Repeal of radar detector ban advancing in Virginia House
February 4, 2010 | Virginia News
For motorists hankering to zip along the highways unfettered by the heavy hand of law enforcement, this is shaping up to be a very friendly General Assembly session.
Already, the Senate and House of Delegates have voted to raise the speed limit on interstate highways to 70 mph, a measure championed by Gov. Bob McDonnell. Now a proposal to repeal Virginia’s longstanding, unique-in-the-nation ban on radar detectors is advancing through the House.
Del. Joe May’s bill, HB 674, was approved 11-8 by the House Transportation Committee this morning and now moves to the House floor. May, R-Leesburg, is the committee chairman.
External Link to ArticleManassas police chief retiring May 1
February 1, 2010 | VACP
MANASSAS, Va.—Manassas police Chief John J. Skinner announced Monday that he will retire May 1. He retired as chief of the Fairfax city department in 1998.
Skinner, who has been chief of the Manassas Police Department for 12 years, said he might try some golf when he and his wife, Shirley, winter in Phoenix but he’s not sure about that.
“I’m going to see in retirement if I have the patience. I know I don’t have the talent,” said the 57-year-old Skinner said of his golfing abilities.
Skinner alsp plans to volunteer and put his experience to use in retirement.
“I hope to do some law enforcement training ... for the feds, for the International Association of Chiefs of Police or the National Sheriff’s Association,” he said. “I have interviewed with Phoenix P.D. I intend to volunteer through their Volunteer In Police Services program.”
Stafford sheriff has plan to keep deputies
January 30, 2010 | Virginia News
Some of the things that make Stafford County attractive for job seekers--proximity to Washington, D.C., the Pentagon and Quantico--are challenges for Sheriff Charles Jett.
The Stafford Sheriff's Office, with a staff of 162, hired 18 new deputies last year. Jett said that those 18 came from an applicant pool of 1,983.
While finding deputies is not a problem, keeping them is. Once they are trained and have field experience, they become hot commodities.
Va. law-enforcement make pleas for no budget cuts
January 27, 2010 | Virginia News
More than 75 law-enforcement officials from around the state appealed to legislators and Gov. Bob McDonnell to forestall proposed cuts to their agencies.
Former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's budget for 2010-12 proposes $270 million in cuts to sheriff's departments and commonwealth's attorney's offices, in addition to roughly $73 million in cuts to local police departments.
Officials said about 65 percent of Virginians depend on the aid the state provides to localities for their law-enforcement services.
"No local government can absorb that significant an impact and continue to provide the services we do," said Waynesboro Police Chief Doug Davis, VACP First Vice President.
RELATED:
Law enforcement officers call Virginia’s budget situation ‘dire’
Budget plan may threaten public safety
VACP Survey Results: Further 599 cuts could lead to layoffs, reduced services
VACP SURVEY RESULTS: Further 599 budget cuts could lead to layoffs and reduced police services
January 27, 2010 | VACP
Some Virginia police departments could be forced to lay off police officers or discontinue some programs if state budget cuts continue to reduce state aid to localities with police departments.
In a survey conducted by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, local police chiefs were asked this week how proposed cuts to so-called 599 funding, or State Aid to Localities with Police Departments, were affecting their agencies.
When asked how further cuts in 599 funding would impact their departments, 83% of the chiefs responded that they will be making cutbacks in the purchase of needed equipment, such as communications systems and replacement of worn-out patrol cars. Eighty-two percent (82%) reported that they will have to cut even more out of their training budgets, and 56% reported that they may have to lay off police officers.
Some Virginia police chiefs responded that they will have to cut back or eliminate certain programs, such as school resource officers, crime prevention programs, school crossing guards, community policing programs and animal control officers.
Despite reported crime rate reductions in recent years, more than 64% of police chiefs report that their communities have experienced an increase in certain types of crime in the past six months. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Virginia police chiefs reported an increase in residential burglaries, and 45% of the chiefs reported an increase in domestic violence crimes. Increases are also reported in business burglaries, drug trafficking and armed robberies.
“Several of the police chiefs responded that the types of crimes they are seeing in their communities are changing, with more reports of larcenies, thefts, shoplifting and alcohol-related offenses,” said Dana Schrad, Executive Director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police.
The proposed cuts to 599 funding would have the greatest impact on the smaller police departments that depend on a higher percentage of 599 funds in their budgets. However, even the largest agencies report that they would have to lay off officers and eliminate certain police services to absorb the proposed cuts.
The following comments were provided by chiefs who participated in the survey:
- “My jurisdiction continues to grow in population, but new police positions have been frozen. Any further cutbacks could affect response times and our community’s safety in general.
- “I would likely have to eliminate approximately 60 sworn positions.”
- “Further funding cuts will limit the amount of overtime officers are allowed to work, which will have a direct impact on investigations, and will drastically impact our ability to maintain and upgrade our technology.”
- “Further cuts to 599 funding will likely spell certain doom for the future of small agencies across the state.”
- “Currently, we struggle to answer the call volume in our jurisdiction and I could not imagine attempting to serve our community effectively with fewer officers on the streets.”
“Most of our police departments have absorbed budget cuts so far by not filling open positions,” according to VACP President Doug Scott, Arlington County Police Chief. “Many departments cannot afford to put new police recruits through academy training. Further cuts definitely could lead to layoffs and a reduction in the services that Virginia residents expect from their police departments.”
Even law enforcement agencies that do not receive 599 funding are concerned about how cuts to local police departments will affect cooperative regional efforts.
“Private police departments, campus police and public safety agencies depend on state and local law enforcement agencies for support in regional response efforts and major crime investigations,” Schrad said. “Further cuts in 599 funding will have a direct impact on the ability of our local police departments to provide assistance and backup to other police agencies and sheriffs’ offices in times of critical response.”
There are 40 city police departments, nine county police departments and 114 town police departments in the Commonwealth. Virginia also has 23 college and university police departments, as well as many state and private police departments and security agencies that depend on local police departments for law enforcement support. Approximately 65 percent of all Virginians depend on local police departments for public safety services.
DOWNLOAD RELEASE: Word document | Adobe PDF
Contact:
Ms. Dana Schrad, Executive Director
Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
Mobile: 804-338-9512
McDonnell unveils $50 million job creation agenda
January 26, 2010 | Virginia News
The plan would be funded, in part, through cuts to the Department of Corrections, and re-directing money from the state employee retirement system. But that leaves the governor in a tricky spot: having to spend $50 million to create jobs, while cutting more than $4 billion in other state spending.
Virginia's budget gap, still requires more cuts to transportation, education, and public safety - which advocates say goes hand-in-hand, with jobs.
"If you don't have a safe community, it's gonna be very difficult to, first of all, provide for safe schools, and also create the incentives to bring businesses into a community that create jobs," said Dana Schrad of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police.
External Link to Article | VIDEO
MetLife Foundation Announces 2010 Community-Police Partnership Awards Program
January 25, 2010 | National News
MetLife Foundation and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) are partnering for the ninth year to recognize, sustain and share the work of innovative partnerships between community groups and police to promote neighborhood safety and revitalization.
Through the MetLife Foundation Community-Police Partnership Awards, MetLife Foundation and LISC identify and honor partnerships that exhibit tangible accomplishments in their efforts to advance the process, outcome, and evaluation of potent police-community collaborations. Awards will be given to functioning programs that have already demonstrated the impact of police‐ community partnerships.
Awardees will receive monetary grants ranging from $15,000 to $25,000.
Eligible applicants must be member organizations of partnerships that include, but need not be limited to, community organizations and police. Awardees receive a monetary grant and their work is promoted via case studies to a wide audience of practitioners, policymakers, and academics.
Case studies about award-winning partnerships will be disseminated throughout the community development and law enforcement industries.
Cash grants will be awarded in the following two categories:
Neighborhood Revitalization Awards (Six at $15,000-25,000): These awards celebrate exemplary collaboration between community groups and police that yields crime reduction as well as economic development outcomes, such as real estate development, business attraction and job growth.
Special Strategy Awards (Five at $15,000): Community and police partners who have achieved significant accomplishments in one of the following areas will receive awards:
- Applied Technology
- Aesthetics and Greenspace Improvement
- Diversity Inclusion & Integration
- Drug Market Disruption
- Gang Prevention & Youth Safety
- Seniors & Safety
For more information and to read about previous award-winning programs, visit http://www.lisc.org/section/ourwork/national/safety/awards.
Download the Application:
2010 MetLife Foundation Preliminary Application (PDF, 265 KB)
Preliminary Application Deadline: February 26, 2010
VDH Announces Unintentional Injury Prevention Mini-Grants for FY2010
January 25, 2010 | Virginia News
Funding is now available for local organizations throughout Virginia to prevent unintentional injuries at the local level among high risk groups through the implementation of proven or promising unintentional injury prevention strategies. Organizations selected will receive funding of up to $1,000 to purchase safety devices and other supplies to support and implement a prevention project.
Click here to download the mini-grant guidance and application.
For more information, contact the Va. Department of Health Division of Injury and Violence Prevention at (804) 864-7732 or
U.Va. Honors Three Officers for Lifesaving Actions
January 22, 2010 | Virginia News
January 21, 2010 — Three University of Virginia employees — Sgt. Ted Roach of hospital security and U.Va. police officers Keith Berry and Jeffrey Maddra — were honored for their life-saving actions at the U.Va. Police Department's first commendation luncheon, held Wednesday in Newcomb Hall Ballroom.
On Dec. 7, 2007, a 2:30 a.m. call alerted officers to a "jumper" at the East Parking Garage, Pannell said. When he and another officer arrived at the scene, Roach was already there. Despite their efforts to talk the individual down, the man jumped and Roach caught him just as he leapt. Thanks to Roach's actions, this person survived, Pannell said, though Roach sustained a shoulder injury.
Newport News crime drops for fourth consecutive year
January 22, 2010 | Virginia News
Sixteen percent drop since 2004
Chief James D. Fox and the entire Newport News Police Department are pleased to report that the number of reported part one crimes, in Newport News, fell for the fourth consecutive year in 2009. When comparing the 2009 figures, crime has fallen 16% when compared to 2004. While any reduction is crime is good, with the economic situation everyone is facing in recent years, the five percent drop for 2009 is significant.
While crime fell by five percent in 2009, it is important to remember that while there was a 13% increase in crime in Newport News in 2005, crime fell by 7% in 2006 and again in 2007 and by one percent in 2008. These decreases in crime are the direct result of extremely hard work by your police personnel, along with the cooperation of the community and the assistance of other federal, state and local agencies.
Because fighting crime is this agency’s top priority, we continue to work closely with the community which continues to join us in taking a no-nonsense team approach to combating crime. This team effort continues to play a major part in reducing crime.
Crimes showing a decrease this year are Rape (-4% from 55 to 53), Robbery (-13% from 486 to 422), Aggravated Assault (-12% from 612 to 537), Burglary (-8% from 1412 to1298) and Larceny (-5% from 5116 to 4873). Motor Vehicle Theft increased from 375 to 426 a 14% increase and Homicide increased from 17 to 24 a 41% increase.
Department leaders continue to refine operational plans on a regular basis in an effort to continue to reduce crime. It is important for the community to know that while many of these efforts are highly visible, many others include the not so obvious special operations and undercover officers.
Once again, our message to the criminal is “we are coming after you”, and, our message to the good citizens of Newport News is that we are committed to working hard to make this City a safe place to live, work, visit and attend school.
Chart comparing crime statistics year to year from 2004 to 2009: DOWNLOAD PDF.
Hutcheson Ready To Lead Woodstock Police Department
January 21, 2010 | Virginia News
1st Sgt. Bryan Hutcheson of the Virginia State Police will start his new job as Woodstock's police chief on Feb. 8.
By Pete DeLea
Harrisonburg Daily News-Record
HARRISONBURG - For the last three years, 1st Sgt. Bryan Hutcheson of the Virginia State Police has led an effort to keep Interstate 81 in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County safe for motorists. But now, the 38-year-old will be headed north on that same interstate to Woodstock, where he will become the town's new police chief on Feb. 8. "It's a great opportunity," he said. "It's a wonderful town right in the heart of the Valley."
Hutcheson started his career with the state police 15 years ago, and has moved around Virginia five times.
In summer 2006, he was assigned to the Harrisonburg area, where he typically supervises 10 or so troopers.
Hutcheson said his family fell in love with the Shenandoah Valley, and will continue to live in the Broadway area after he takes the Woodstock position.
"We realized quickly this is the best place we've ever lived," he explained.
Hutcheson, who will leave the state police on Feb. 5, was offered the job Tuesday.
"It's going to be a challenge but I feel like I can get the job done," he said.
Woodstock Town Manager Larry Bradford said a four-person panel interviewed five finalists and Hutcheson was the unanimous choice.
"He has a good background and education," Bradford said. "We thought he had a lot to offer to the community."
Hutcheson, who will earn $76,500 a year, replaces outgoing Chief Jerry Miller, who retired Dec. 30 after about 25 years as the town's top cop.
"I'm going to have some big shoes to fill," Hutcheson said. "[Miller] wouldn't have been around as long as he was if he wasn't good."
Hutcheson said his replacement hasn't been named yet.
Contact Pete DeLea at 574-6278 or
Photo by Nikki Fox
John Venuti Named VCU Police Chief
January 13, 2010 | VACP
Richmond Police Maj. John Venuti has been named chief of the Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department, one of the largest university police departments in the country with 82 sworn officers, more than 200 security personnel and an accredited training academy.
Venuti’s appointment, effective Feb. 1, comes after a national search that resulted in more than 170 applicants. The final three candidates visited VCU in December and participated in forums with students, faculty and staff.
“VCU’s Police Department effectively serves a large, diverse and open environment,” said John Bennett, VCU’s senior vice president for finance and administration who oversees VCU Police. “Chief Venuti’s experience will allow him to build the department’s effectiveness in serving and protecting the students, faculty and staff at our university.”
Venuti comes to the VCU Police Department with more than 25 years experience in law enforcement. He joined the Richmond Police Department in 1984 as a patrol officer and rose through the ranks to major. His current assignment is command of Support Services. In that role, he supervises more than 175 sworn and civilian employees and manages a $15 million budget. In the RPD, Support Service includes the major crimes unit, cold case unit, forensics unit, arson unit, fugitive unit and the force investigation and sexual assault teams.
