio lence 139 127 98 97 -1% Fo rgery 57 43 72 56 -16% O.V.I. 207 172 161 166 3% Drug A buse 233 420 377 323 -14% Drug P araphernalia 179 289 266 242 -9% Only the more prevalent crimes are referenced in these graphs; they do not represent all types of crime occurring in the city. Percent of change is between years 2009 and 2010. 15 0 16 Service Calls and Arrest Data Calls for Service 42,000 41,000 40,000 39,000 41,603 35,000 34,000 37,498 Total Calls for Service 36,769 36,000 37,076 37,000 35,822 38,000 33,000 32,000 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Arrests 6 82 6 75 900 447 600 339 700 434 421 800 9 85 438 1000 3 97 0 94 Arrests (Adults) 500 202 2006 2007 2008 209 279 216 207 100 195 200 Warrant Arrests 256 172 300 222 400 317 Foreign Arrests 2009 2010 0 Warrants Arrests: Arrests made by Westerville officers due to a warrant issued by a court. Foreign Arrests: Arrests made by Westerville officers on warrants from other jurisdictions. 16 Arrests (Adults): Arrests made on-view by Westerville officers. 17 Traffic Citation and Accident Statistics 7000 6000 6200 6881 5612 5548 4000 6843 5000 Vehicle Accidents Traffic Citations 2007 1220 2006 1128 926 1000 894 2000 1146 3000 2008 2009 2010 0 17 18 Administration Hello, I am Deputy Chief Del Robeson. I have been Deputy Chief since March of 2006. Before joining Westerville PD I spent 23 years with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Sarasota, Florida; although my law enforcement career actually started in 1980 with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office in Springfield, Ohio. My career in Sarasota started with 3 years in the Patrol Bureau working midnight shift before transferring to the Detective Bureau. While assigned to the Detective Bureau I worked a full range of cases, including burglaries, car thefts, and more serious crimes. In 1992 I was promoted to corporal, supervising a squad of detectives assigned to investigating property crimes. In 1994 I was promoted to sergeant, assigned to the Special Investigations Bureau, where our primary responsibility was the investigation of narcotics crimes and violations, but we also investigated gambling and vice cases. In 2000 I received command of the Intelligence Unit, and in 2002 was promoted to Lieutenant, becoming a watch commander in the North District. I served in that capacity until joining Westerville in 2006. The Administrative Bureau/Office of the Deputy Chief in Westerville is comprised of three officers, an administrative assistant, and me. Team members are responsible for updating and maintaining policies and procedure manuals, all training and the tracking of training records for Division employees, fleet maintenance, and equipment purchasing. The mission of the Administrative Bureau is to assure that all policies are current and available to everyone; that our folks receive the best training and equipment required to do the best job they can for the citizens of Westerville. We also support the other bureaus of the Division by helping with staffing needs. The three officers assigned to the bureau worked over 35 shifts in Patrol last year, as well as assisting with training and community programs. During the past year our unit accomplished many exciting projects. We have had all officers medically screened in order to comply with new regulations requiring that first responders be able to wear breathing apparatus for sustained periods of time. We also instituted a response form that officers complete when they return from a training seminar. By gathering this information we can get a better understanding of effective training, both through its cost and value to the officer. We can then decide if we are going to utilize this training again. We have also made great strides toward the completion of the revision of our general orders manual. Over the last 3 years our general orders have been reviewed, revised and updated, which was a huge undertaking. We are very happy with our new manual, now available to our staff in a variety of mediums, from hard copy to internet. We also instituted several procedures that have allowed us to become more efficient in our ability to track training costs and equipment. 2011 promises to be another challenging and innovative year as we continue to implement numerous projects and programs. 18 19 Professional Standards and Training In 2010 we had seven (7) sessions of forty hours of in-service training that included the following topics: 4 Hours of Taser Re-certification 3 Hours of Legal Updates 5 Hours of CPR Re-certification 8 Hours of Rifle Training and Re-certification 4 Hours of Defensive Tactics Training 4 Hours of SIMS Scenario Based Training 8 Hours of Driving Training 4 Hours of Hazmat and Respiratory Protection Program Training The Division initiated a process to medically clear each officer prior to issuing new respiratory protection equipment (gas masks) this year. This physician approval indicates that officers should be able to perform job functions if they have to wear a respirator during an emergency. The Division sent officers to 166 out-of- house training classes. A new evaluation system was put in place to better track and assess the quality of training that officers are receiving. With this evaluation system, we can examine each course on an individual basis and determine the cost effectiveness for future attendees. In 2010, six classes were identified as being below standard. The Division hosted the following classes: Taser International’s two day instructor course Reid and Associate’s three day Street Crimes course 19 20 Community Services Bureau The Community Services Bureau consists of a Lieutenant, Sergeant, eight officers and three civilian staff members. We are responsible for maintaining and enhancing the interaction between the community and the Division of Police. We are always looking for opportunities to share crime prevention tips and to bring officers and citizens together whenever possible. This relationship fosters a partnership between the officers and the community, where the community and the officers work together to make a difference in the community’s quality of life. We do this by holding special events where officers and the community can interact. My favorite program is the Westerville Citizens Police academy. This program is run two times a year; once in the spring and once in the fall. We bring twenty community members into the Division of Police and show them what it is like to be a police officer in the City of Westerville. Officers teach topics like traffic stops, building searches, SWAT demonstration, search and seizure, laws of arrest, and many more. The class is 13 weeks long and it includes dinner, which is a great time for officers and community members to get to know each other. We also give them an up-close review of all the different programs we have. After completing this course, members are able to join our volunteer group, the Westerville Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. This group donates thousands of hours to the City to help run our various programs. Over the years we have developed some great friendships through this class. Another great program is our Youth Academy, although the focus of this program is a little different. Here we focus on recruiting kids that are interested in a career in law enforcement. This program exposes the kids to a mini version of the police academy. It includes a lot of discipline, some marching, and a look into the career of a police officer. One of the goals of this programs is to get the kids out of their shell and to break from the pack and be leaders. We need future police officers who will lead and step in where no one else will. We also try very hard to give them an accurate picture of what being a police officer is like. This program is a week long and ends with a graduation where the kids can show off some of the skills they have learned over the week. It is our hope that someday these great kids will end up as Westerville Police Officers or be the kind of police officers that will make a difference in whatever community they choose to serve. In addition to the programs we provide, our bureau is responsible for DARE (Drug Awareness Resistance Education) and the School Resource Officers. These officers make a difference in kid’s lives every day. Whether it be by teaching drug resistance, safety on the street or on the internet, mentoring students, or taking enforcement action, these officers make a positive difference in the schools they serve. These officers serve around 6,000 kids and school staff every day. They also review school security plans to ensure they are up to date. Our goal is to make every program we provide the best it can be and to provide the latest programs and topics to our community. This is just a taste of what the bureau does. There are many details on all of our programs in the following pages. 