“We were very fortunate to receive applications from a number of highly accomplished law enforcement professionals who found Virginia Commonwealth University to be a very attractive place to work,” said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D. “Major Venuti’s record of achievement in Richmond and his commitment to VCU made him an excellent fit.”
Venuti has led the Metropolitan Area Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force, working with the region’s five jurisdictions, Virginia State Police and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency. He is also executive director and creator of Stop The Pain 804, a grass roots, community policing initiative that includes a collaborative, urban anti-violence music video for inner city youth, focused on the impact of violence on the entire community.
Venuti is scheduled to receive a bachelor’s degree in management and leadership from Bluefield College in 2010. He has completed the FBI National Academy, as well as more than two dozen law enforcement and management training programs sponsored by federal and state agencies.
Staunton police officer loses battle to cancer
January 13, 2010 | Virginia News
Loved ones say Larner 'touched' everyone he knew
STAUNTON — A somber Staunton Police Department spent Tuesday gathering itself as word spread that one of its own had fallen victim to a two year battle with cancer.
Sgt. Thomas Larner passed away at his Churchville residence during the early morning hours of Tuesday with his wife, Angie, by his side. He was 36.
Bills, resolutions already filed by state lawmakers
January 11, 2010 | Virginia News
While a good deal of the 2010 General Assembly will be spent wrangling over the state budget, lawmakers also will propose legislation that could fundamentally change state law regarding guns, wireless-device usage and the death penalty.
Measures addressing those issues are among the more than 325 bills and 69 resolutions already filed by lawmakers in advance of the session, which convenes Wednesday and runs through March 13.
State spending cuts get human face
January 8, 2010 | Virginia News
PORTSMOUTH — State lawmakers sat face-to-face with Hampton Roads' human fallout from looming spending cuts Thursday afternoon, as hundreds of local residents described anticipated dire straits triggered by potential cutbacks.
During a sometimes grueling and occasionally uplifting hearing in Portsmouth, local residents told horror stories in vivid detail and explained how vital state support is for mental health care, education, law enforcement and even the arts.
Parents showed lawmakers pictures of murdered children, explaining how a state program facing cuts helped them navigate the judicial system. In-home health care providers talked about caring for bed-ridden patients. Mentally disabled citizens described their struggles to get treatment.
External Link to ArticleThe police want to be your BFF
January 7, 2010 | Virginia News
REMINGTON — From a small downtown office in a small Fauquier County town, the Remington Police Department is utilizing the latest online tools to connect with the community.
The department uses Facebook, Twitter and Nixle, a free online service geared toward government agencies. Sgt. Charles Proffitt handles the department’s online presence.
“The chief wanted more community involvement,” said Proffitt, one of six officers in the department.
McDonnell Announces Three Additional Cabinet Appointments
January 6, 2010 | Virginia News
Appoints Jim Duffey as Secretary of Technology; Doug Domenech as Secretary of Natural Resources; Terrie Suit as Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness
RICHMOND- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell announced three additional appointments to his administration this morning in a press conference at the State Capitol.
McDonnell announced that Jim Duffey will serve as the Commonwealth’s next Secretary of Technology. Duffey worked for Electric Data Systems Corporation for 24 years, serving as Vice President and General Manager of U.S. Public Sector business, and is a former Vice-Chairman of the Northern Virginia Technology Council. McDonnell appointed Doug Domenech as Secretary of Natural Resources. Domenech served in a number of leadership roles in the United States Department of Interior, which manages nearly one-fifth of the land in the country, from 2001 to 2009. Domenech began his career in the forestry industry, later serving as a gubernatorial appointee to the Virginia Board of Forestry. Finally, McDonnell named former delegate Terrie Suit as Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness. While in the House of Delegates, Suit concentrated on business, housing and military issues. She serves on the Virginia Military Advisory Council.
Augusta County Sheriff’s Office readies for cuts
January 5, 2010 | Virginia News
Twelve deputies could be pulled from the streets under proposed state budget cuts, Augusta County Sheriff Randy Fisher said Monday.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s latest budget plan would slash $430,000, the equivalent of the total annual pay for about a dozen deputies, a year after the Sheriff’s Office cut spending by more than $200,000, Fisher said.
The Staunton and Waynesboro police departments also experienced budget setbacks, though not as severe as the Sheriff’s Office, Staunton police Chief Jim Williams said.
Almost $70,000 has been cut from Waynesboro’s fund and $82,000 from Staunton’s, according to a state Grants Administration memo released Dec. 28.
Retired Blackstone Police Chief Wayne Shields Passes Away
January 4, 2010 | VACP
Retired Chief Wayne Scott Shields, 70, of Wilsons, VA, died Saturday, January 2, 2010 in Chippenham Levinson Heart Center.
Wayne began his career as a patrolman in law enforcement with the Petersburg City Police Department in 1961, quickly rising through the ranks; he was selected and graduated from the 95th F.B.I. Academy in 1973. After 17 years and becoming Acting Chief of Police for Petersburg Police Department, he bought a farm in Dinwiddie County, VA and was hired as the Chief of Police of Blackstone, VA., where he continued his passion of helping and serving his community for 23 more years, before retiring in 2003.
He also enjoyed riding and showing horses, was an avid bow hunter, who loved the outdoors, being in the woods, and especially in the mountains. Chief was a loyal and faithful law professional, a loving husband, and a devoted father.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mildred "Mickey" Angle Shields; two daughters, Michelle S. Morris (Barry) and Karen S. Ladd (Carl); four grandchildren, Daniel Lewis (Aaron), Rebecca Segura (Chris), Dillon and Davis Ladd; and a great grandson, Brayden Segura, all of Wilsons; two brothers, Robert Shields of Cary, NC and Eugene Shields of Laurel, MD; and a sister, Joyce Mahon of Church Road, VA.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M., Tuesday, at the Joseph McMillian Funeral Home, 1826 Cox Rd.(Bus. Hwy. 460), near Blackstone.
Funeral services will be held 1 P.M., Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at the Crenshaw United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Sanctuary Fund, c/o Crenshaw United Methodist Church,200 Church St., Blackstone, VA 23824.
Registry and condolences may be sent by www.mcmillianfuneralhome.com.
Remembering a pioneer: Waynesboro’s first black police officer honored at funeral
December 30, 2009 | Virginia News
More than 200 people attended the funeral of Waynesboro’s first African-American police officer Tuesday morning, to pay their respects and celebrate his life.
Several members of the Waynesboro Police Department joined Eugene Calvin Perry Sr.’s family in the rows of Westminster Presbyterian Church, including Deputy Chief William Maki.
Public Safety On The State Chopping Block
December 30, 2009 | Virginia News
Outgoing Governor Tim Kaine had to fill a $4.2 billion gap in the state budget, and public safety is taking a huge hit.
Public safety is one of those areas in the budget lawmakers typically try to keep from cutting. But with this record deficit and several rounds of reductions already behind us, Kaine says he doesn't have much choice.
VSP Trooper Awarded Carnegie Hero Medal for Saving Girl’s Life
December 29, 2009 | Virginia News
RICHMOND – Virginia State Police Trooper Kurt J. Johnson is among the 23 individuals from throughout the United States and Canada to be named as a recipient of the esteemed CARNEGIE MEDAL. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission gives the medal to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.
Trooper Johnson was nominated for this prestigious recognition based on his valiant acts performed in the line of duty earlier this year. In a press release, the Commission selected Johnson for his extraordinary actions, as follows:
“Kurt James Johnson saved Destineé N. Davis in Pastoria, Virginia, February 6, 2009. Destineé, 3, was a passenger in a car that, at night, left the highway, overturned onto its roof, and caught fire. Her mother escaped the wreckage with two other children. On routine patrol nearby, Johnson, 43, state police trooper, responded to the scene on seeing flames there. Alerted by her mother that Destineé remained in the vehicle, Johnson used his fire extinguisher against flames that issued from the vehicle's exposed underside and engine area. With flames persisting, being fed by leaking gasoline, Johnson then opened the rear door on the passenger side of the vehicle. Although the passenger compartment was filled with dense smoke that precluded visibility, he crawled inside and maneuvered to the front. Finding Destineé under the dashboard, he grasped her by her jacket and hugged her to himself. He maneuvered back to the opened door and exited the car. Flames spread throughout the vehicle. Destineé was hospitalized for treatment of her injuries, and she recovered. Johnson also required hospital treatment, for smoke inhalation, and he too recovered.”
“Our troopers commit acts of heroism on a daily basis across the Commonwealth,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “But, in Trooper Johnson’s case, he clearly went above and beyond the call of duty and is most deserving of this prestigious recognition. Virginia should be proud and privileged to have a trooper of Kurt Johnson’s caliber on patrol protecting its residents.”
The heroes announced Dec. 22, 2009, bring to 9,327 the total number of awards since the Pittsburgh-based Fund's inception in 1904. Commission President Mark Laskow stated that each of the awardees or their next of kin will also receive a financial grant. Throughout the 105 years since the Fund was established by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, $32 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, and continuing assistance.
More information on the CARNEGIE MEDAL and the history of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission can be found at http://www.carnegiehero.org.
Winchester police chief wants fit officers
December 28, 2009 | Virginia News
By Monty Tayloe
The Winchester Star
The city police department is considering the adoption of stricter physical fitness standards for both new and currently serving officers, according to Chief Kevin Sanzenbacher.
Last week, the City Council granted Sanzenbacher’s request for permission to apply for a $75,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant to implement the new, tougher standards. Currently, incumbent Winchester police officers aren’t measured on their physical fitness, and new recruits only have to complete a relatively mild obstacle course.
According to the chief, raising the physical fitness standards isn’t just to make sure that new city officers can run faster and jump higher.
“Once we’ve gotten them in, we want them to live longer,” Sanzenbacher said.
According to the chief, police officers have a much lower life expectancy than the average American.
“Studies indicate that law enforcement officers have a greater morbidity and mortality rate than the general public due to heart disease, colon cancer, and suicide,” Sanzenbacher wrote in his request to the city council.
He believes that requiring a higher level of physical fitness from his officers will allow the department to retain good personnel longer.
“There’s a reason police officers have a special retirement system in every state,” Sanzenbacher said. “We make it economically feasible for them by dying at such a young age.”
Sanzenbacher said the department’s new fitness standards would be based on information gathered by The Cooper Institute, a Texas-based facility that studies aerobics and disease prevention.
According to Sgt. Amanda Baker, new recruits must pass a test requiring them to, among other things, complete 15 push-ups and sit-ups, jump over and through various obstacles, and drag a dummy a certain distance.
Baker said the standards the department is contemplating from the Cooper Institute are significantly more strenuous.
According to Baker, officers would have to perform the following exercises with just a few minutes of rest in between:
- Complete a 14-inch vertical jump.
- Bench press 71 percent of their own body weight.
- Complete at least 25 sit-ups in a minute.
- Run 300 meters in 75 seconds.
- Complete 19 push-ups.
- Run a mile and a half in just over 15 minutes.
Sanzenbacher said he believes that both he and most of his current officers will be able to meet the stricter standards.
He said his department will be looking at the new requirements to determine if they’ll work for Winchester throughout the coming year.
“Our goal is to have the fitness standards in place by Dec. 31, 2010.” he said.
Va. crime lab stretched as experts called to court
December 24, 2009 | Virginia News
RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia's crime lab has fallen further behind in conducting drug and alcohol analyses as forensic examiners spend more time attending trials to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, officials say.
Travel and overtime costs also are on the rise, and the two most obvious solutions--hire more scientists or establish a system allowing them to testify by videoconference--are cost-prohibitive at a time when the state is trying to close a $3.6 billion budget shortfall.
The problem arose from the Supreme Court's June 25 ruling in favor of Luis Melendez-Diaz, who challenged a lab analysis that confirmed cocaine was in plastic bags found in the car in which he was riding. Massachusetts courts had rejected his claim that he should be allowed to question the lab scientist about testing methods and other issues.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigator dies from gunshot wounds
December 21, 2009 | Virginia News
Bob Canosa, a veteran investigator with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, died Sunday afternoon at the University of Virginia Medical Center, succumbing to complications from multiple gunshot wounds he suffered nine days ago, according to the Virginia State Police. He was 55.
VSP spokesman Sgt. Les Tyler said Special Agent M.L. Jones has charged Canosa’s estranged wife, Brenda Lee Canosa, 49, with first-degree murder.
Kaine: End car tax, replace it with income tax increase
December 18, 2009 | Virginia News
The state's hated local car tax would be replaced with a $2 billion-a-year income tax increase under the new budget Gov. Timothy M. Kaine presented Friday.
The departing Democratic governor's tax proposal accompanied a budget that prescribes about $1.2 billion in spending cuts in a bid to reconcile a $3.6 billion state revenue shortfall for 2010 through 2012.
The plan was on an immediate collision course with incoming Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell, who has pledged to reject any general tax increase, and an anti-tax GOP House majority strengthened by last month's elections.
The budget bill deeply cuts funding for public safety, including $73.4 million cut from local police departments and $270.5 million cut from constitutional officers such as sheriffs and commonwealth's attorneys.
Kaine is preparing a separate bill that would phase in a 1 percent income tax increase over two years.
Celebrate With Your Loved Ones This Holiday Season — Drive Safe & Sober
December 17, 2009 | Virginia News
Dec. 18-20, 2009 — Operation CARE/Holiday Lifesaver Weekend
RICHMOND – The holidays are a time of festivity, fun and celebration with family, friends and coworkers. However, this is also a time of responsibility and safety when it comes to getting behind the wheel to drive. Even though Virginia is experiencing a 13 percent decline this year in traffic fatalities, more than 669 individuals have already been killed in crashes statewide because of an individual’s careless and reckless actions.
“This weekend signals the real start to the winter holiday season for celebrations and traveling,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “The only way to save lives on Virginia’s roads is by having every driver and passenger put safety first this holiday season by buckling up, avoiding distractions, sharing the road, obeying speed limits, and driving drug and alcohol free.”
The state police will be among law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth and the nation participating in various safe holiday driving campaigns in recognition of Drunk and Drugged Driving (3-D) Prevention Month.
During the remaining weeks of December through the first of January, Virginia State Police will be conducting Checkpoint Strikeforce sobriety checkpoints and roving enforcement patrols on designated roadways statewide. State police are just one of several state and local law enforcement agencies participating in the annual campaign to raise public awareness throughout the Mid-Atlantic region about the deadly dangers of drunk driving.
The weekend before Christmas, Friday, Dec. 18, through Sunday, Dec. 20, has been designated by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) as National Holiday Lifesaver Weekend. Virginia State Police and local law enforcement will be maximizing their enforcement efforts on “problem” roads during the time period that is traditionally the most popular for holiday festivities and alcohol consumption.
Last year in Virginia over the five-day Christmas holiday weekend, six people died in traffic crashes. Five traffic fatalities occurred statewide during the four-day statistical counting period for the 2008-2009 New Year’s holiday weekend.
Christmas Holiday |
# of days |
Virginia |
New Year’s Holiday |
# of days |
Virginia |
2008 |
5 |
6 |
2008 |
4 |
5 |
2007 |
5 |
7 |
2007 |
5 |
14 |
2006 |
5 |
8 |
2006 |
5 |
13 |
2005 |
4 |
12 |
2005 |
3 |
13 |
2004 |
3 |
7 |
2004 |
2 |
7 |
*Source: Virginia Highway Safety Office (VAHSO), Department of Motor Vehicles
‘Active shooter’ tactic saves lives
December 17, 2009 | Virginia News
After a shooter started firing in a building at Northern Virginia Community College's Woodbridge campus last week, police rushed in to try to stop the violence.
Years ago, the response would have been somewhat different. Officers used to initially respond to a situation like this by containing the scene and waiting for reinforcements and specially trained forces, such as the SWAT team.
But after Columbine and similar school shootings, Prince William County Police Chief Charlie T. Deane changed his department's tactic in such scenarios.
McDonnell hints at job cuts for state employees
December 17, 2009 | Virginia News
Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell is warning state employees of tough times ahead, hinting that budget-balancing could cost some of them their jobs.
In a "Dear Fellow State Employee" e-mail, McDonnell thanked workers for their service and dedication, asking them "to help me find ways to make government work more effectively at a lower cost."
Without specifically mentioning layoffs, McDonnell referred to spending cuts by departing Gov. Timothy M. Kaine since April 2007 that have erased more than 1,600 jobs.
Interim Police Chief Announced for Woodstock
December 17, 2009 | Virginia News
Kline To Oversee Department After Miller Retires
By Benjamin Weathers
WOODSTOCK — A short-term replacement has been named for retiring Police Chief Jerry Miller.
Last week, the town council approved First Sgt. Mike Kline to take over as interim Police Chief, following Miller's Dec. 31 retirement after 35 years of service. Starting Jan. 1, Kline will be Woodstock's top cop until a permanent successor is found.
“I'm very humbled and honored. I'll try to do the best I can for the department,” said the 28-year police force veteran.
Kline, 48, was born and raised in Edinburg, where he currently lives with his wife Sarah and his two teenage children. The First Sgt. spoke kindly of Miller, with whom he has served for his entire law enforcement career.
“It's very disappointing to see him leave,” said Kline. “He's been a very good boss and supervisor throughout the years.”
Kline will receive a $1,200 monthly pay increase during the interim period. Town officials hope to fill the position permanently within a month or two.
“We don't know for sure, but we're expecting that it could be as early as February or March,” said Town Manager Larry Bradford.
When asked about Kline's reputation, Bradford spoke highly of the First Sgt.
“Mike's been here his entire career and he's more than qualified,” said Bradford. “We're fortunate to have him — he just fits the mold.”
According to Bradford, the town is currently considering Miller's permanent replacement from a field of about five candidates.
Part of the reason Kline was a natural pick for interim Police Chief is because he is not one of those seeking the position.
“I'm not too far away from retiring myself,” Kline said playfully, when asked if he had considered applying.
Whoever ends up taking the job will have big shoes to fill, said Kline.
“It's kind of heartbreaking to see [Miller] go,” said Kline. “[But] he's been here a long time, and it's well-deserved.”
Source: Shenandoah Valley Herald
Former Frederick County Sheriff’s Deputy, Daughter Killed in Crash With School Bus
December 16, 2009 | Virginia News
WINCHESTER, VA - A school bus carrying a dozen kids collided with another car in Winchester Monday morning. No one on the bus was injured, but an 11-year-old in the car was killed, along with the driver.
Forty-one-year-old Richard Brill is a former sheriff's deputy in Frederick County, Virginia. Police say Brill crossed the yellow line on Shawnee Drive and hit the bus head-on.
Brill died at the scene. His daughter, Kaitlyn, was pronounced dead at Winchester Medical Center. His other daughter, who was riding in the back seat, survived.
Investigators are blaming icy conditions. They also say both Brill and his daughter were not wearing seat belts.
Photo courtesy TV-3 Winchester
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34422293/
Crime Commission refuses ‘sexting’ recommendation
December 15, 2009 | Virginia News
The Virginia Crime Commission today decided against recommending any changes in state child pornography laws in light of “sexting” by teens using cell phones or computers to transmit nude or inappropriate photos of themselves or friends.
Wounded Orange County investigator in serious condition
December 14, 2009 | Virginia News
Wounded Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigator Bob Canosa remained in serious condition Sunday morning at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, according to hospital spokesman David Foreman.
His wife, Brenda Canosa, 49, is accused of shooting him several times early Friday morning. She was taken into police custody at her home in the Rochelle area of Madison County around 9:45 p.m. Friday and is being held at the Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange.
RELATED ARTICLE: Wife charged with shooting lawman
VSP Mourn Loss of Retired Superintendent and Former Secretary of Public Safety
December 3, 2009 | VACP
RICHMOND – The Virginia State Police are mourning the loss of retired Colonel Robert L. Suthard, who passed away Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, after a prolonged illness. Retired Colonel Suthard served as Superintendent of State Police from 1984 to 1990, when he was appointed to Secretary of Public Safety by then-Governor L. Douglas Wilder.
“Colonel Suthard was a man of dedicated service to the Commonwealth, both in his 36 years with the State Police and as Secretary of Public Safety,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent.
“Colonel Suthard achieved many firsts for the Department in his progressive approach to advance State Police in size, technology, and training, as well as through the implementation of a variety of criminal justice programs still in operation today. While he will be greatly missed by his State Police family, we are comforted by his many contributions to the Department and the true legacy he leaves behind.”
During his tenure as Superintendent from 1984 to 1990, the Department became the second state police organization in the nation to be accredited by the National Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Suthard also oversaw the construction of a new addition to the State Police Academy, reorganization of the Department into three main bureaus, and a substantial increase in authorized personnel. He also oversaw the implementation of such programs as the Firearms Transaction Program, Virginia Clearinghouse for Missing Children, Motorist Assistance and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).
A native of Callao, Va. in the Northern Neck, Suthard joined the Virginia State Police in April 1954 and was assigned to the Eastern Shore to probate. He entered the State Police Academy in Richmond July 5, 1954, to begin his training to become a Trooper. Upon graduation from the Academy, Suthard returned to the Eastern Shore for his first patrol assignment.
Suthard was promoted to Sergeant in 1961 and assigned to the Virginia State Police Area 36 Office in Waverly. Six years later in 1967, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant and was assigned to the Safety Division at State Police Administrative Headquarters in Richmond.
As Lieutenant, he transferred in 1975 to the State Police Culpeper Division. In 1977, Suthard was promoted to Captain and became the Division Commander of the Culpeper Division.
Suthard returned to Richmond in 1979 in his capacity as Captain to oversee the Property and Finance Division. The following year then-Captain Suthard moved to Northern Virginia to serve as the first Division Commander for the newly-created Fairfax Division.
In 1984, former Governor Charles S. Robb appointed then-Captain Suthard to the position of Superintendent. Suthard served as Colonel until 1990. He became the first member of the Virginia State Police to be selected to serve in a governor’s cabinet when he was appointed by former Governor L. Douglas Wilder to Secretary of Public Safety.
Suthard was a recognized leader among the law enforcement community. He was elected in 1989 as fourth vice president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and second vice president of the American Association of Automobile Administrators. He was also a graduate of the 99th Session of the FBI National Academy and 10th Session of the FBI National Executive Institute.
A resident of Chesterfield County, he is survived by his wife, Lou; his son, retired Army Col. Robert L. Suthard, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Nancy Jett Suthard; and two grandchildren, Capt. Robert L. Suthard III, and Christin Jett Suthard Timpner.
MEMORIAL INFORMATION
Colonel Suthard’s funeral will be at 3pm on Sunday, December 6th at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. The church is located at 2341 Winterfield Road, Midlothian, VA. It is at the corner of Winterfield Road and Salisbury Drive. A reception will follow the funeral at the Salisbury Country Club, which is near the church.
Colonel Suthard’s burial will occur on Monday, December 7th at 2:00 pm at the Tankard’s Rest Cemetery, Exmore-Hadlock, VA, on the Eastern Shore.
Colonel Suthard’s family has announced the creation of the Colonel Robert L. Suthard Memorial Scholarship Fund, to be administered by the Virginia State Police Association. This Scholarship Fund will be used to assist member’s of the Department of State Police who are pursuing higher education. As such Colonel Suthard’s family asks that donations, in lieu of flowers, be made to:
Colonel Robert L. Suthard Memorial Scholarship Fund
c/o of the Virginia State Police Association
6944 Forest Hill Avenue
Richmond, VA., 23225.
Please note, “Colonel Suthard Scholarship Fund” on the memo field of your contribution.
McDonnell Announces First Appointments to Administration
December 3, 2009 | Virginia News
Martin Kent, Chief Deputy Attorney General of Virginia, to Serve as Chief of Staff; Deputy Attorney General Marla Decker Named Secretary of Public Safety
RICHMOND- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell announced the first appointments in his incoming gubernatorial administration Thursday, December 3 during a late morning press conference at the State Capitol.
McDonnell named two longtime senior staff members in the Office of the Attorney General, Martin Kent and Marla Decker, to serve as his Chief of Staff and Secretary of Public Safety, respectively. He announced that he would reappoint the Commonwealth’s current Secretary of Finance, Ric Brown, to the same position. McDonnell named Eric Finkbeiner, who previously served under Governors Doug Wilder and George Allen, as Senior Advisor for Policy, a cabinet level position in the McDonnell Administration. Rounding out the initial round of appointments, McDonnell announced Tucker Martin as Director of Communications.
Speaking about incoming Chief of Staff Martin Kent, McDonnell remarked, “I have known and worked closely with Martin Kent for the past few years. He is dedicated, diligent and tireless. He has a comprehensive understanding of state government, an understanding matched by very few. As my Chief Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General, and most recently as Chief Deputy Attorney General of Virginia under current Attorney General Bill Mims, Martin has earned his deserved reputation as a trusted and respected public servant who values good government and sound policy. I thank Martin for being willing to take on this critically important responsibility.”
McDonnell also spoke about his first Cabinet appointments, stating, “Marla Decker has been with the Office of the Attorney General for over 25 years. She has worked with Democratic and Republican Attorneys General alike. As my Deputy Attorney General for Public Safety, Marla was instrumental in leading the fights against gangs, terrorism and drugs in the Commonwealth. The daughter and granddaughter of New York City police officers, Marla has built longstanding and positive relationships with law enforcement leaders statewide that will prove of great benefit in her new capacity.”
McDonnell continued, “Secretary Ric Brown has been a dedicated servant to the citizens of the Commonwealth for more than 35 years. His in-depth knowledge of state government finances is unparalleled. Thus, I have asked Secretary Brown to stay on as my Secretary of Finance until such time as I believe my administration has a complete understanding of our current economic situation. ”
Finally, McDonnell added, “Eric Finkbeiner has played key roles in two prior gubernatorial administrations. He is a noted policy expert, and his counsel has been regularly sought out by elected officials in the Commonwealth. We ran a campaign of ideas, and this will be a policy-driven Administration. As Senior Advisor for Policy I will call on Eric often, and he will be directly involved in the development and implementation of numerous important initiatives in the years ahead.”
Below are bios of each of today’s appointees.
Further announcements regarding additional appointments in the McDonnell Administration will be made in the weeks ahead.
Martin L. Kent
Since leaving private practice in Altavista, Virginia in 2001, where his emphasis was criminal defense and civil litigation, Martin has been an attorney with the Virginia Office of the Attorney General. From 2001-2006, he served in various capacities in the Public Safety and Enforcement Division including Chief of the Office’s Special Prosecutions Section. Shortly after being elected Attorney General in 2006, Bob McDonnell appointed Martin to serve as his Chief Counsel coordinating the Office’s representation of state boards and commissions and interaction with the Governor’s Office and the Virginia General Assembly. In addition, he oversaw Attorney General McDonnell’s Government and Regulatory Reform Task Force and his legislative agenda.
After Attorney General McDonnell’s departure to run for Governor, and upon his appointment as Attorney General by the General Assembly in February 2009, the Honorable William C. Mims appointed Martin as Chief Deputy Attorney General. Martin has been a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Virginia since 1993. He received a B.S. degree from the University of Richmond and a J.D. degree from Mercer University. Prior to attending law school, he was an Insurance Examiner with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance.
Martin is originally from Pittsylvania County where he was raised on his family farm. He currently resides in Hanover County with his wife, Vonda, and their daughters Madyson, Rachel and Campbell. They attend New Hanover Presbyterian Church. He is the current Treasurer of the Hanover County Bar Association and is involved in other civic organizations and activities in the area.
Marla Graff Decker
Marla Decker is a graduate of Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and the University of Richmond School of Law, Richmond, Virginia. She began her legal career in 1983 as an Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia. In January of 2005, Marla was promoted to Deputy Attorney General of the Public Safety and Enforcement Division in the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia. That Division is comprised of the Criminal Litigation, Correctional Litigation, Health Care Fraud & Elder Abuse, and Special Prosecutions & Organized Crime Sections. It also includes the Gang Reduction & Intervention Program (GRIP) as well as the Attorney General’s other Anti-Crime Initiatives. Marla was re-appointed to that position by Attorney General Bob McDonnell when he took office in January of 2006.
In addition to her other responsibilities as Deputy Attorney General, Marla supervises and staffs Attorney General William C. Mims’ anti-gang, anti-terrorism and crime prevention initiatives, responsibilities she has assumed for four Attorneys General. Ms. Decker also supervises the drafting of criminal legislation, as well as develops and implements training initiatives and conducts community awareness events relating to gangs. Additionally, Marla supervises the initiation of criminal investigations and prosecutions, as well as provides presentations on Virginia’s gang laws, prevention initiatives, and other related topics.