20 21 Community Services (cont.) http://www.westerville.org/CityDepartments/Police/CommunityService/tabid/521/Default.aspx The Community Services Bureau is a support unit dedicated to serving the public. Each employee in this section is full of energy and committed to improving the quality of life for residents and visitors throughout the city. The Bureau consists of a Lieutenant and Sergeant, five school resource officers (SRO), two D.A.R.E. officers, a crime prevention officer, a crime prevention specialist, a community services aide, and an animal control officer. The SROs are assigned to each high school and all three middle schools within the city boundaries and work closely with school administrators to provide a safe learning environment. The SRO role is much more than enforcing state and local laws. They mentor students, provide guidance and support for school staff, assist with classroom topics related to public safety, and adhere to the latest developments in school safety practices. Employees in the crime prevention section educate the public on various ways to prevent and deter crime. The goal is to involve citizens in crime prevention efforts by offering numerous events and programs. By attaining a high level of communication between the Division and Westerville residents, officers will be able to address specific issues and concerns that are affecting different neighborhoods. These programs build strong relationships and establish public trust and support. Some of the events and programs include Cops and Kids Day, Serving our Seniors Day, Fourth Friday events, Block Watch, National Night Out, Bicycle Rodeo, Boy Scout Workshop, D.A.R.E., and on-site security surveys. In addition, two citizen police academies and one youth academy are offered each year. 21 22 Chief for a Day The premise of Chief for a Day is to invite business and community leaders into the division quarterly to spend a day at the police department. The program is designed to give guests an opportunity to learn more about the internal structure and operations of the Police Division. It is also designed to show participants our appreciation for their contribution to our community, as well as to strengthen community contacts. It includes a police roll-call briefing, a practice session on the firearms range, a ride-a-long with a patrol officer, a presentation on the history of the Westerville Police Department, and a homemade lunch provided by the police volunteers. The session concludes with an exit interview with the Chief where participants discuss trends and best business practices in their professional fields. They are then reviewed to see if they can be applied to the Westerville Division of Police business model. In 2010, the guests included President Kathy Krendl of Otterbein University, Store Manager Kevin King of Kroger, CEO Janet Meeks of St. Ann’s Hospital and Terri Douglas of Emerson Network Power. 22 23 Cops and Kids Day Over 40 police agencies attended our 2010 event and more than 4,500 kids of all ages came out to enjoy a day with public safety officers from around the state. Cops and Kids Day provides children the opportunity to interact with law enforcement officers in a positive way. Police displays included helicopters, mounted units, Police K-9’s, mountain bikes, and SWAT Teams. Food and prizes were provided to attendees. Planning for this event begins early in the year with numerous volunteers donating their time. Over 100 Volunteers in Police Service (V.I.P.S.) assisted with planning, logistics and the overall presentation of this event. In addition, many local businesses and organizations donated food and prizes making this one of the most successful crime prevention initiatives in Ohio. http://www.westerville.org/CityDepartments/Police/CommunityService/CopsKidsDay/tabid/522/Default.aspx 23 24 D.A.R.E. D.A.R.E. Officers Jeff Beachler and Ray Boock presented the D.A.R.E. program in 13 elementary schools. The 2009-2010 school year marks the 22nd year of the D.A.R.E. program being presented by the Westerville Division of Police. The D.A.R.E. Program is a life skills based prevention effort that concentrates on teaching students good decision making skills while helping them avoid high-risk behavior. The D.A.R.E. curriculum not only covers illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco use, but additional lessons provide information on bullying prevention, internet safety and over the counter and prescription medicine abuse. Our D.A.R.E. Officers have been successful in teaching resistance skills, decision making skills, and strengthening the relationship between the Division and the community. Approximately 767 fifth grade students graduated from the D.A.R.E. core program in 2010. These officers also made presentations to kindergarten, second grade and fourth grade students. 24 25 National Night Out is a crime prevention initiative that brings neighbors together to promote safe communities. As the title indicates, this is a nationwide effort. Staff and volunteers from the Division of Police attend as many of these Westerville neighborhood gatherings as possible. In 2010, there were 15 neighborhood gatherings, which was the biggest turnout since the program’s inception. National Night Out 25 26 Puppets and Lessons on Safety (P.A.L.S.) The P.A.L.S. program was developed as a tool to teach children the importance of safety. Volunteers and Division staff act as puppeteers to speak to children on a variety of safety topics including bullies, 9-1-1, traffic and pedestrian safety, bike safety, respecting others, strangers, buckling seatbelts, and answering the door and telephone. The children have a higher retention rate when learning from the puppets rather than through straight lecturing. The puppets also help break down barriers and open dialogue. Simulated Impaired Driving Experience (SIDNE) SIDNE (Simulated Impaired Driving Experience) is part of our drinking and driving education initiative. It is held in high school health classes and in partnership with Westerville City Schools. During a 2 day course taught by officers, students are able to drive this simulator which replicates the impaired reaction of a drunk driver. They are able to see firsthand what could happen and discuss with an officer the consequences had it been a real experience. The SIDNE program is supplemented by volunteers from Westerville Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. Without their assistance, this program would be much more difficult to complete. 26 27 The popular Self-Defense for Women classes continued to be at maximum capacity in 2010. This class provides women with skills needed to protect themselves and reduce their risks of becoming victims. The course is designed to teach women simple defensive skills. In 2010, the class was offered five times to the general public and three times to the students and faculty at Otterbein University. Approximately 120 women completed the class in 2010. http://www.westerville.org/CityDepartments/Police/CommunityService/SelfDefense/tabid/529/Default.aspx Self-Defense for Women “Find the Strength to Face Your Fears” Rule #1: React immediately Rule #2: Resist Rule #3: Crime scene two is ALWAYS worse than crime scene one 27 28 In 2010, the Community Services Bureau, along with the police volunteers, hosted the third annual Serving Our Seniors Day. This event is designed to give senior citizens a full day of crime prevention seminars, such as identity theft, insurance fraud and other topics. There were 70 exhibitors providing safety information and resources. Approximately 400 seniors attended the 2010 event. Attendance continues to increase annually. http://www.westerville.org/CityDepartments/Police/CommunityService/SOSDay/tabid/590/Default.aspx Serving Our Seniors Day 28 29 In 1999,the Westerville Citizen Police Academy was established by the Division to develop stronger relationships with citizens. In this free program, the students experience police work from a police officer’s perspective. Classroom topics include the Ohio Revised Code, Search and Seizure, Domestic Violence, Traffic Enforcement, Court Structure, and a demonstration by the Delaware Tactical Unit. They also have the opportunity to ride with a patrol officer. Those interested are encouraged to go to the city’s website for more information at http://www.westerville.org/CityDepartments/Police/CommunityService/CPA/tabid/537/Default.aspx