Further, Marla serves as an evening adjunct faculty member of the University of Richmond School of Law and the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies. She teaches courses in Appellate Advocacy, Terrorism Law, Legal and Ethical Considerations for Emergency Managers, and Law of Disasters. As part of her role as Deputy Attorney General, Marla also teaches for law enforcement academies on topics such as Fourth Amendment law, identity theft, terrorism, and gangs. Finally, Ms. Decker is a life member of the Tuckahoe Volunteer Rescue Squad in Henrico County and lectures to pre-hospital providers on terrorism and public safety issues. Marla is married to Chip Decker, Chief Executive Officer of the Richmond Ambulance Authority.
Richard D. Brown (Ric)
Ric Brown is a native of Arlington County, Virginia. He received a B.A. Degree in Economics from the College of William and Mary and a Masters of Commerce Degree from the University of Richmond.
Ric entered state service in 1971 as an Economist with the Division of State Planning and Community Affairs. While employed by this agency, he served as staff to numerous legislative and executive study commissions including: the Revenue Resources and Economic Study Commission, the National and Dulles Airports Acquisition Study Commission, and Governor Holton’s Task Force on Financing the Standards of Quality in Public Education.
In 1976, Ric moved to the newly created Department of Planning and Budget (DPB). Initially, he was employed as a Policy Analyst dealing with educational matters. He later transferred to the Research Section where he focused his attention on special studies relating to state/local issues and taxation.
Ric was promoted in 1986 to budget manager for the Commerce and Resources Section within the Department of Planning and Budget. In this capacity, he coordinated the development of the Governor’s budget recommendations to the General Assembly for the Economic Development and Natural Resources’ agencies.
In 1987, Ric took over the managerial duties of Budget Operations; and in 1990 he was promoted to the position of Deputy Director for Budgeting within the Department of Planning and Budget. On June 1, 2001, Governor Gilmore appointed him as Acting Director of the Department of Planning and Budget. He was reappointed as Director by Governors Warner and Kaine. As the Director of DPB, Ric was responsible for both external (other agency) and internal (within DPB) budget development and execution procedures as well as for the development and publication of the Governor’s Budget Bill and Budget Document.
In August 2008, Governor Kaine appointed Ric Brown as his Secretary of Finance.
Secretary Brown is Past-President of the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO). He is also a three-time past President of the Board of Directors of the Richmond Area Association for Retarded Citizens and still continues to serve on the Board of that organization.
Two awards that Secretary Brown has received that are worthy of special mention include the Gloria Timmer Award for exceptional achievements and career accomplishments from the National Association of State Budget Officers in 2002 and the Lifetime Public Achievement Award from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs of Virginia Commonwealth University for excellence in Virginia Government in 2005
Eric Finkbeiner
Eric Finkbeiner is an attorney who served in both the Wilder and Allen administrations prior to joining McGuireWoods in 1999. He served as a policy advisor to Governor Allen on public safety and transportation issues and also served as his Executive Director for the Governor’s Commission on Parole Abolition and Sentencing Reform. In the Wilder administration he served as Director of Public Affairs for the Department of Criminal Justice Services, then as Communications Director for the Governor’s Task Force on Violent Crime.
Finkbeiner earned his B.S. in Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1990 and his law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law in 1999. He is a Senate appointee to the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission. Finkbeiner is a partner at the law firm of McGuireWoods and served as Director of the Virginia Government relations team for their public affairs subsidiary, McGuireWoods Consulting. At McGuireWoods he represented both the Federation of Virginia Food Banks and the Tangier Island Health Foundation on a pro-bono basis.
Finkbeiner resides in Midlothian, and has been married for 17 years to the former Michelle Hodge. They have two children, Megan, 13, and Jack, 10.
J. Tucker Martin
J. Tucker Martin currently serves as Director of Communications for the transition of Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell. He was Director of Communications for McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. Prior to the campaign Martin was Director of Communications during McDonnell’s term as Virginia’s 44th Attorney General.
Before joining McDonnell, Martin served as Deputy Press Secretary for Jerry Kilgore’s 2005 gubernatorial campaign and as Deputy Director of Communications for Kilgore during the second half of his term as Attorney General. Martin worked for Virginia House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith during the 2004 General Assembly session. Before moving to Richmond, Martin was a consultant for a small media firm in Alexandria. He received his B.A. degree in History from Randolph-Macon College in 2000 and his M.A. degree in Political Management from The George Washington University in 2001. He was raised in Hopewell and resides in Richmond.
Highlights from December 2009 VLEPSC Board Meeting
December 3, 2009 | VACP
by , Virginia Accreditation Center, DCJS
On Wednesday, December 2, 2009, the VLEPSC Executive Board met in New Kent, Virginia. The following action was taken:
Granted Accredited/Reaccredited Status:
- Winchester PD - Initial Accreditation
- Richmond City SO - Initial Accreditation
- Bedford Co. SO - Reaccreditation - 2nd award
- Virginia Beach SO - Reaccreditation - 2nd award
- Prince William Co. SO - Reaccreditation - 4th award
Other business:
- Welcomed Chief Jim Day (Bedford PD) as the newest member of the Commission;
- Gary Dillon provided the Commission with the quarterly Program Manager's Report;
- Capt. Bobby Mawyer (DGIF) provided the Commission with an update of state agencies' progress toward accreditation;
- Sheriff Lane Perry (Henry Co.) addressed the Commission proposing that accredited agency CEO's attend ethics training during their 4-year accreditation cycle. The Board will consider adding language to the commentary to ADM.01.02 encouraging CEO's to seek such training;
- Approved revised VLEPSC Process & Procedures;
- Approved revised VLEPSC Bylaws;
- Approved VLEPSC Directive 2009-05 - Revision of Standard ADM.02.04;
- Approved VLEPSC Directive 2009-06 - Revision of Standard OPR.10.01 & OPR.10.02;
- Board member Sheriff F.W. Howard, Jr (New Kent Co.) steps down as Vice Chair;
- Board nominates and appoints Sheriff Fred Newman (Washington Co.) as Howard's replacement; and
- Set the next meeting for March 11, 2010 at the Virginia State Capitol, hosted by the Capitol Police.
Cuccinelli digs in to set course for AG’s office
November 30, 2009 | Virginia News
As the attorney general-elect, Cuccinelli -- a 41-year-old lawyer, father of seven and Republican state senator from Fairfax County -- inherits a statewide office formerly occupied by Bob McDonnell, who leveraged the high-profile post into a successful run for governor this fall.
"The first priority really is to get a team in place here that can continue, and we're always seeking to improve the professional quality of the work done in the AG's office," Cuccinelli said.
"My focus is getting settled and doing this right and getting in and taking the first few steps correctly. I'm trying to take a longer view, not just one session."
And he said he would work to improve the state's response to Internet predators and continue McDonnell's commitment to combat gang activity.
"Gangs are the greatest violent-crime threat in Virginia," Cuccinelli said.
December 2009 Edition of Virginia Police Legal Bulletin Posted
November 30, 2009 | VACP
The VACP's Police Legal Advisors Committee has been working hard this fall to publish another edition of the Virginia Police Legal Bulletin.
This issue features a special look at the Exclusionary Rule in 2009 as well as an article titled "When Can the Police Search the Passenger Compartment of a Car? The Significance of Arizona v. Gant".
Read the December 2009 Edition of the Bulletin
The issue also looks at upcoming cases in the U.S. Supreme Court in two articles:
- Police Practices Cases To Be Decided in the Current Term of the U.S. Supreme Court
- A Virginia Case Will Be Decided by the U.S. Supreme Court This Term
Laid-off state police workers stay on as volunteers
November 30, 2009 | Virginia News
RICHMOND, Va. -- Shelia White was at work behind her desk at Virginia State Police headquarters in Chesterfield County last Monday at 6:30 a.m., bright and early as usual. And, as usual, there was plenty to do at her post in the Police Academy building: reams of paperwork and reports for the trooper recruits and the tactical-operations division, and correspondence with other law-enforcement agencies.
The difference between these days and when White started in January is that now she isn't being paid. She is also among 15 former paid employees who have returned to their duties as volunteers, part of an effort to support their colleagues in public safety.
External Link to ArticleChesterfield lieutenant selected as Farmville police chief
November 24, 2009 | Virginia News
Chesterfield County police Lt. Doug Mooney was named Farmville's new police chief today.
Farmville's town council voted unanimously today to appoint Mooney, a 22-year veteran of the Chesterfield Police Department who lives just outside Farmville in Prince Edward County.
Mooney and his wife attended Longwood University, and their son and daughter both go there now.
New Elkton police chief a native son
November 17, 2009 | Virginia News
By Jeremy Hunt, Harrisonburg Daily News-Record
ELKTON - Kevin Whitfield fulfilled a roughly 15-year-old goal of becoming chief of the Elkton Police Department on Monday.
With Elkton as his hometown, and with a lot of family living in the area, Whitfield says he has a "vested interest" in keeping the community safe.
A 1988 Spotswood High School graduate, Whitfield, 39, was born and raised in Elkton and started his career with a brief stint on the town's police force in 1995.
He was then hired on at the Harrisonburg Police Department, and held a variety of roles over the decade he worked there, including as a criminal investigator.
"I'm an investigator at heart," he said. "That's what I did the majority of the time I was in the city."
Whitfield was appointed head of the Elkton Police Department on Monday by Town Council, effective immediately, with an annual salary of $42,000. He replaces Jim Morris, who resigned last month to work for a private company.
Elkton Mayor Larry Bompiani said Whitfield's previous experience set him apart from the other candidates, although all three finalists were qualified for the job.
The new chief lives in McGaheysville with his wife and daughter.
Whitfield left the Harrisonburg department in 2005 and worked for the next few years as a plant security specialist at the MillerCoors brewery in Elkton.
Last year, Whitfield returned to the Elkton department as a patrolman because he missed investigating, he said.
HPD's Lt. Kurt Boshart said Whitfield was a "good officer" with the city's force and looks forward to working with the chief in his new capacity.
"We're excited for him to be chief of police," Boshart said. "It'll be a little different for us to call him Chief Whitfield."
Whitfield was the lead investigator for HPD in the 2001 murder of Stephanie Sipe, a 20-year-old mother found dead in her apartment.
The investigation spanned three years and crossed multiple state lines, Whitfield recalled, culminating with the conviction of Sipe's ex-boyfriend, Ivan Teleguz, and the men he hired to kill her.
Teleguz received the death sentence in 2006 and is appealing. Michael Hetrick admitted to killing Sipe in 2006 and is serving two life terms. Edward Gilkes backed off the murder-for-hire plot at the last minute. He is serving out a 15-year sentence for accessory before the fact to first-degree murder.
"We are speaking for the victim," Whitfield said in explaining the appeal of the often grim work of a police investigator. "That's how I look at it."
Retired Va Beach policeman speaks in Farmville on occult
November 16, 2009 | Virginia News
FARMVILLE -- Juggalos, Wiccans, Satanists and vampires are all subcultures of the occult that are on the periphery of the mainstream.
But the recent quadruple homicide in Farmville at the home of a Longwood University professor has thrust these lifestyles into the headlines.
Don Rimer, a retired member of the Virginia Beach Police Department who studies ritual crime and the occult, spoke yesterday about these cultures and ritual crime to about 100 people at Farmville United Methodist Church.
Geocachers find trinkets and trouble
November 15, 2009 | National News
Hobby using GPS to discover hidden containers prompts additional police scrutiny
When the Loudoun County sheriff's deputy stumbled on the green ammunition can hidden in a Sterling drainage pipe, he did the right thing. He called in the bomb squad.
It turned out to be a false alarm. The bomb techs opened the box and found a few small trinkets, a notebook and a pen inside. It wasn't an ammo box at all. It was one of about 939,000 active "geocaches" worldwide.
Geocaching, an online game in which players use global positioning devices to track down hidden containers at coordinates posted on a Web site, is soaring in popularity.
But what might seem like a harmless hobby is causing increasing consternation for law enforcement. Police and emergency responders must be wary of any suspicious packages in this region. So they are trying to keep a watchful eye on the phenomenon, warning gamers to exercise caution and training officers to recognize the devices.
"It is something that has raised some concerns," said Loudoun sheriff's spokesman Kraig Troxell. "They're everywhere."
Norwood praised as patient, sincere as Richmond police chief
November 8, 2009 | Virginia News
Bryan T. Norwood entered an awkward political environment when he started as Richmond's police chief just over a year ago.
Norwood, the former police chief in Bridgeport, Conn., had been selected by outgoing Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, and he started as chief the day before the election of a new mayor, Dwight C. Jones, who had called for the appointment to be left to the new administration.
In a recent interview, Jones said he's found Norwood to be creative and a hard worker, and said he's "doing a good job."
Norwood sees Richmond as a place to stay.
Richmond area officers recognized for valor
November 7, 2009 | Virginia News
Police officers and firefighters from around the Richmond region were recognized yesterday for their selfless acts of bravery.
They risked their lives to rescue people from burning trucks, water-submerged cars, smoke-filled buildings and collapsed trenches. They also apprehended dangerous criminals with guns.
Two Hanover County sheriff's deputies led the way, receiving gold and silver awards. They were followed by two Richmond police officers and one Henrico County police officer, all of whom received bronze awards. In addition, the area's four major fire and EMS departments received a first-ever "outstanding regional cooperation" award for collectively responding to an incident in which a plumber was nearly buried alive in a 20-foot-deep hole that collapsed. The man was successfully rescued after a nearly six-hour operation.
Northern Virginia task force reports 13% decrease in gang violence
October 28, 2009 | Virginia News
The Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force has released a comprehensive gang assessment for the years 2003 through 2008, which shows an overall 13 percent decrease in gang-related crimes in the region.
The 62-page report looks at gang activity within 1,300 square miles of Northern Virginia, including Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William and Fauquier counties.
National Magazine Honors VSP Trooper for Heroic Actions in 2009
October 22, 2009 | Virginia News
Trooper Kurt Johnson Awarded Honorable Mention by PARADE Magazine / IACP Police Officer of Year Program
RICHMOND – On Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, Virginia State Trooper Kurt J. Johnson was presented with a plaque for receiving Honorable Mention in the 2009 PARADE/IACP Police Officer of the Year program. He is one of ten law enforcement officers across the country selected for the Honorable Mention Award in recognition for their extraordinary police work. All of the officers were recognized nationally in the Oct. 4, 2009 edition of PARADE Magazine.
“Trooper Kurt Johnson is incredibly deserving of this recognition and we are honored he has been chosen for this exceptional act of valor on that February night,” says Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Without hesitation or regard for his own safety, he answered a mother’s call for help, ultimately saving a little girl’s life. He is an example of the commitment our troopers make everyday to protect the public in the performance of one’s duty.”