Participants are required to have a cursory background check. Once the course is completed, participants have the opportunity to join the Westerville Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. This is our Volunteers in Police Service (V.I.P.S.) organization. Volunteers donate their time to the varying functions within the police department and community. Two classes, #22 and #23, graduated from the Academy in 2010. Westerville Citizen Police Academy 29 30 The Westerville Youth Police (YPA) Academy was established in 2008 and was modeled after the Citizen’s Police Academy. The goal of the YPA is to give high school students, who have a genuine interest in law enforcement, an opportunity to see if this is the career path they want to pursue. Students will have instruction in laws of arrest, search and seizure, traffic stops, building searches, and many other police related subjects. After the course instruction, cadets and their family members are invited to participate in a graduation ceremony. Upon completion of the Academy, cadets will have an opportunity to apply for the Explorer Program. In July of 2010, 18 cadets graduated from Class #3. http://www.westerville.org/CityDepartments/Police/CommunityService/YouthAcademy/tabid/593/Default.aspx Youth Police Academy 30 31 Westerville wildlife kept the Animal Control Officer (ACO) hopping this year with 589 phone inquiries from residents having a concern or conflict with local critters. The calls resulted in 116 animals being transported for release or medical treatment. A total of 103 animals were returned to the wild. The rest were humanely euthanized due to illness or injury. Only 79 Westerville dogs were picked up this year for “running at large”. Out of 79 dogs, 52 were returned directly to owners due to identifying tags or chips. The remaining dogs were transported to the animal shelter. Fortunately, the majority of those dogs were returned to their owners while 13 of them were adopted. Westerville cats did a much better job of staying home. Animal Control impounded 43 cats compared to 92 cats in 2009. Unlike dogs, cats are much harder to return to owners due to the lack of tags or chips. Only 9 cats were returned directly to the owner because of some form of ID. Citizens for Humane Action accepted 29 cats and were able to adopt out several of them. The rest were euthanized for illness or behavior problems. The majority of these were feral cats. This year, the ACO participated in Safety City and taught local children how to stay safe around wild or loose animals, as well as their own pets. The ACO also spent time teaching animal control to participants of the Westerville Citizens Police Academy. Many Westerville residents have noticed an increase in nocturnal odors emitted by local skunks partying in the neighborhoods overnight. The best thing to do to cut down on these “parties” is to remove the nesting sites under sheds, decks, patios and porches. These makeshift party houses not only provide shelter for skunks, but it allows them to keep raising children in an overly-populated area. If you have questions about evicting skunks from your property, please contact Westerville Animal Control. You will be provided with lots of information to rid the skunks with as little conflict or odor as possible. http://www.westerville.org/CityDepartments/Police/AnimalControl/tabid/527/Default.aspx 31 32 Detective Bureau Hello, my name is Jon Scowden. I started my law enforcement career in 1991 as a Reserve Police Officer in Westerville. Shortly after that I was hired by the Village (now city) of Powell in Delaware County where I worked as a Patrol Officer. In February of 1993 I was hired at the Westerville Division of Police as a full time officer. As a Patrol Officer, I served in many different capacities. I was a Field Training Officer, Academy Instructor, and served on many committees. I was also a member of the Honor Guard, Bike Patrol, and Delaware Tactical Unit. I served as a Patrol Officer until I was promoted to Sergeant in 2004. Between 2004 and 2010 I worked on third shift for 4 years and first shift for two years. While a Sergeant I also had many responsibilities. I became the Field Training Supervisor in charge of all new officer’s training. I was the Sniper Team Leader on the tactical team. I was also the Honor Guard Commander and still function in that capacity. I served as the liaison to the Franklin County DUI Task Force for several years. In January of 2011 I was assigned to the Detective Bureau as the Sergeant and in April of 2011 I was promoted to Lieutenant in charge of Investigations. My personal philosophy on leadership is the act of leading by example, standing up for what is right and espousing positive beliefs. I also believe in empowering staff to make decisions. Being a supervisor of many people going many different ways, there is no way to watch over staff at all times. I have to empower them to make their own decisions and trust they will make the right choices. The job of the Detective Bureau is to give the patrol officers all of the support they need to investigate crimes to the fullest extent. That may involve investigating the crime ourselves, supporting a patrol officer or school resource officer in an investigation or providing training to all officers to help in future investigations. As we work together, we will be providing our customers, the citizens of Westerville, the best service possible. The Detective Bureau is a branch of the police department that investigates crimes that Patrol officers do not have the time or resources to complete. The Detective Bureau not only supports the Patrol Operations Bureau in investigating the crimes but will also set up surveillance operations when a certain type of crime has become a problem in a targeted area of the city. The Detective Bureau also works very closely with all surrounding agencies including Federal Agencies. Many times these other departments will call upon the expertise of the Westerville detectives. The Detective Bureau is a team very similar to a sports team. There are certain areas of expertise that each detective is responsible for, however, when a labor intensive case comes along, all detectives work long and hard to bring that case to a successful close. Each of them will take an area of the case whether it is investigation, surveillance, evidence gathering and processing, or interviewing / interrogating and they work as one unit putting everything together for a successful conclusion. The Detective Bureau consists of ten detectives, one sergeant, one lieutenant, one administrative secretary, and one intermittent support staff position. In the bureau, the detectives are split into the following areas: Three general case detectives, one juvenile detective, one juvenile / general case detective, two narcotics detectives, one narcotics / intelligence detective, and two financial crimes detectives. 32 33 Detective (cont.) http://www.westerville.org/CityDepartments/Police/Investigations/tabid/526/Default.aspx The Detective Bureau is a support unit for our Patrol Operations Bureau. They conduct investigations on crimes reported to our agency, particularly cases that are too time consuming or resource intensive for our patrol officers. They also work proactive investigations to prevent or deter crime in our city. As long as some type of solvability factor exists, detectives will investigate all possible leads in a case. All cases are approached as a team effort in order to bring the investigation to a successful conclusion. The Detective Bureau consists of thirteen detectives, one lieutenant, one sergeant, and one civilian administrative secretary. In our Bureau there are three general case detectives, three task force detectives, one juvenile detective, one juvenile/ general case detective, two narcotics detectives, one intel/narcotics detective and two fraud detectives. Detectives investigate the majority of felonies committed in the city. After completion, felony cases are presented to either the Franklin County or Delaware County Grand Juries. This bureau also participates in the Delaware County Drug Task Force. 