On the night of Feb. 6, 2009, along Virginia’s Eastern Shore, a young woman was driving south on Route 13 in Accomack Co. with her three small children when her vehicle ran off the road, into a ditch, struck a culvert and flipped over. The impact of the crash caused the car to burst into flames. The woman managed to pull two of her three children to safety. At that moment, Trooper Johnson while on patrol happened to come upon the burning vehicle. The mother screamed to him that her 3 year-old child was trapped inside. Using his portable extinguisher, he attempted to extinguish the fire but the flames were too intense.
“I knew if I didn’t get her out then, I wouldn’t be able to,” says Trooper Kurt Johnson, a two and a half year veteran of the Department and father of two.
Without regard for his own safety, Trooper Johnson crawled into the twisted, upside down, burning vehicle and searched through the black, smoke-filled passenger compartment until he located the little girl. “When I crawled into the car, all I could see was the white of her eyes,” adds Trooper Johnson.
Within seconds of pulling the child to safety, the car was consumed by fire. The child was taken to the hospital for treatment.
The rescue occurred on the little girl’s third birthday.
Trooper Johnson was also recognized by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police for his lifesaving actions. In August, 2009, he was presented with the VACP/VPCF Award for Lifesaving.
The police service awards are presented annually by PARADE and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Established in 1966, the awards recognize specific acts of valor and service above and beyond the call of duty. They also draw attention to the dedicated men and women of our nation’s law enforcement community.
PHOTO GALLERY: http://photos.vachiefs.org/Other/VSP-Trooper-Kurt-Johnson/
JAG Grant Guidelines Posted
October 22, 2009 | Virginia News
The Department of Criminal Justice Services has posted guidelines on its website (http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov) for people interested in submitting grant applications for funding new projects through our Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG).
On the main page of the DCJS website, click on Whats New, then click on Announcing 2010 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Funds. That will get you to the announcement, which contains a link to the guidelines themselves.
Sullivan Steps Down After 37 Years As Timberville’s Top Cop
October 20, 2009 | Virginia News
TIMBERVILLE - Retired Timberville Police Chief Richard Sullivan had his work cut out for him when he took the job in 1972.
Known then as the town sergeant, Sullivan worked 15 to 20 hours a day breaking up drunken brawls and chasing belligerent lushes out of parking lots late at night. For the roughly two decades, Sullivan was the lone cop in Timberville and was essentially on duty 24 hours a day.
Sullivan's last day as chief was Saturday after 37 years on duty. He plans to spend his time working in his garage and around his house.
Elkton Chief To Step Down
October 20, 2009 | Virginia News
Town Council bid adieu Monday to one-third of the Elkton Police Department. Two employees, including the chief, are leaving the six-man department.
Council "reluctantly" voted to accept Police Chief Jim Morris' resignation, with Councilman Lee Dearing casting the lone "no" vote and shooting a smile to Morris.
Morris, 35, had been with the department for nearly a decade. Hs is stepping down as chief to work for a private company that does "police advising."
Lt. Rodney Hensley will be the interim chief.
Lynchburg Police Capt. Brandon Zuidema leaving for N.C. chief’s job
October 20, 2009 | Virginia News
A 15-year veteran of the Lynchburg Police Department is leaving the city to take on a new challenge as the police chief in a North Carolina town.
Capt. Brandon Zuidema, who currently serves as the public information officer and the chief’s staff officer, accepted a position as the town of Garner’s police chief effective Dec. 1. The town announced his hire Monday.
“It’s a neat opportunity for me and my family,” Zuidema said. His wife, Spring, is a high school teacher and the couple has two daughters.
Ashland Police recognized by VML for reducing crime, calls for service in troubled neighborhood
October 15, 2009 | VACP
In Ashland, police were confronted with a substantial spike in crime concentrated in a single neighborhood. From 2005-2007 the corridor encompassing South Taylor, Arlington and Randolph streets (S.T.A.R.) averaged 4.1 police calls for service per residence compared to the average volume in comparable neighborhoods of 1.8 calls per residence.
Residents living in the S.T.A.R. corridor began voicing concerns about their safety and the department responded beginning in January 2008 with a comprehensive strategy designed to increase its presence in the neighborhood and decrease crime. The result was a 50 percent reduction in crime and calls for police service in the targeted area.
The 2009 VML Achievement Awards will be presented October 20 during the VML Annual Conference in Roanoke, VA.
Newport News 6-year-old collects cans, sells toys to protect police dogs
October 14, 2009 | Virginia News
NEWPORT NEWS – Kayleigh Crimmins and Vader seem like old friends: comfortable with each other, affectionate. Their meeting at City Hall Tuesday night is only their second, though. With it, comes a gift that six-year-old Crimmins hopes will keep her four-legged buddy safe.
"My dogs protect me,” says Crimmins, “so we want to protect Vader.”
Nixle to grant $10,000 to top 3 agencies that register most users
October 12, 2009 | VACP
Nixle, a Community Information Service providing one source for access to credible real-time community information, is encouraging the use of its system by local law enforcement agencies and their communities by offering $10,000 to the top three agencies who register the most users per capita over the next 90 days.
Nixle provides proprietary technology to local police departments, city and municipal governments, and their local agencies and community groups enabling the immediate delivery of geographically relevant information to residents and community visitors, through SMS, web, and email distribution.
If you have not already done so, Nixle is encouraging agencies to place a registration link on their website and their locality's main website to help them gain users. Below is an example of a textual registration link that can be placed on the website(s):
"Receive Trusted, Up-To-Date Neighborhood Public Safety and Community Information directly from our department by text message and email. No cost, simple, reliable. Register now by clicking here."
Text link should be pointed to: http://local.nixle.com/register/
Nixle additionally recommends that agencies put out a press release about their community’s use of Nixle. If your agency initially put out a press release, Nixle highly recommends that you do so again as a reminder to your community residents to register for your information.
An example of an effective press release can be found by clicking here.
Agencies will soon have the ability to directly view their user list through their publishing interface. When this functionality is available, agencies will be notified.
A link on your website and additional press releases greatly enhance your community’s awareness of your use of the Nixle service. Any additional promotional materials that you may require, such as citizen registration instruction door hangers may be ordered by sending an email to .
The three $10,000 winners will be announced on December 23, 2009.
Local law enforcement agencies team up with LINX
October 12, 2009 | Virginia News
Local law enforcement agencies are tuning in to some new technology.
The Law Enforcement Information Exchange, or LINX, allows agencies to share criminal data. Now, 85 percent of Virginia's agencies use it. A federal grant helped 12 in the Blue Ridge area, from Botetourt County to Highland County, to sign up. The system consolidates more than 150 law enforcement agencies in the state.
Law enforcement agencies share intelligence in new center
September 29, 2009 | Virginia News
The call came from an intelligence fusion center in Illinois to Virginia's fusion center in Chesterfield County.
Police at the University of Illinois had identified a Virginia resident who had been cyber-stalking two students and threatening to carry out a campus massacre similar to what occurred in 2007 at Virginia Tech. The suspect said by e-mail that he was on his way to the university on Jan. 12, 2008.
The Virginia Fusion Center, housed in Virginia State Police headquarters on Midlothian Turnpike, used the information to find out what kind of car the suspect was driving and to determine that he had no record of firearms purchases in the state. They soon found him through local law enforcement in Southwest Virginia, where he was being held on a mental-health warrant, Virginia State Police said.
Only 59 Percent of Police Agencies Require Officers to Wear Body Armor, Survey Shows
September 23, 2009 | National News
From the Police Executive Research Forum
Washington, DC - Nearly all law enforcement agencies report that they provide body armor to their officers, but only 59 percent of the agencies require their officers to wear body armor at least some of the time, according to a new report by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a Washington, D.C.-based police research and consulting organization.
Agenda for Small Agency Symposium Now Available
September 18, 2009 | VACP
The agenda is now available for the Small Agency Law Enforcement Executive Symposium, to be held September 28-29, 2009 in Abingdon. This training will provide both legal and cultural diversity in-service credits.
If you have not yet registered for the symposium, there is still space available. Please complete the registration form and return it at your earliest convenience.
Small Law Enforcement Agency Executive Symposium Information
Va. improves emergency communication in years after 9/11
September 11, 2009 | Virginia News
Eight years after staring into the smoking inferno of the Pentagon, Virginia State Police Superintendent W. Steven Flaherty still is trying to solve one of the biggest problems faced that day -- rescuers who couldn't talk to one another.
At the Pentagon in Arlington County and the World Trade Center in New York City, heroic efforts were made by firefighters, police and rescue workers who weren't always able to communicate because they used different radio systems.
Arlington firefighters lent one of their radios to firefighters from Washington so they could talk while fighting the blaze caused when an airliner was crashed by terrorists into the heart of America's military establishment.
Solving that communications problem -- called "interoperability" in the emergency-management world -- has been one of Virginia's biggest success stories since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, as well as one of the state's biggest continuing challenges.
Governor Kaine Announces Plan to Address Fiscal Year 2010 Shortfall
September 8, 2009 | Virginia News
Shortfall for remainder of fiscal year just over $1.35 billion
DOWNLOAD GOVERNOR KAINE'S FY 2010 BUDGET REDUCTION PLAN (PDF)
RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced his executive spending reduction plan to meet the FY 2010 revenue shortfall of $1.35 billion. The Governor's plan trims government spending by reducing the scope of some government programs, while protecting K-12 education and other critical government functions.
"The Commonwealth is continuing to manage the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression both responsibly and transparently," Governor Kaine said. "There's no question we remain in the midst of the toughest economy in a generation. But we also remain confident that Virginia will weather the storm and emerge stronger than ever before."
The official revenue reforecast results in a budgetary shortfall of $1.35 billion for FY 2010. The reforecast brings the total revenue shortfall for the biennium to more than $7 billion. This marks the fourth time in the 2008-2010 biennium that Governor Kaine has made budget reductions to meet the challenges presented by the ongoing economic crisis.
Despite the need for major budget reductions for FY 2010, Virginia has minimized the impact on localities, refrained from enacting general tax increases or freezing capital, refrained from issuing any new debt, and implemented strategies using ARRA funding to protect K-12 and decrease budget reductions to 50 percent of what would have been required for higher education. In particular, use of the Revenue Stabilization Fund in FY 2010 enables state leaders to protect certain critical services from major cuts, most prominently K-12 education.
The Governor's savings actions include:
- Recovering over $74 million in general fund and more than $68 million in nongeneral fund balances from FY 2009;
- Capturing savings of over $22 million resulting from Governor's directives to agencies in May to immediately implement cuts in discretionary spending;
- Reducing agency spending by over $403 million, based primarily on the recommendations made by state agencies in their 5, 10, and 15 percent reduction strategies; and
- Further savings are achieved through targeted strategies that will reduce general fund spending by an additional $446 million-including more than $104 million in reduced payments to the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) for the final quarter of FY 2010. Contribution rates for the Commonwealth and its employees will be changed in July at the beginning of the next biennium to adequately fund the long-term needs of the retirement system.
The Governor's reduction strategies include:
- $18 million in improved business practices and efficiencies;
- Nearly $235 million in the reduction or elimination of current services;
- More than $170 million in reduced personnel costs; and
- More than $28 million in reduced discretionary expenses.
Other major actions in the Governor's reduction plan include:
- The elimination of 929 positions-including 593 layoffs.
- Reductions of 13 or 15 percent to institutions of higher education.
- Reductions in administrative costs that will prevent deeper cuts in direct service delivery.
- Restructuring of Department of Corrections facilities, closing two older facilities and one juvenile correction facility.
- A one-day furlough of all state employees on the Friday proceeding Memorial Day 2010. Agencies with critical or emergency personnel are instructed to accommodate staffing needs and make adjustments to the furlough date accordingly.
At 6.9 percent, Virginia's unemployment rate remains approximately two points below the national average and is among the lowest in the nation-especially for a large state. At the same time, Virginia is one of only 7 states that has maintained its AAA bond rating by each major ratings agency.
"While the choices are not getting any easier, Virginia has consistently and thoughtfully worked to protect our highest priorities from the worst consequences of the worst economic downturn since the 1930s," said Governor Kaine. "Even in these tough times, we're continuing to protect access to quality education and maintaining a pro-business environment that encourages economic opportunity for all Virginians."
Virginia Drunk Drivers: No One Is Above the Consequences
September 2, 2009 | Virginia News
Statewide Initiative Decreases Alcohol-Related Fatalities
RICHMOND, Va. – In the heart of Richmond’s popular bar district Shockoe Bottom, Virginia Attorney General William C. Mims joined law enforcement officers to kick off the Commonwealth’s 2009 Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign.
As summer fun gives way to tailgates and frat parties, the anti-drunk driving initiative is back in action with stepped-up law enforcement activities, including sobriety checkpoints. Last year in Virginia, alcohol-related traffic fatalities were among the lowest in the past decade. Data issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles shows a six-percent decrease in the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities from 378 in 2007 to 354 in 2008. However, 43-percent of Virginia’s total traffic fatalities remained alcohol-related last year.
“The fact that alcohol is still a major contributing factor to Virginia’s overall traffic fatalities is a harsh reminder that we must continue to crackdown on this issue,” stated Attorney General Mims. “Drunk drivers put everyone’s life at risk. Reducing the number of alcohol-related incidents on our roads continues to be a top priority in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Not including Virginia State Police, local law enforcement agencies have already conducted 511 sobriety checkpoints yielding 13,800 DUI arrests to-date this year. Beginning this Labor Day weekend, state and local law enforcement will increase their efforts of enforcing traffic laws and deterring impaired driving. These efforts include at least one sobriety checkpoint and/or saturation patrol every single week in Virginia through the end of 2009.
“Nobody should ever feel the need to drive impaired,” said Lieutenant Colonel Robert Northern, Deputy Superintendent, Virginia State Police. “Law enforcement agencies across the state will be hitting the roads to target would-be drunk drivers. If you take the risk, you will get caught and the consequences are severe.”
The region-wide Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign combines stepped-up law enforcement efforts and proactive public education to effectively erase borders between jurisdictions in fighting drunk driving. A significant multi-media campaign, encompassing radio and television, will run nearly 34,000 ads on a total of 125 broadcast stations, cable systems and radio stations in Virginia between August and December. Additionally, targeted internet advertising is expected to garner approximately five-million impressions over the course of the campaign.