33 34 Notable Cases John Leonard Daniels, of Newark Ohio was arrested after using the identity of another individual to call female Realtors to try to get them to show him houses with the intent to commit sexual assault. Daniels found the women using a laptop computer and a Tracfone that he purchased at a local Wal-Mart store in Heath, Ohio. Daniels activated the phone under the name of an old high school acquaintance to maintain anonymity. Detective Tiburzio was able to locate phone records where Daniels was using the Tracfone to call his employer. He was using this phone instead of the company phone that was provided by his employer. Daniels was identified in a photograph that was taken during the purchase of the Tracfone. Since Daniels was calling female Realtors throughout Ohio, this became a multi-jurisdictional case. Daniels was later indicted through the Delaware County Municipal Court and convicted. He was sentenced to four years prison term which he is currently serving. Note* Daniels had been previously caught twice prior to this incident, for the same thing and was only ordered to see a psychiatrist for his problem. On January 12, 2010 Detective Ray was assigned a case where two suspects in an older model red pickup truck were breaking into vehicles throughout Westerville. Detective Ray obtained video surveillance from a central Ohio retailer showing the suspects using a stolen credit card. Detective Ray put all the information out to the Central Ohio Intelligence Network (C.O.I.N.) and provided the local media with images of the suspects and their vehicle. Detective Ray received information from the Columbus, Pataskala, Newark, and Pickerington Police Departments, all of whom were looking for the same suspects for similar offenses. He also received an anonymous tip from a viewer of a local television station who provided the identity of one of the suspects. Through the course of the investigation, Detective Ray was able to identify both suspects (Istavan Horvath and Robert Rush) both of whom were arrested and indicted through the Franklin County Grand Jury on multiple counts of Theft and Receiving Stolen Property. In October 2010, an elderly man was attacked while walking home from a business on Sunbury Road. The suspects fled the area, leaving the victim lying on the side of the road. Witnesses were able to provide limited descriptions of the suspects and the vehicle. During the course of the extensive investigation detectives arrested one suspect and also identified the second suspect. The investigation is currently coming to a close and the case will be presented to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office. Detective Smith works financial fraud cases. In 2010 he was working several cases for the MJCCTF (Multi-Jurisdictional Counterfeit Check Task Force). He developed a local case from the arrest of a subject known to the task force. When the female was arrested, she was found to have multiple stolen State of Ohio identification cards as well as other items for use in committing fraud. Initially, she provided false information to officers as to her identification. Case follow-up provided evidence that linked her to a small group of females who were involved in defrauding large merchants and banks in the Columbus area. They encouraged young associates to open checking accounts to allow them to share the checks/ debit cards to use at various stores to obtain pre-paid credit cards. The cards would be used to pay bills and make purchases for personal use. Crimes committed in the case included theft, identity theft, forgery, and possession of criminal tools. 34 35 Patrol Bureau I am Lieutenant Jeff Gaylor. I have been with the Division of Police for over 29 years and have served under 5 different chiefs. I began my police career in Westerville on April 13, 1982 as an auxiliary police officer. I served in that volunteer capacity until January 16, 1984 when I was hired as a full time officer. I worked as a patrol officer until May 18, 1993, when I was promoted to the rank of sergeant. As a sergeant, I had the opportunity to work not only in patrol, but in the detective bureau and community services bureau as well. The opportunity to work in all three bureaus benefited me greatly in my understanding of the Division’s overall mission of service to the citizens of Westerville and showed how each bureau plays a significant part in the process. On January 16, 2004, I was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and was placed in command of the detective bureau and community services bureau. I served in that capacity until January of 2006 when the Division underwent a change in structure that put an individual lieutenant in charge of each bureau. I was then transferred to the patrol bureau where I currently serve. The Patrol Bureau is comprised of 34 officers, 9 supervisors, and an administrative secretary. We work three different shifts each day providing police services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our officers are the face of the Division. They are the first person you see when you call for service or need help. To help provide better service to the Westerville community, the patrol bureau instituted two new programs. The first was the acquisition of a LoJack receiver unit for one of our cruisers. Many of today’s cars come equipped with a LoJack system. If the vehicle is stolen, the system begins emitting a signal that can be detected and tracked by a LoJack receiver. Because the receiver is mounted in a patrol cruiser, it is on the road daily looking for stolen vehicles. The LoJack receiver was given to the Division at no cost through a grant. The second program instituted was the Aerial Enforcement Program. This program was in response to a rise in serious traffic crashes and one fatal accident involving high speeds on Polaris Parkway. The design of the roadway makes traditional speed enforcement techniques difficult. Although not a new concept, it is typically not available to smaller agencies, but was made possible by leasing airtime from a private pilot. Since the implementation of the program, serious property accidents have been reduced and we have had no further fatal crashes. The Division of Police constantly seeks ways to be more fiscally responsible with tax payers’ dollars. The portable radios carried by our officers were becoming old and were at the end of their lifecycle. Also, technology was changing from analog to digital, making our current radios useless. Patrol staff began working on the problem and found a supplier that was offering comparable digital radios at a substantial discount through a manufacturer promotion. Acting quickly, patrol staff was able to secure the bids and paperwork to take advantage of this promotion, saving thousands of dollars on the purchase of new radios. In addition, because the radios were new technology, the purchase was made with seized assets from drug dealers costing the citizens of Westerville nothing. Due to safety concerns, the City of Westerville was looking at contracting with an armored car service to transport City revenues from the points of collection to the bank. This service would have been extremely costly to the City. Patrol bureau staff began looking at the issue and developed a program using an existing part-time uniformed officer in a Division cruiser to courier the funds to the bank. This program requires minimal use of the part-time officer’s time and provides a safe and secure way to transport city revenues. This program operates at no additional cost to the citizens of Westerville. The continuing education of staff has always been important and encouraged by the Division of Police. This year a milestone was reached by one of our officers. Officer Dan Pignatelli earned his PHD degree on November 12, 2010. He is the first officer to achieve this level of advanced degree in the history of our agency. Officer Dan Betts also received his master’s degree in December of 2010. These officers are to be commended for their efforts and are a shining example of the professionalism of officers in our agency. Our officers are highly trained, well equipped men and women who work very hard to provide the citizens of Westerville a safe and secure community in which to work, live, and raise their families. 