MWR Strategies, a Richmond-based research firm that has conducted Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign surveys since 2002, conducted a public opinion survey of 800 drivers in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia in July 2009 for Checkpoint Strikeforce. Among the campaign’s targeted audience of males aged 21 to 35, key findings include:
- The biggest fear amongst this group of local male drivers as a result of driving while intoxicated is killing or injuring someone else (75-percent), more than arrest (two-percent) or their own death (ten-percent).
- Nearly three-quarters (72-percent) of these local drivers perceive drunk driving as one of the most serious dangers faced on area roadways.
- More than nine-out-of-ten (93-percent) of this group of local male drivers support the use sobriety checkpoints.
- Nearly two-out-of-five (19-percent) of these local drivers said that they would (or have) changed their behavior knowing that sobriety checkpoints were being held in their area.
In addition to the Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign, the Virginia Highway Safety Office encourages the use of designated drivers as a means of deterring impaired driving via its HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers (www.drivesmartva.org). The statewide campaign, modeled after a New Jersey-based designated driver effort stemming from the drunk driving death of U.S. Naval Ensign John Elliott, partners the state Highway Safety Office with Drive Smart Virginia and the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association to help us raise awareness about the importance of planning for an evening out by using a designated driver.
The Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign is supported by a grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ Highway Safety Office.
# # #
Get more information at http://www.checkpointstrikeforce.net/educate.html, and listen to the ads at http://www.checkpointstrikeforce.net/vadui.html.
Governor Kaine Announces $17 Million in Highway Safety Grants
September 2, 2009 | Virginia News
Decline in fatalities attributed to grant-funded programs
RICHMOND–Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced the award of more than $17 million in federal grants to support traffic safety programs in Virginia. Grant recipients include local, non-profit and state organizations that strive to reduce the number of traffic deaths and injuries on the Commonwealth's roadways.
"Though traffic fatalities in Virginia are down over last year, we are still experiencing an unacceptably high number of preventable deaths on our roadways," Governor Kaine said. "These programs are proving successful at reducing our highway fatalities and encouraging safe driving habits, and I am happy they will be getting federal support."
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles' (DMV) Virginia Highway Safety Office works with safety partners throughout the Commonwealth to ensure yearly progress toward the goals of the state's safety grants program. Traffic safety programs receiving grant funds work toward:
- increasing safety belt and child safety seat usage
- deterring impaired and aggressive driving
- lowering motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian injuries and fatalities
- promoting awareness of risks for teen and senior drivers
Grant-funded enforcement efforts such as "Operation Air, Land and Speed," "Click It or Ticket," and "Checkpoint Strikeforce" have contributed to the recent reduction in traffic deaths and increase in seat belt use in Virginia. As of July 31, 2009 preliminary data indicates there were 68 (13.8 percent) fewer traffic fatalities in Virginia compared to this same time period last year. Traffic fatalities for 2008 (821) were the lowest since 1966. An Old Dominion University survey of nearly 24,000 vehicle occupants revealed the Virginia seat belt use rate as 82.27 percent, the highest rate ever.
"While this is certainly good news on one level, there's no such thing as an 'acceptable' number of traffic deaths, except zero," said D.B. Smit, DMV Commissioner and the Governor's Highway Safety Representative. "We cannot become complacent. We must not lose sight of the fact that according to the latest data, a crash occurs on our roadways every 4.3 minutes resulting in more than two lives being lost and 184 people being injured every day in Virginia."
Thirty percent of the $17 million in federal grants was awarded to localities, 21 percent to non-profit organizations, 44 percent to state agencies and 5 percent to higher education entities. For a complete list of grant recipients, please visit: http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/safety/grants/2010grantawards.pdf
Deputy Ray laid to rest
September 2, 2009 | Virginia News
Friends recall fun-loving, caring man
COURTLAND—Hundreds of mourners, many of them in uniform from police, fire and rescue departments from around the region, came to pay their respects and say goodbye Monday to Christopher Darby Ray, a 22-year-old Southampton County deputy who was killed in a car accident Saturday morning.
Southampton County deputy sheriff dies in car accident
August 31, 2009 | Virginia News
COURTLAND, VA - The Southampton County Sheriff's Office is saddened by the loss of Deputy Sheriff Christopher Ray, 22, who succumbed to injuries he sustained following a motor vehicle accident early Saturday morning while responding to a call for service.
Preliminary investigations show that the vehicle Deputy Ray was riding in, struck a tree that had fallen across the roadway on General Thomas Highway (Rt. 671) near Handsom Road outside of Franklin.
The VACP requests that Virginia law enforcement officers shroud their badges through the day of memorial services for Deputy Christopher Ray - Monday, August 31.
Deputy Ray, 22, joined the Southampton County Sheriff's Office on June 1, 2009, after completing his education at Radford University, where he majored in Criminal Justice. Deputy Ray served an internship with the Sheriff's Office during the summer of 2008.
Deputy Sheriff Jason Brinkley was also involved in the accident and sustained non-life threatening injuries. Deputy Brinkley was treated and released from the hospital.
The thoughts and prayers of the entire Southampton County Sheriff's Office go out to Deputy Ray's family and Deputy Brinkley and his family in this most difficult time.
The accident is being investigated by the Virginia State Police.
Copyright © 2009, WTKR-TV
Pr. William, Loudoun Weigh Staying in U.S. Immigration Program
August 27, 2009 | Virginia News
Law enforcement agencies in two Northern Virginia suburbs are reviewing sweeping changes to a federal illegal immigration program before deciding whether to remain involved.
Officials with the Prince William County Police Department and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said they were reviewing planned changes in their immigration enforcement partnerships with the Department of Homeland Security, known as the 287(g) program.
Alexandrian Becomes City’s 1st Black Police Chief
August 26, 2009 | Virginia News
Earl L. Cook took over as Alexandria's first black police chief Tuesday. Cook, a 30-year veteran of the department, has been acting chief since late last month when then-Chief David P. Baker was arrested for drunken driving in Arlington County.
Applications increase for public-safety jobs in Richmond region
August 24, 2009 | Virginia News
The ailing economy appears to be fueling an increased interest in public-safety jobs in the Richmond area, including among people who were laid off from positions in other fields.
Area police and fire-rescue agencies are reporting spikes in the number of job applications. Some job seekers who are unemployed -- or who expect they soon will be -- view government jobs as relatively stable options for the long term, officials say.
Because of a tight budget, Hanover County Fire-EMS is only filling "mission-critical" paid positions. But more people are signing up for volunteer slots that they hope will lead to paid jobs in Hanover or with other fire-rescue agencies, said Cris Leonard, volunteer membership coordinator.
Lexington Police Chief Crowder Announces His Retirement
August 24, 2009 | Virginia News
Chief Steven E. Crowder will retire from his position on Dec. 31.
by Roberta Anderson
The Lexington News-Gazette
The announcement of Crowder’s impending retirement was made at Thursday’s City Council meeting by City Manager Jon Ellestad. Ellestad distributed a memo from Crowder to Council members announcing his decision. Ellestad noted Crowder has served 34 years as a police officer and is eligible for retirement.
In the memo, Crowder thanked Ellestad for his support throughout the years as well as retired Chief Bruce Beard, City Council and his family. “Few people ever realize what a family endures in our profession, and I have certainly been blessed with their understanding and support,” Crowder wrote.
Crowder also emphasized that his decision to retire is “purely personal” and not related to any complaints “concerning a perception that some may feel that our agency is overly aggressive … I look forward to pursuing the Citizen’s Academy program that I recently submitted that I feel will help with this misconception.”
Crowder concluded by pledging his support to assist with a smooth transition to his successor within the administration of the department and vowed to play a supporting role in the future “wherever my experience could be utilized.”
Crowder was appointed chief of the Lexington department in 2006.
Ellestad told Council that the city’s first priority is to hire a fire and rescue chief, a position for which 87 applications have been received. He also said the city may hold the police chief’s position open after Jan. 1, 2010, in order to allow money to accumulate in the budget until more definite information is received from the state concerning additional budget cuts in the upcoming fiscal year. “The department is running smoothly under Chief Crowder and I’m sure it will continue to do so,” Ellestad said.
(This is part of the August 19, 2009 online edition of The Lexington News-Gazette.)
Gubernatorial candidate McDonnell pitches his views to police
August 17, 2009 | VACP
NEWPORT NEWS — Republican Bob McDonnell wants lifetime monitoring for violent sexual predators, mandatory sentences for twice-convicted drug dealers and an expanded drug court program if he is elected governor.
McDonnell, the state's former attorney general, rolled out his agenda for improving the state's public safety system Wednesday, August 12 at the annual meeting of Virginia police chiefs.
Montgomery County Regional 911 Center Gains Support
August 16, 2009 | Virginia News
Montgomery County agencies press forward on a plan to consolidate their emergency response communications. Radford and Radford University, however, may join forces separate from the larger group.
Salem Police Capt. Jeff Dudley Named As Chief Bryant’s Successor
August 13, 2009 | Virginia News
Lt. Tim Guthrie Appointed Next Captain
When he began working for the Salem Police Department back in 1977, Jeff Dudley was a 19-year-old just thankful for an entry level position. Now 32 years later, he is Salem’s new Police Chief.
The appointment to the Police Department’s top post was made by City Manager Kevin Boggess this afternoon and will take effect on November 1, 2009 when retiring Chief James R. Bryant steps down.
“Filling the Chief of Police position is rarely an easy task, but in this case it may have been one of the easiest decisions I have had to make,” says Kevin Boggess, Salem City Manager. “Capt. Dudley has an excellent reputation both inside and outside the Police Department. He has worked in the Department for over 30 years and during that time he has built a relationship with the staff and community that makes him the perfect person to lead the Salem Police Department.”
“I appreciate the confidence the City Manager and City Council have shown in me for this position,” says Dudley. “The Salem Police Department has very dedicated and qualified individuals working for it and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to lead them. I cannot express in words how this opportunity feels.”
Dudley is a Roanoke County native who graduated from Northside High School and picked up an Associate degree from Virginia Western before earning both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Radford University. He also is a graduate of the Virginia Forensic Academy and the FBI National Academy in Quantico.
“I feel like I’ve grown up at the Police Department and having risen through the ranks, I know that the experiences I’ve had at each level will prove to be very beneficial to me as we move forward,” says Dudley.
After spending a year as a dispatcher, Dudley was sworn in as a Police Officer in April of 1978 and assigned to the Patrol Division. In July of 1983, he moved to the detective division where he spent 6 years as a general investigator and crime scene technician. During this time he worked on two of Salem’s most high profile cases.
He was involved in the Dennis West case where West was convicted of the brutal murder of his wife in their Salem home in 1988, and the case of Dennis Eaton, who went on a crime spree in 1989 killing Virginia State Trooper Jerry Hines in Rockbridge Co. along with 2 others in the Shenandoah valley and one in Salem where he was apprehended by Salem Police.
In April of 1989, Dudley was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the Services Division where he was instrumental in the development of Salem’s popular Camp D.A.R.E. He also served as a Sergeant and first line supervisor in the Patrol Division before rising to the rank of Lieutenant in January 1994. On November 1, 1995, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Police, a position he has held to this day.
“I am very grateful for the support and words of encouragement I have received over the last week from members of the department and city staff and employees,” says Dudley. “I feel like the experiences I have had with former Chief Haskins for 18 years and with Chief Bryant for the last 14 years will prove to be invaluable as we move forward with the future of the department.”
“Jeff Dudley is a very capable and knowledgeable individual who will do a tremendous job for the City of Salem,” says Chief Bryant. “It’s personally gratifying to know that he can step into this position.”
Boggess and Dudley conferred with one another about the appointment of Salem’s new Deputy Chief and both are pleased to announce that Lt. Tim Guthrie will assume that role and rise to the rank of Captain on November 1st.
Guthrie has been with the department since 1981 and during that stretch he has served as a Patrol and Traffic Officer, Narcotics and General Investigations Detective, Detective and Services Division Sergeant and the department’s Services Division Lieutenant, his current post.
The William Fleming graduate holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice and is currently attending Hollins University pursuing a Master’s Degree. Guthrie also is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
“Over the years I have worked with many people who have made this opportunity possible,” says Guthrie. “The guidance and support given to me by Chief Bryant and Captain Dudley will always be valued and respected not only by me, but by every member of the department. It is indeed a pleasure to serve the citizens of this great city.”
A majority of the promotions that both Dudley and Guthrie received prior to this appointment took place when Harry Haskins was Salem’s Police Chief.
“I am very proud of these two men and we’re very fortunate to have them in Salem,” says Haskins. “They are great leaders and I look forward to seeing their accomplishments. I’m so pleased with the City Manager’s decision.”
“Salem has a reputation for outstanding leadership development, and Captain Dudley and Lt. Guthrie are examples of why that reputation is well deserved,” says Boggess.
VACP Installs 2009-2010 Board of Officers
August 11, 2009 | VACP
Colonel Richard J. Rappoport, City of Fairfax Police Chief, completes term as VACP President; Chief M. Douglas Scott, Arlington County Police Chief, becomes 2009-2010 President
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police on August 11 held its election and installation of officers for the 2009-2010 Executive Board during the Valor Awards Banquet of the VACP’s Annual Conference in Newport News, VA. The new board members are:
PRESIDENT – Chief M. Douglas Scott, Arlington County – Chief M. Douglas Scott has nearly 33 years of law enforcement experience with almost 11 years serving in the position of Chief of Police. He was appointed Chief of Police in Arlington County, Virginia, in April 2003. Chief Scott began his law enforcement career as a Police Cadet with the Fairfax County Police Department in 1975. In 1995, Chief Scott was appointed as the Chief of Police for Fairfax County. In 1998, he retired from Fairfax County and was named Chief of Police in the City of Fairfax Police Department. He left local law enforcement briefly in 2000 to join federal service when he accepted a position as an Assistant Inspector General for the U.S. Department of the Interior. Chief Scott currently serves on the Executive Board of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Chief Scott holds an Associate’s degree in Police Science, a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from George Mason University. He is also a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy and the FBI’s National Executive Institute.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT – Col. Richard Rappoport, City of Fairfax – Chief Rappoport has a Bachelors degree in Justice from American University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville. Chief Rappoport is a member of IACP’s Civil Rights Committee and the chair of the VACP Professional Image and Ethics Committee.
1ST VICE PRESIDENT – Chief Douglas Davis, Waynesboro – Chief Davis serves on the Association’s Training Committee and Highway Safety Committee. He is a graduate of the Foundation’s Professional Executive Leadership School, and is known for his expertise in police communications and patrol operations. Chief Davis has a Master’s Degree in Justice and Risk Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.
2ND VICE PRESIDENT – Chief Bruce Marquis, Norfolk – Chief Marquis has master degrees in Criminal Justice Management and Business Administration, and holds a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Management. Chief Marquis has been a member of the IACP’s Homeland Security Committee for four years. He serves on the Law Enforcement Officers Advisory Group (LCAG) related to the distribution, regionally, of funds to support Homeland Security initiatives. He is also a member of the Virginia Area Maritime Security Committee (VAMSC) and serves on the VAMSC Executive Board. Chief Marquis also has served as the president of the Hampton Roads Chiefs Association for the past two years and has been a member of VACP’s Executive Board since 2006.
3RD VICE PRESIDENT – Chief Richard Clark, Galax – Chief Clark has a master’s degree in Criminal Justice, and has been chief of police since 2001. His agency has been accredited by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission, and he led the City of Galax to certification as a Crime Prevention Community. He represents the VACP on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Center for Policing Innovation.
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Chief Mark Marshall, Smithfield – Chief Marshall is currently the 2nd Vice President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation’s Professional Executive Leadership School. He teaches regularly in the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation’s New Chiefs/Deputy Chiefs School, and is an expert in police personnel management. He is involved with several initiatives involving information sharing, including the N-DEx project and the LInX program. Chief Marshall’s Smithfield Police Department is one of the smallest departments in the state to receive professional agency accreditation.
Chief James Williams, Staunton – Chief Williams has a master’s degree in Criminal Justice, and is a graduate of the FBI Academy. He represents the VACP on the Virginia Amber Alert Board, and on the Law Enforcement Executives Advisory Committee of the Virginia Crime Prevention Association. Since October, 2007, he has served as the Virginia representative to the State Associations of Chiefs of Police (SACOP) division of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Chief Williams is on the Patrol and Tactical Operations Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Chief Timothy Longo, Charlottesville – Chief Longo has a law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law, and has completed the Senior Management Institute for Police sponsored by the Police Executive Research Forum. He has experience in global strategic management consulting, and has served as project coordinator for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department’s Communications Technology initiatives. Chief Longo served with the Baltimore Police Department from 1981-2000, rising to the rank of Chief of Technical Services. He represents the VACP on the Special Olympics Virginia Board of Directors, the Virginia Center for Policing Innovation Board of Directors and on the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission.
Chief A. M. “Jake” Jacocks, Jr., Virginia Beach – Chief Jacocks began his career with the Virginia Beach Police Department as a civilian Precinct Desk Officer in December 1971 at the age of 19 and became a sworn officer in 1973. Then in 2000, he was appointed Chief of Police after a seven-month nationwide search. Chief Jacocks holds an Associates Degree in Police Science, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology and a Master of Public Administration degree. He is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s 64th Administrative Officers Course, the Police Executive Leadership School at the University of Richmond, P.E.R.F’s Senior Management Institute for Police, the F.B.I’s National Executive Institute and Leadership Hampton Roads.
He is a member of the Executive Board and the Homeland Security and By-Laws Committees of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Executive Board of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Legislative and Highway Safety Committees of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Criminal Justice Services Board and their Asset Forfeiture, Grant and By-Laws sub-committees and the Chesapeake Bay Alcohol Safety Action Program Policy Board.
Chief Gary W. Roche, Pulaski – Chief Roche has been Chief of Police in Pulaski since 2001, and has a Masters Degree in Administration of Justice. He is a graduate of the FBI Academy and the Professional Executive Leadership School. He has served as president of the Blue Ridge Association of Chiefs of Police, and currently serves on the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission.
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police is a statewide organization of federal, state and local police chiefs and law enforcement executives dedicated to improving the professionalism of police agencies in Virginia. The Association was founded in 1926 and has more than 600 members. The Association provides annual training programs for law enforcement executives, directs a statewide traffic safety program for law enforcement, produces Freedom of Information Act guidelines for law enforcement and advocates for law enforcement interests at the state and federal level.
CAPTION: Front, l. to r. -- Second Vice President Chief Bruce Marquis, Norfolk; First Vice President Chief Doug Davis, Waynesboro; President Chief Doug Scott, Arlington County; Third Vice President Chief Rick Clark, Galax; and Immediate Past President Chief Rick Rappoport, City of Fairfax. Back, l. to r. -- Executive Board Members Chief Jake Jacocks, Virginia Beach; Chief Mark Marshall, Smithfield; Chief Jim Williams, Staunton; Chief Tim Longo, Charlottesville; and Chief Gary Roche, Pulaski.
Seven Virginia Officers Receive 2009 VACP/VPCF Awards for Valor
August 11, 2009 | VACP
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police on August 11, 2009 presented seven Virginia police officers from six agencies with the Association’s highest honor, the Award for Valor. The awards are presented at the Valor Awards Banquet at the annual conference of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, held this year at the Newport News Marriott at City Center in Newport News, Virginia. The awards program is a joint effort of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation.
The Award for Valor recognizes a law enforcement officer who, in the line of duty, performs an act of extraordinary heroism while engaged with an adversary at imminent personal risk.
Officers receiving the 2009 Awards for Valor are:
Chesapeake Police Department
Officer Sean M. Fleming – Award for Valor
(Officer Anthony Kelly – Award for Lifesaving)
On June 1, 2009 at approximately 4:15 p.m., Chesapeake Police Officer Sean Fleming was on his way home from work. While driving, he noticed two marked police vehicles operating their emergency equipment and attempting to stop a white van. He quickly became aware via his portable radio that a felony pursuit was in progress and began to drive in the direction of his fellow officers.
While approaching the scene, a lone individual exited a wood line along the roadway and immediately caught sight of Officer Fleming, who was still in his uniform and operating his personal vehicle. The individual leveled an AK-style assault rifle in Officer Fleming’s direction and opened fire. Officer Fleming’s vehicle was riddled with no fewer than twenty bullet holes, four which hit Officer Fleming. Undeterred and possessing a will to survive, Officer Fleming immediately returned fire. Still maintaining his composure after the incoming shots subsided, he broadcast over the radio that he had been hit numerous times.
Chesapeake Police Officer Anthony Kelly arrived at the chaotic scene during the exchange of gunfire. Information available at the time indicated other suspects had fled the traffic stop and might also be in the wood line in possession of assault rifles. Officer Kelly immediately responded to Officer Fleming’s location and dragged him several yards to an area of relative cover. Additional responding officers assisted Officer Kelly in moving Officer Fleming to an even safer location where they began to administer first aid. Officer Anthony Kelly willingly and without hesitation responded to the imminent need of a fellow officer. For his actions, he is recognized with the VACP/VPCF Award for Lifesaving.
Officer Sean Fleming willingly responded to the aid of his fellow officers when he could have instead chosen to let on-duty officers handle the situation. Once confronted and out-gunned by an armed adversary, he never gave up. His actions stopped an immediate and deadly threat to other officers and citizens. For his actions, he is recognized with the VACP/VPCF Award for Valor.
Fredericksburg Police Department
Officer Joe Young
On the night of June 6, 2008, Fredericksburg Officer Todd Bahr was shot and killed in the line of duty while pursuing an armed suspect. During that incident of tragedy and chaos, Officer Joe Young responded with exceptional bravery and tactical thinking to the deadly set of circumstances that resulted in the death of Officer Bahr.
When Officer Young realized that the armed suspect involved in a domestic altercation was heading toward his location in an apartment complex, he first secured the female target and her family members inside the apartment with instructions to barricade themselves. Officer Young removed his civilian ride-along to another area with instructions to conceal himself until he was given the all-clear. Officer Young then repositioned his patrol car away from the intended victim’s location in a successful effort to divert the attention of the gunman. He placed himself on the landing overlooking the parking lot as the final barrier between the gunman and his target.
Moments later, the gunman ran into the parking lot and stopped at the patrol car, then immediately began shooting toward two Fredericksburg Sheriff’s Office deputies who were responding as back-up. Officer Young engaged in a gun battle with the suspect. The gunman was struck four times before he ultimately took his own life with a self-inflicted shot to the head.
Officer Young controlled a chaotic situation and never lost sight of his primary objective of protecting the citizens he serves. He was not aware that earlier the armed suspect had shot and killed Joe’s friend and squad-mate Officer Todd Bahr and was heading directly to his ex-girlfriend’s home with obvious deadly intentions. Officer Young’s actions on the night of June 6 undoubtedly saved the lives of fellow officers and innocent civilians, and set an example of outstanding and professional police work.
Hampton Division of Police
SPO Christopher L. Munger
While training a new patrol officer on a summer evening in 2008, Hampton Senior Police Officer Christopher L. Munger was called to assist with a traffic stop. Upon arriving, he positioned himself behind the rear passenger door of the suspect vehicle. As another K-9 officer approached the driver’s side of the vehicle, the K-9 alerted by scratching at the suspect’s automobile.
While the originating officer began to remove the driver from the vehicle, the front seat passenger appeared to be trying to remove something from his pockets. As Officer Munger slowly approached the passenger side window, the passenger pulled out a small black handgun and fired two shots towards the Officer. Officer Munger, having been only a foot away, felt a piercing sensation in his chest. He then drew his weapon, moved back towards a police unit for cover and began exchanging gunfire. The suspect exited the vehicle and fled. Officer Munger radioed for a medic and walked back over to assist fellow officers with the remaining suspects. Not knowing whether the bullets had penetrated his vest, he stood by one of the police vehicles and began removing his equipment and clothing to determine his status. To his relief, the two bullets had not penetrated his ballistic vest but did remain only inches from his person. Medics arrived and shortly afterward Officer Munger was transported to a local hospital for observation.
If not for the use of a ballistic vest, this incident could have ended in tragedy. Officer Munger’s confidence, calmness and tactical response were text-book reactions produced by his years of training. He engaged an armed suspect open-handedly without concern for his own safety. As a result, every Division officer has a renewed appreciation for the excellent contribution that SPO Christopher Munger made not only for his fellow officers and the Hampton Police Division, but for the citizens of the city in which he serves.
Norfolk Police Department
Officer Victor E. Decker
On March 19, 2009, Norfolk Officer Victor E. Decker confronted two armed suspects who had just committed a robbery and shooting, the victim of which later died.
Shortly after midnight, Marlon Sanders and Brighton Alderman walked up to Brian Carter, who was sitting in his car in downtown Norfolk. Sanders and Alderman demanded money and then shot Mr. Carter in the head and fled the scene.
Officer Victor E. Decker was alone on bicycle patrol on Plume Street when he heard several gunshots from the area of Bank Street. He notified the dispatcher and immediately rode towards the area of the gunfire. As he approached the area, Officer Decker encountered Sanders and Alderman running towards him and saw that Sanders had a black semi automatic handgun in his hand.
Officer Decker leaped from his bike and confronted the suspects, giving commands for Sanders to drop his weapon. Sanders refused and turned the gun on Officer Decker, firing several times. Officer Decker returned fire, striking Sanders, while successfully ordering Alderman to the ground.
Officer Decker handcuffed Sanders, and secured the suspect’s handgun. He went to Alderman and handcuffed him and found he was armed with a knife. Officer Decker then called for assistance to include officers and paramedics. The suspect, Marlon Sanders, died at the scene. Other officers who arrived on scene checked the area and found the robbery victim, Brian Carter, suffering from a gunshot wound. Mr. Carter was rushed to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Officer Victor E. Decker stood alone in the face of danger, under fire, and stopped two fleeing armed predators that robbed and killed 24-year-old Brain Carter. Officer Decker’s performance under fire was heroic and an example of extraordinary valor.
Richmond Police Department
Officer Daniel Awad
On October 10, 2008, Richmond Officer Daniel Awad responded to a call of a robbery and shooting at Crossroads Coffee shop. While responding, Officer Awad and his training officer stopped to identify a possible suspect who then ran from them.
Without hesitation, Officer Awad jumped out of his police car and chased the suspect down an alley. While in foot pursuit, the suspect took aim and fired at Officer Awad.
There was no available cover and Officer Awad kept chasing. He then helped set up a perimeter where the suspect was caught and arrested.
In the face of mortal danger, Officer Awad demonstrated extreme courage in continuing a chase that led to the apprehension of an extremely violent person. Because of his courage and determination, he is presented with the 2009 Award for Valor.
Virginia Beach Police Department
Officer Eli C. Kendrick
On December 21, 2008, Officer Eli C. Kendrick was off-duty, washing his personal vehicle at a car wash. He was approached by a masked suspect armed with a semi-automatic pistol, demanding his property. Officer Kendrick calmly complied, handing the suspect his wallet, car keys and cell phone. Officer Kendrick grabbed the suspect’s gun, and they engaged in a physical confrontation. The suspect struck Officer Kendrick on the right side of the head, causing him to bleed from his right ear.
Officer Kendrick overpowered the suspect, took the gun away and fired one round from the suspect’s pistol at the suspect. The round missed the suspect and the handgun malfunctioned. As he attempted to clear the malfunction, the suspect fled. Officer Kendrick began to chase the suspect, and was confronted by a second suspect. After a short chase, the two suspects turned to face Officer Kendrick, who tried to order the suspects to the ground. Officer Kendrick and the suspects were engaged in a verbal confrontation when the first suspect dropped Officer Kendrick’s property on the ground. Officer Kendrick moved closer, hoping to obtain his cell phone and call for help. Officer Kendrick struck the first suspect, causing him to fall to the ground, and the second suspect began assaulting Officer Kendrick.
Both suspects fled the scene. As Officer Kendrick chased the suspects, he called Emergency Communications, notifying them of the robbery and requesting assistance.
Officer L. Beach and Master Police Officer J. Monts were nearby and apprehended the first suspect. The second suspect was taken into custody a short time later without further incident.
Officer Kendrick exhibited conspicuous gallantry and bravery, and his actions were well above and beyond the call of duty of a law enforcement officer, earning him the 2009 Award for Valor.
(It should be noted that since that incident occurred, Kendrick resigned from the Virginia Beach Police Department as a full-time sworn officer, but transitioned to the Auxiliary Officer’s Program. He is currently assigned to VBPD’s Fourth Police Precinct.)