35 36 1st Shift Patrol http://www.westerville.org/CityDepartments/Police/PatrolDivision/tabid/583/Default.aspx 1st Shift Personnel: Three supervisors and eleven officers 1st Shift Leadership: Sergeant Jon Scowden #482, Corporal Jack Johnson #469, Corporal Ron McMillin #500 The primary responsibilities for first shift are to respond to calls for service, crimes, traffic accidents, and to proactively patrol residential, business, school zone and park areas within the city. First shift is also responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing public safety aspects for large scale events that occur in the city throughout the year. Some of the events include the Memorial Day/Field of Heroes festivities, 4th of July Parade and 5k Run, Otterbein Homecoming Parade, Christmas Parade, Garret Wonders Bicycle Race, as well as numerous road races. In addition to patrol, first shift officers have other responsibilities within the police department. Several of the officers are training instructors for CPR/First Aid, Firearms, Defensive Tactics, TASER, ADAP, and SWAT Techniques. Many officers are members of ancillary units: 5 members of the Delaware Tactical Unit, 4 members of the Honor Guard, 4 Field Training Officers, 3 firearms instructors, and one accident reconstructionist. First shift is also responsible for all maintenance and upkeep of equipment used by the Patrol Bureau. Traffic enforcement is one of the primary responsibilities on first shift. An aerial enforcement program was adopted after conducting several traffic studies on Polaris Pkwy and Sunbury Rd. The aerial enforcement program was conducted almost exclusively during first shift hours and has been successful in reducing the average speed and traffic accidents on these two roadways. 36 37 1st Shift (cont.) Notable Cases for 2010 Corporal Johnson, Officer Nightingale and Reserve Officer Teegarden responded to a possible suicide call. Upon arrival, they found a 19 year old unconscious male hanging by a rope approximately 16 feet off of the ground. Officers took immediate action and were able to cut the male down ultimately saving his life. Officer Ryan and Officer Hibbitt had both been looking for a subject who was wanted in the burglary and theft of a Franklin County Deputy’s residence, which included several stolen firearms. The officers received a tip that the subject was at his mother’s residence. They immediately responded and were able to apprehend the subject without incident. Throughout the school year, there are numerous issues with high school students skipping class and hanging out on the bike path. Many of these students were being problematic and were generating calls for service in that area. Officers Ryan, Hibbitt, and Hord all made a concerted effort to keep kids in school and off the street during school hours. After officers aggressively patrolled the area for several weeks, which led to some arrests, they were able account for a large reduction in truancy issues. Education and training are also a primary focus of first shift. Officers attended law enforcement training held within the Division, as well as the surrounding Ohio area and out of state facilities. During 2010, Officers Pignatelli and Betts both completed their Master Criminal Investigator training requirements through OPOTA. It should be noted that, in the same year, Officer Pignatelli received his Doctorate degree in Criminal Justice and Officer Betts received his Master’s degree in Criminal Justice. Corporal McMillin also graduated from the Police Executive Leadership College. 37 38 2nd Shift Patrol 2nd Shift Personnel: Three supervisors and twelve patrol officers. 2nd Shift Leadership: Sergeant Charles Chandler #507, Corporal Jon Bagwell #520 and Corporal Brian Spoon #513 Shift Recognition: 2nd Shift was home to Officer Dave Leighty 2010, Officer of the Year. Congratulations Dave! 2nd Shift has produced four consecutive officers of the year. Notable Cases for 2010: On 01/19/10, Officers Davis and Bobovnyk started an investigation that began as a Domestic Violence Complaint and ended with the suspect being tied to the robbery of female escorts in Columbus. The suspect had been posing as a police officer while committing the crimes and our detective bureau executed a search warrant finding police related paraphernalia such as a badge, stun gun, and handcuffs. On 3/5/10, Officer Leighty initiated a traffic stop on Whitney Lane that eventually led to the search of the suspect’s residence where it was discovered he was trafficking in marijuana and prescription narcotics. Semi automatic weapons were also seized from this drug operation. On 3/11/10, Sergeant Chandler was flagged down by the bartender at Classic’s Sports Bar and advised that a known suspect was stealing credit cards from patrons in the bar. A foot chase with the suspect ensued and Sergeant Chandler eventually subdued the suspect with a Taser in front of Max and Erma’s restaurant at N. State St. and Maxtown Rd. The stolen credit cards were recovered and the suspect was also in possession of crack cocaine. On 4/13/10, Officer Davis was dispatched to Certified Gas Station at 131 S. Sunbury Road. A juvenile was threatening suicide and clerks at that location heard him calling his parents to tell them, “goodbye”. The juvenile had left the gas station ten minutes prior to police arrival. Officer Davis spoke with the clerks who advised him of what they had heard. The father arrived at the gas station and advised Officer Davis that the juvenile had made a video recording for his parents telling them he would already be dead if they were watching the video. The father thought the juvenile may head toward Hoover Dam. Officer Davis immediately 38 39 2nd Shift (cont.) relayed this information, including a description, to officers so they could head for the area. Officer Betts arrived in that area and saw a male matching the juvenile’s description. The juvenile was peering over the edge of the dam at the drop off point on the bridge. Officers Leighty, Bobovnyk, Winters, and Dross arrived on the scene to secure a perimeter while making sure not to alarm the juvenile. Officer Ryan, who was off duty, marked in the area in his personal vehicle in plain clothes. Sergeant Chandler advised officers on the radio not to approach the juvenile and the decision was made to allow Officer Ryan to attempt to get close to the juvenile since he was not identifiable as a police officer. Officer Ryan was able to do this and grab the juvenile from behind, pulling him away from the edge of the dam. He was then taken into custody and transported to NetCare where he received treatment. On 6/14/10, Officer Davis was dispatched to 1081 Autumn Woods Dr. on a robbery. The victim had been taken from his front yard at knife point, was driven around in a car and then robbed. The suspects were a white female driver and two black male passengers. The victim had minor visible injuries. Second shift officers worked with the detective bureau on this case and by the next morning, two out of the three suspects were arrested and charged with kidnapping and robbery. Investigators determined this incident occurred out of a narcotics transaction. On 6/19/10, second shift officers apprehended Anthony D. Busic for Aggravated Vehicular Assault, Failure to Comply, Receiving Stolen Property, and OVI. Mr. Busic was driving a stolen vehicle and fled when officers attempted to stop him. While attempting to flee, Mr Busic caused an accident that injured civilians. On 9/2/2010, Officer Leighty arrested two people for OVI out of one incident. Officer Leighty stopped a vehicle and arrested the driver for OVI. Shorty after the arrest, the spouse of the arrestee arrived on the scene (in another car). The spouse had also been drinking and was arrested and charged for OVI as well. On 9/5/10, the Columbus Police Department asked the Westerville Division of Police to assist in looking for a wanted felon by the name of Lakeith Madden. Lakeith had a warrant for failure to comply (original charges: Weapons Under Disability and Tampering with Evidence). Officer Davis was able to locate the suspect on the bike path just North of Schrock Rd. Officers were able to set up a perimeter and surround the suspect. Madden was taken into custody without incident. On 10/09/10, Officer Betts stopped a vehicle traveling southbound on Cleveland Ave. just south of Schrock Rd. After checking the VIN number, he discovered the car had been reported stolen out of Columbus the previous day. The investigation also revealed that the dealer plate, which had been placed on the back of the stolen car, had also been stolen from a local car dealership. The two occupants were arrested and charged with RSP and drug offenses. On 10/12/10, Officer Leighty made a traffic stop and arrested the offender for OVI. Officer Leighty also found a loaded handgun under the driver’s seat and charged the offender with improperly handling firearms. 39 40 3rd Shift Patrol 3rd Shift Personnel: Three supervisors, eleven officers, one K-9. 3rd Shift Leadership: Sergeant Doug Stephens #495, Corporal Greg Franey #511, Corporal Justin Alloway #502. This year brought several notable changes to shift personnel. Veteran Officer Bill Shaw #477 retired and two new officers, Officer Dan Williams #541 and Officer Dan Ruth #542, were hired. Shift personnel also attended several career development training courses, including Leadership and Management, Computer Crimes, Police K-9 Operations and other various seminars and jobspecific courses. In addition to the daily community interactions with individuals who reside, work, and/or travel in the city, third shift personnel responded to a variety of criminal complaints over the course of the year. One noted incident (or trend) involved a marked increase in thefts from vehicles in the various residential neighborhoods, particularly as the warm Spring weather began to arrive. One of our initiatives, while maintaining other routine duties and responsibilities of the shift, was to proactively focus patrol efforts in these areas and decrease or halt the criminal activity. 40 41 3rd Shift (cont.) Specific patrol efforts included utilizing a marked cruiser to establish a police presence as well as having officers provide foot patrol in their districts to look for potential target vehicles. These “targets” were often vehicles that were inadvertently left unlocked or vehicles that had personal valuables or other visible items left inside of them. In both instances, officers were trying to identify the reasons for the increase in thefts from vehicles. Officers notified vehicle owners so they could safeguard their vehicles and possessions. They also took note of open garage doors and other situations that may invite criminal activity and apprised residents of the potential risks. As a result of third shift efforts, the frequency of thefts from vehicles decreased throughout the year. These efforts serve as proactive policing initiatives and benefit the public by educating residents about crime prevention and personal protection. This initiative allows the public and law enforcement to work collaboratively to lessen potential crime opportunities, decrease crime rates, and create safe neighborhoods. Furthermore, these actions build positive relationships between individuals and officers on patrol. Later in the year, another crime trend started after several air conditioning units were reported stolen. The majority of thefts were during third shift hours and were occurring at both residential and business-oriented locations. Police personnel, again, focused on proactive measures which resulted in a decrease of thefts. Another crime prevention effort was to increase enforcement action for alcohol-related violations in the Otterbein University campus area. This area is typically targeted in the Fall months when classes begin and students return to campus; however, the “zero-tolerance” policy is enforced, as necessary, throughout the rest of the year. The goal of the operation is to remind individuals to act responsibly, impress upon the student body that such violations will not be tolerated and create a safe campus for students and surrounding residents. Ultimately, this operation resulted in numerous citations for various alcohol violations. 41 42 Accident Investigation Unit The Accident Investigation Unit (AIU) is comprised of three accident reconstructionists, Sergeants Tony Rudd and Steve Fridley and Officer Stacy Kenney. The unit also has two technical accident investigators, Officer Kurt Nightingale and Detective Tim Ray. The AIU is responsible for investigating all fatality crashes and accidents that may require a more “in-depth” investigation due to severe injuries or high liability claims. Officers in this unit receive advanced training in vehicle and occupant kinematics, event data recorder use, forensic photography and scene mapping, as well as applied mathematics and physics (as they relate to causative factors in vehicular crashes). Members of the AIU thoroughly examine all evidence contributing to traffic crashes and provide expert testimony in criminal cases and other venues where forensic examination is necessary. Their findings are based on forensic evidence and are presented to attempt to explain the series of events surrounding a particular crash. The results are used for criminal prosecution, civil litigation, crash prevention and education. Safety and education are primary goals of the AIU. Members of the unit regularly participate in an annual school event known as “Mock Crash Scenarios.” This event is held during Prom week at a high school to educate students on the dangers of drunk or drugged driving. Students are exposed to the horrific consequences of an automobile crash by witnessing a staged accident between two vehicles. Students watch as safety personnel perform lifesaving procedures on those injured in the crash. Although the event is staged, the demonstration is factual, graphic and presented from the perspective of first responders and crash investigators. Students witness all aspects of the crash scene from the time police officers arrive until the fire fighters and medics assist in a rescue helicopter transport. After the presentation, participants educate students in the dangers of driving while drunk, distracted or fatigued. These types of presentations are an attempt to convince young drivers to make good choices when they get behind the wheel. Periodically, investigators attend fatality review committees to discuss preventative measures that assist other agencies such as NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Association), State and local engineers, M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and anyone else that has a vested interest in making our roads and highways a safer place to travel. The goal of the AIU is to reduce fatality and serious injury crashes through investigation, enforcement and education. 42 43 Aerial Enforcement Unit 43 As a result of 4 fatal traffic crashes within 2 years, the Westerville Division of Police established an Aerial Enforcement Unit in 2010. These efforts resulted in a reduction of speed which reduces damage from traffic crashes, saves lives, and prevents injuries. Aerial enforcement is successfully utilized by larger law enforcement agencies throughout the nation. Typically, an officer, in an agency owned aircraft, flies over marked roadways and uses a time over distance formula to determine speed violations, as well as any other violations that are witnessed. The officer radios the information and vehicle description to police units on the ground. Once ground units identify the vehicle, traffic stops are initiated and citations may be issued if appropriate. The only difference in our program is that we do not own the aircraft. We lease the aircraft and hire a pilot to fly our officers over the targeted enforcement areas, which is paramount in avoiding the extremely high overhead costs associated with aircraft ownership. 44 Date the program began. Number of operations in 2010. Length of time for each operation. First flight was June 11, 2010. 15 total operations from June through December. Each operation was scheduled to have three hours of flight time. A total of four officers were scheduled for each operation. One officer in the plane and three officers working on the ground. All operations, except one, were staffed with officers on regular duty time. One operation had a shortage of officers due to an unforeseen event and a small amount of overtime had to be paid. Officers flexed their work schedules in order to properly staff all other operations. Number of officers required for each operation. Operations staffed with duty time or overtime. Number of citations generated. 229 citations issued for an average of 15.3 citations per operation. Most citations were issued for speed violations; however, there were also citations for licensing violations, equipment violations, and other operating violations. Types of citations issued. Speeds recorded for citations. The highest speed cited was 75mph and the lowest was 55mph. The average speed of all citations was 59mph. The legal speed on Polaris Parkway is 45mph. Aerial Enforcement Statistics Polaris Crashes 19 20 15 12 Prior to AE 8 10 5 After AE 2 0 Program Costs 0 Total Crashes Injuries 0 Fatalities Aircraft costs - $8,997.00 (47.3 hours flight time, $50.00 per hour for the pilot, $140.00 per hour for the plane, and $10.00 for an additional gate key) Staffing costs - $12,855.60 (All operations, except one, were conducted with on-duty officers. There was minimal overtime costs to the city. This cost represents wages and benefits for a corporal and three officers for each operation) Equipment costs - $2,000.00 (Approximate cost) (This is a one-time purchase for an intercom system, two headsets, and two stopwatches) Total Program Cost - $23,852.60 44 Revenue through citations $22,900 45 Bike Patrol The Division’s Bike Patrol Unit is utilized on all three patrol shifts and provides the added benefit of patrolling areas not easily accessible by cruiser. Bike patrol officers monitor our multi-use path system in order to provide a safe environment to those utilizing the paths. Congratulations to Officer Bill Shaw who logged an astounding 20,000 career patrol miles on his police bike prior to his retirement in April. The Bike Patrol Unit continues to serve as a great tool for building and maintaining positive relationships between the Division and individuals who reside, work, and travel in the city. In addition to routine patrol functions, bike officers participated in the following specialty details and community service operations for 2010: 4th of July Parade, Fireworks, and Rotary Run; 4th Friday 45 46 Field Training Unit The Westerville Division of Police utilizes the most current philosophies and practices to train officers. There is also a concentrated effort placed on the recruitment and mentoring of new officers. The Division’s Field Training Program was developed in order to train new recruits while being able to assess progressive development using a comprehensive training and evaluation program. The program is designed to instruct, test, and evaluate the recruit’s knowledge and understanding of the various policies and procedures of the Division, as well as all applicable local, state, and federal law enforcement practices. Once new recruits are hired and have graduated from a state accredited police academy, they are partnered with a highly trained and motivated field training officer (FTO) and begin an extensive 18 week field training program. The current field training program is comprised of four different phases with specific training tasks being taught in each particular segment. New recruits must meet the training goals and standards for each phase before advancing to the next segment. At the end of Phases 1 – 3, recruits complete a full 8 hour day of scenario training with each scenario day focusing on different areas of performance competency. Phase 4 allows the recruit to perform all police functions independently while the FTO only shadows beside them. The different training phases are broken down according to the following schedule: Administrative Phase (1st Shift – 2 weeks), Phase 1 (1st Shift – 5 weeks), Phase 2 (3rd Shift – 4 weeks), Phase 3 (2nd Shift – 5 weeks), and Phase 4 (split shift – 2 weeks). There is a re-orientation program, which is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, for those recruits who have approved extended leave (i.e. military, injury, light duty, etc.). The Division’s Field Training Unit is currently comprised of eight training officers and two supervisors. The training officers are Officers Grubbs, Lammert, Cerino, Hibbitt, Nightingale, Snyder, Hord, and Kenney. The unit is supervised by Sergeant Stephens and Corporal Spoon. 46 47 K-9 Unit The Westerville Division of Police continues to maintain a single canine team comprised of handler Gary Allen and his dog, Zen. Zen is a Belgian Malinois and has been active with the Division since 2002. He is a dual purpose K-9 meaning he is able to detect illegal narcotics and participate in various patrol functions, which may include building searches, locating hidden evidence, or tracking a fleeing suspect. In 2010, the K-9 Unit was deployed over 150 times and assisted other local, state, and federal agencies searching for suspects and illegal drugs. Zen and Officer Allen also play a vital role in community policing by visiting local schools, speaking to civic groups and attending events such as Cops & Kids Day. In 2010, the Westerville City School District authorized Officer Allen and Zen to periodically walk through the school buildings and parking lots. The goal is to deter the possession of illegal drugs and promote a safe learning environment. 47 48 Delaware Tactical Unit The Delaware Tactical Unit is a mutual aid SWAT team comprised of officers from law enforcement agencies within Delaware County including the Delaware City Sheriff’s Office, Genoa Township Police, Delaware City Police, and Westerville Police. The unit operates under the authority and control of the Delaware County Sheriff. DTU has been in existence since 1994 and Westerville PD has had members on the team since 1995. To become a member of the team, each officer has to have 5 years law enforcement experience and has to be chosen by their respective department to test for the position. The selection for the team includes an extensive firearms course, an extensive physical fitness test and an oral interview board that each member must pass before becoming a probationary operator on the team. The team responds to many different incidents that may be beyond the capabilities of the normal patrol officer. This is due to the equipment and the extensive training that the tactical team members possess. These incidents could include high-risk arrest warrants, barricaded subjects, hostage situations, dignitary protection, prisoner escapes, civil disturbances, and active shooters. The members of the team train 16 hours a month, attend a 40 hour training week in the summer, and travel to numerous outside training courses and conferences all over the U.S. The team has the authority to respond to any incident within Delaware County and the City of Westerville. Mutual aid can also be requested by any other jurisdiction in Ohio. In 2010, DTU was activated for 12 incidents with the majority being high risk search warrants. http://www.delawarecountysheriff.com/ 48 49 Records (cont.) http://www.westerville.org/CityDepartments/Police/RecordsSection/tabid/530/Default.aspx Members of the records section support the Division by providing services to personnel, as well as citizens, businesses and agencies from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. This busy area is staffed by seven full-time employees and one part-time employee. Records technicians perform an assortment of duties including record checks, paperwork filing, and impound releases. Other responsibilities include answering and routing non-emergency telephone calls, greeting and assisting visitors in the Division lobby, performing matron duties on female prisoners and preparing state charges. The bi-weekly payroll for the entire Division is also handled by records personnel, as well as the mailing and compilation of the Division’s performance surveys. Public Safety Software Records technicians enter a wide variety of police reports into the Division’s public safety software. The reports include incident (criminal), C.I., accident, impounds, arrests and citations. Not only are the initial reports entered in the system, but many are updated with new information and court dispositions. These police reports are the foundation for state and federal reporting systems, such as the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS), the State Domestic Dispute/Violence Report, and the Division’s Monthly Summary and Officer Activity Reports. Many other customized reports are also provided for individuals and agencies that are looking for specific information contained in the database. Evidence All evidence submitted by officers is documented, processed, and secured in order to maintain a chain of custody for investigative and court purposes. Evidence suspected of being marijuana can be tested by a Westerville Records Technician who has been trained and certified. Evidence that requires testing by an outside laboratory must be packaged according to that agency’s submission requirements and then it is transported by the Division’s court liaison officer. In 2010, a total of over 5,100 pieces of evidence were processed. 293 of those pieces of evidence were tested in-house. At the time of this publication, a complete inventory of evidence was performed indicating that a total of 7,406 pieces of evidence were physically checked with an error rate of .001 percent. 7000 6000 769 5000 4000 922 853 814 Property 720 3000 2000 4779 4454 2007 2008 4966 Evidence 4317 3201 1000 0 2009 2010 49 2006 50 Records (cont.) Performance Survey Once a month, a performance survey is mailed to randomly selected individuals who have recently filed incident or accident reports with the Division. The survey consists of 10 statements regarding the performance of Division personnel involved in the incident/accident. Respondents are asked to choose “N/A” or a number from 1(Totally Disagree) to 4 (Totally Agree) that corresponds with their feelings regarding the statement. The survey also includes an area for respondents to write comments and/or request additional information regarding Division programs such as Safe Call and VIPS. In 2010, 360 surveys were mailed with a return rate of 30%. The average performance score was 91.7%. Accomplishments Records personnel continued to assist in the selection and implementation of the new public safety software package, New World Systems (NWS). During 2010, various teams met with NWS employees to build master personnel and security files. These efforts will continue into 2011. An unmarked van was purchased by the Division and made available to records personnel for the transportation of large evidence/property items to the off- site storage facilities. The van is used to transport evidence/property that has been approved for destruction since certain items, including drugs and weapons, cannot be placed in a trash receptacle. Prior to receiving the van, patrol officers, with the assistance of a records technician, had to transport these items, which made them unavailable for service calls. The van has been a valuable asset to records personnel and other Division employees who use it for law enforcement purposes. Records personnel are responsible for the disposal of evidence/property that has not been claimed by the owner. Items of value are auctioned on a website which is chosen by the City Manager’s Office in Westerville. In 2010, the records manager researched companies who provide this service and suggested the city change to PropertyRoom.com. The city approved the change which eliminated several practices required by the former provider. Prior to the change, records personnel had to document every item, take a photo, place it in storage, and make arrangements for releasing it to the purchaser. Now, records personnel are only responsible for documenting the items to be auctioned. PropertyRoom.com employees pick up the items and take care of all the necessary processing. Streamlining the auction preparation process allows records technicians to focus on other important tasks. 50 51 Community Impact Volunteers In Police Service (V.I.P.S.) http://www.policevolunteers.org/about/ The VIPS program provides resources for departments to enhance their volunteer program and for citizens who wish to volunteer with a law enforcement agency. The goal of the program is to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in creating programs to utilize volunteers to the best of their abilities. The programs are registered through the VIPS website, and volunteer hours are logged and tracked. VIPS is one of five Citizen Corps partner programs. Citizen Corps was created to help coordinate volunteer activities to make communities safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. It provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds. 51 52 Neighborhood Watch Residents continued to participate in the Neighborhood Watch program. Neighborhood Watch hit record numbers this year, with 42 neighborhoods participating, which encompasses 4,800 residents. Neighborhood Watch has also been extended to the business community including banks, pharmacies and uptown businesses. This program brings residents and businesses together in an effort to reduce and prevent crime in their neighborhood or business area. Residents and employees learn how to be vigilant and become aware of unusual activity in their area. Every year, watch groups participate in the annual “National Night Out” event, which celebrates a stand against crime in the communities and neighborhoods. A quarterly newsletter maintains communication between the police and the residents. The newsletter also provides tips and statistics for each neighborhood. http://www.westerville.org/CityDepartments/Police/CommunityService/BlockWatch/tabid/586/Default.aspx 52 53 Path Watch In 2010, a new neighborhood program, Westerville Patch Watch, was developed to increase the safety of bike/walking paths in Westerville. Volunteers in the community become the eyes and ears for Police and Parks and Recreation and help keep paths safe by preventing crimes and hazards on the paths. The volunteers must first complete a 10 hour training course and then complete a yearly refresher course. The initial training course includes the following topics: police procedures and reporting, bicycle maintenance, Parks and Recreation procedures and reporting, and CPR and First Aid. The volunteers then walk or ride the paths to assist citizens by reporting injuries, providing maps, reporting suspicious activities or crimes and hazards on the paths. They wear a bright vest so they are easy to spot and carry a volunteer ID at all times. A background check is also done on Path Watch Volunteers. The path watch members adhere to the same principles and philosophies as the Block Watch program and the statistics are also posted in a quarterly newsletter. Path Watch allows for safer recreation areas and strengthens community relationships. http://www.westerville.org/Portals/0/Path%20Watch2.pdf 53 54 Chaplain Corps The Chaplain Corps has served well this past year. The unit consists of seven Chaplains. Four of those members make up the active unit that handle the day to day calls on a monthly rotation. The members of the group represent six different denominations. Chaplain James Meacham has served as Command Chaplain for the past 39 years. Chaplain Harold Steindam, Chaplain David Hogg, and Chaplain David Murdoch are the other active members in the unit. Chaplain Hogg has also taken an additional role by serving the Division of Fire. The unit averages between 80 and 100 hours a month in volunteer service. The transient program, "Helping Hands", works in conjunction with WARM to provide temporary help for those traveling through our city with basic needs for gas, food, or bus vouchers. The on-call Chaplain is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to deliver death notifications, offer emotional support and provide comfort to families, as well as officers. The Chaplains feel that it is a privilege to serve the Westerville community in this special way. 54 55 Police Explorer Post #29 http://www.westerville.org/CityDepartments/Police/CommunityService/YouthAcademy/tabid/593/Default.aspx In 2010, graduates of the Division’s third Youth Police Academy had the opportunity to join Explorer Post #29. Cadets are provided uniforms and are expected to meet regularly at the police department. Cadets participate in training drills and are exposed to decision-making exercises. Additionally, Explorers train and compete against other Explorer Posts in Ohio and throughout the entire nation. Cadets routinely participate in community events within the City of Westerville. In 2010, the post volunteered over 2,200 hours to the Westerville Police Department. 55 56 Reserve Officer Program The Division’s Reserve Officer Program underwent some major revisions in 2010. The Reserve Program will now be administered by the Professional Development Office. Moving the responsibility of the Reserve Program to the Administrative Bureau will streamline the hiring process, training opportunities, and career development. Reserve officers are subject to the same rules and regulations as a full-time officer. Officers must be OPOTA certified and are required to donate a minimum of 16 hours of service per month to the police division. Attendance is mandatory for all monthly meetings unless excused by the Reserve command staff. 56 57 Westerville Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association The WCPAAA was established after the very first Academy class in 1999. Citizens are able to join the volunteer organization upon completion of the Citizens Police Academy. This association qualifies as a 501.c3 organization and has board members who oversee participation opportunities within the police department. Police volunteers donate their time to assist with current Academy classes, safety presentations with police puppets, digital fingerprinting for children, and computer data entry. Members also volunteer at numerous events, including Cops and Kids Day, Serving our Seniors Day, Safety City and 4th Fridays. At the conclusion of Class #23, the WCPAAA consisted of 140 members. The WCPAAA contributed approximately 6,000 hours to the Police Department in 2010. http://www.westerville.org/CityDepartments/Police/CommunityService/CPA/tabid/537/Default.aspx 57 58 Special Olympics Torch Run Westerville Police Officers and Division staff participated in the 2010 Special Olympics Torch Run on Friday, June 25. There were 5 participants in the run and 4 participants in the bike ride. Runners passed the torch to one another as they ran down State Street. Although the weather was humid and everyone was very sweaty by the end of the race, the feeling was exhilarating. The Special Olympics Torch Run is the main fund raiser for athletes who participate in the Special Olympics at the Ohio State University. 58 59 59 60 60 61 61