Virginia Beach Police Department
MPO Christian K. Wright
On February 26, 2008, Virginia Beach Master Police Officer Christian K. Wright was assigned to the midnight shift at the 4th precinct. Since working at that precinct most of his career, MPO Wright developed a great working knowledge of a specific zone, which in this case was 420 zone. At 11:16 p.m. on this date, MPO Wright noticed an individual walking behind a convenience store in the 6600 block of Indian River Road and Macdonald Road.
MPO Wright pulled his vehicle over to the side of the road and began to ask the individual what he was doing behind the building. The individual stated he had just come from the bus stop and was cutting through behind the building. MPO Wright was familiar with his zone and knew there was no bus stop located near the area and began to ask him more questions. The individual became nervous while answering questions. Furthermore, during the questioning, MPO Wright noticed the top portion of a hand gun in the suspect’s rear pocket. MPO Wright began to order the individual to put his hands up and get on the ground.
At first, the individual was cooperative and got on the ground, lying on his stomach. It was at this time that MPO Wright made a radio transmission relaying his encounter with an armed individual. MPO Wright approached the suspect and while attempting to handcuff him, the suspect knocked MPO Wright off balance as his second hand was about to be cuffed. The suspect returned to his feet, but MPO Wright followed, continually attempting to gain custody of the suspect. The suspect, while resisting, struck MPO Wright in the head with the hand that had been secured with the handcuffs, causing him to sustain a contusion and various abrasions. MPO Wright pushed the suspect backwards, creating distance between himself and the suspect. The suspect became frustrated and began to reach for the weapon in his rear pocket. At that time MPO Wright drew his service weapon and shot the suspect.
The suspect fled on foot and later collapsed and succumbed to his wounds about 50-60 yards from the initial scene. During this incident, MPO Wright had no idea that the suspect he had encountered in a deadly force situation had just committed an armed robbery of a pizza restaurant located across the street from where the encounter occurred. The victim of that robbery had not yet contacted the police. MPO Wright also sustained an injury to his finger during the encounter, which required several weeks recovery time.
MPO Wright’s keen police skills and training and his experience in this particular zone prevented the suspect from escaping with this crime as well as possibly committing more crimes. MPO Wright’s bravery and willingness to win the fight has earned him the 2009 Award for Valor.
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police is a statewide organization of federal, state and local police chiefs and law enforcement executives dedicated to improving the professionalism of police agencies in Virginia. The Association was founded in 1926 and has more than 600 members. The Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation is a charitable educational foundation created by the VACP to provide training and education programs for law enforcement executives.
CAPTION: Front, l. to r. -- SPO Christopher L. Munger, Hampton; Officer Eli C. Kendrick, Virginia Beach; and Officer Sean M. Fleming, Chesapeake.
Back, l. to r. -- Officer Daniel Awad, Richmond; Officer Joe Young, Fredericksburg; and Officer Victor E. Decker, Norfolk.
(Not pictured: MPO Christian K. Wright, Virginia Beach. Officer Wright was unable to attend the awards banquet.)
VACP/VPCF Recognize Twenty-One Virginia Officers with 2009 Lifesaving Award
August 11, 2009 | VACP
Twenty-one Virginia police officers are the recipients of the 2009 Lifesaving Awards presented by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP) and the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation (VPCF). The awards were announced on Tuesday, August 11 at the VACP/VPCF Annual Conference in Newport News, Virginia. The award recipients will be personally presented with their Lifesaving Awards by their agencies at a later date.
The Lifesaving Award recognizes an officer’s actions that put the officer in harm’s way in an attempt to save the live of another individual. The awards were given to the recipients’ police chiefs to be presented at ceremonies at the officers’ agencies.
The 2009 VACP/VPCF Lifesaving Award recipients are as follows:
Alexandria Police Department
Officer Jeetphal Panesar
On February 2, 2008, Officer Jeetphal Panesar was heading west on Duke Street when he heard the Emergency Communication Technician (ECT) dispatch a call for a two-car crash in the 4600 block of Duke Street. Officer Panesar was not dispatched to the crash; however, he was near the location and volunteered to go to the scene.
Officer Panesar rushed to the scene and was the first officer to arrive. He saw one vehicle overturned, still slightly teetering, and smoke was everywhere. He saw the driver of the other vehicle coming towards him and he was covered in blood. Officer Panesar spoke with him and quickly determined that, despite his appearance, he was okay. Officer Panesar then ran towards the overturned car and saw the driver strapped in her seat looking dazed. As he peered into the back of the vehicle, he noticed a small child dangling from her seat with the seat belt wrapped tightly around her neck. The child was struggling to get free, but was tightening the seat belt around her throat with her movements. Officer Panesar tried to open the door, but it would not budge. He then smashed through the window to get to the child, getting shards of glass in his eyes in the process. After several attempts, he was unable to undo the child's seat belt. Using a knife that he always carried with him, Officer Panesar cut through the seat belts and caught the child as she fell. At that point, he noticed another child in the car and was able to get her out of her seat without difficulty. He then quickly rushed the two children towards safety.
Officer Panesar handed the children to other officers that arrived on the scene and then ran back to the overturned vehicle to check on the driver. Medics arrived and rushed to the woman's aid. At this point, the shards of glass in Officer Panesar eyes began burn and cause severe discomfort. A nurse who had stopped at the scene noticed Officer Panesar and quickly took him to a nearby ambulance where she was able to wash the pieces of glass from his eyes and treat his injuries.
The two children rescued by Officer Panesar were taken to INOVA Alexandria Hospital's Emergency Room. The child who had been suspended from her seatbelt had marks on her neck from the incident, but was otherwise unharmed. The pediatric staff confirmed that the quick response of Officer Panesar saved the child's life.
Chesapeake Police Department
Officer Anthony W. Kelly
On June 1, 2009 at approximately 4:15 p.m., Chesapeake Police Officer Sean Fleming was on his way home from work. While driving, he noticed two marked police vehicles operating their emergency equipment and attempting to stop a white van. He quickly became aware via his portable radio that a felony pursuit was in progress and began to drive in the direction of his fellow officers.
While approaching the scene, a lone individual exited a wood line along the roadway and immediately caught sight of Officer Fleming, who was still in his uniform and operating his personal vehicle. The individual leveled an AK-style assault rifle in Officer Fleming’s direction and opened fire. Officer Fleming’s vehicle was riddled with no fewer than twenty bullet holes, four which hit Officer Fleming. Undeterred and possessing a will to survive, Officer Fleming immediately returned fire. Still maintaining his composure after the incoming shots subsided, he broadcast over the radio that he had been hit numerous times.
Chesapeake Police Officer Anthony Kelly arrived at the chaotic scene during the exchange of gunfire. Information available at the time indicated other suspects had fled the traffic stop and might also be in the wood line in possession of assault rifles. Officer Kelly immediately responded to Officer Fleming’s location and dragged him several yards to an area of relative cover. Additional responding officers assisted Officer Kelly in moving Officer Fleming to an even safer location where they began to administer first aid. Officer Anthony Kelly willingly and without hesitation responded to the imminent need of a fellow officer. For his actions, he is recognized with the VACP/VPCF Award for Lifesaving.
Officer Sean Fleming willingly responded to the aid of his fellow officers when he could have instead chosen to let on-duty officers handle the situation. Once confronted and out-gunned by an armed adversary, he never gave up. His actions stopped an immediate and deadly threat to other officers and citizens. For his actions, he was recognized with the VACP/VPCF Award for Valor.
Chesterfield County Police Department
Officer Nathan T. Almond
On January 10, 2009, at about 1:15 P.M., Officer Almond was off-duty with his family driving down Happy Hill Road in the Stoney Glen West subdivision when he noticed a heavy concentration of smoke. Officer Almond investigated the origin of the smoke, discovering the front porch of 4937 Lippingham Drive fully engulfed in flames. Officer Almond parked his vehicle, instructed his wife to dial 911, and then proceeded to the fire. No one was observed outside of the residence. Officer Almond began yelling that the house was on fire, alerting anyone possibly inside. Officer Almond banged on the garage of the residence and continued to yell fire as he began to attempt forced entry. A young male then exited the garage.
Officer Almond, through heavy smoke, entered the residence through the garage and observed heavy fire in the dining and living room. Officer Almond encountered a disabled female in the kitchen area and was advised of dogs in the residence. Officer Almond captured one dog and evacuated through a rear door with the mother and son. Officer Almond re-entered the residence and exited with another dog. The mother and son attempted to re-enter the house and Officer Almond prevented the mother from entering, but was unable to stop the son. Officer Almond re-entered and evacuated the son as the front was fully engulfed in flames.
Neighbors then alerted Officer Almond of a man in a second floor window. At this point the house was fully engulfed, so Officer Almond provided guidance and coaxed the male to jump. Officer Almond then safely gathered the family to the front of the house. Upon arrival of the fire department, Officer Almond advised them of the status of the fire and that the house had been evacuated.
Henrico County Division of Police
Officer Travis W. VonCanon
On October 10, 2008, while off-duty and in his personal vehicle, Officer Travis W. VonCanon and his daughter witnessed a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 295 near the Henrico/Hanover line, just inside Hanover County. The vehicle ran off the roadway and through some trees. Officer VonCanon stopped to assist the driver only to find that her vehicle had traveled through the trees into a large body of water and was almost completely submerged. The only part of the vehicle that was visible was the hood area.
Officer VonCanon could hear a female driver, later identified as Jessica Martin, crying for help as he approached the body of water. With the vehicle continuing to become submerged, Officer VonCanon entered the water, placing himself in danger by entering an unknown body of water to rescue the victim from the automobile. Ms. Martin, who had seriously injured her right foot/ankle, was unable to free herself or exit the vehicle. Officer VonCanon was able to help free her and assisted her in reaching the shoreline where he provided comfort to Ms. Martin until the arrival of fire and EMS units who took over care and transported her to a local hospital.
Ms. Martin could have easily drowned during this incident had it not been for the heroic acts that Officer VonCanon took while in an off-duty capacity.
Hopewell Police Department
Detective Donald E. Reid
On September 15, 2008, Detective Reid was the first officer on the scene of a structure fire in progress. He immediately determined that a child endangerment situation was resulting from the fire — a small child and the child's mother were in the burning house. Detective Reid kicked the door in, retrieved the child, and carried the child from the burning house. He then re-entered the house, located the mother, and pulled her from the house.
Detective Reid disregarded his own personal safety to save the lives of two city residents. He displayed quick thinking and selflessness in rescuing this child and mother. Officer Reid's actions reflect great credit upon himself, the Hopewell Police Department, and the City of Hopewell.
Newport News Police Department
Sergeant Daniel M. Butler
Master Police Officer John T. Hughes
On November 24, 2008 at approximately 0140 hours, while traveling southbound on Warwick Boulevard, Sergeant Butler heard a loud crash. He made a U-turn to investigate the sound and saw a black vehicle rolling over with flames engulfing the front of the vehicle. After parking his vehicle, Sergeant Butler ran to the scene and could see an individual trapped inside the vehicle. The doors of the vehicle were so badly damaged from the accident that they would not open. The driver was in imminent danger due to the fire that was roaring in his face. The flames began to overtake the cab of the truck. Sergeant Butler cut the seatbelt from the victim and attempted to pull him out of the vehicle through the window, but was unable to do so because the victim was entangled in the wreckage.
Master Police Officer Hughes arrived at the scene and both officers retrieved their fire extinguishers from their patrol cars and returned to the vehicle. They attempted to extinguish the fire while shielding the victim's face from the flames. Fortunately, they were able to extinguish the fire as the medics and firefighters arrived. The firefighters used the "Jaws of Life" to extricate the victim from the vehicle. The victim was then transported to Riverside Regional Medical Center. Due to the quick response and cool-headedness of these officers, the life of this victim was saved.
Newport News Police Department
Sergeant Mark A. Cook
Sergeant Earl D. McNair
Master Police Officer Douglas W. Bush
On August 10, 2008, units along with the Fire Department responded to an apartment fire. The dispatcher advised that there were several children trapped inside the apartment. Sergeant Cook, Sergeant McNair and Master Police Officer Bush were first on the scene. The apartment was fully engulfed, and the scene was chaotic. Sergeant McNair exposed himself to great danger and entered the apartment. He immediately located two of the three children inside the apartment near a front window. The children were severely injured and had been overcome by smoke and heat from the fire.
Knowing that there was a third child still trapped inside the home, Sergeant Cook and Master Police Officer Bush voluntarily exposed themselves to danger by entering the apartment intent on locating the third child. However, the fire had become so intense that they were both driven back by the flames and were unable to rescue the third child without protective apparatus. A member of the Newport News Fire Department then arrived, wearing protective apparatus, and was able to enter the smoke and fire-filled apartment and rescue the third child who was found unconscious in a rear bedroom.
Prince William County Police Department
Officer Cottrell Derrick
Officer Jessica Tacha
The immediate and thorough response of Officer Cottrell Derrick and Officer Jessica Tacha of the Prince William County Police Department saved the life of a suicidal victim.
Officers Derrick and Tacha responded to a cell phone call for help, only to learn that the caller had provided an incorrect location. Repeated attempts to reach the caller were unsuccessful and went directly into voicemail. The officers began searching in the location of the cell tower with which the caller’s phone had connected, and subsequently located a distraught female near the train tracks.
As a train approached, she sat on tracks next to where the train was passing. The officers noticed a second train approaching on the tracks where the woman was sitting. They quickly approached the woman but she resisted their attempts to remove her from the tracks. Placing themselves in danger, they were able to pull her to a safe distance just as the second train passed.
Radford Police Department
Sergeant Andrew Szerkoman
Corporal Jarrett Rhodes
Officer Jason Tickle
On December 22, 2008 at approximately 2100 hours, Officer Jason Tickle was dispatched to Memorial Bridge in the City of Radford in reference to a suspicious person. When Officer Tickle arrived, he observed a man who had stepped over the bridge railing in an apparent effort to commit suicide. He immediately radioed for assistance and received the help of on duty Sergeant Szerkoman and off duty Corporal Rhodes, along with Carillon EMS First Responder Pete Cotti. Other on and off duty officers responded to assist in the rescue of this subject.
Sergeant Szerkoman, Corporal Rhodes, and Officer Tickle, along with EMS Cotti, tried to communicate with the person. It became obvious that he was deaf and Sergeant Szerkoman approached in an effort to hand the subject pen and paper. At this time, the person lowered himself over the side of the bridge so that he was clinging to the rail with both hands. Sergeant Szerkoman and EMS Cotti lunged and grabbed the subject’s left arm and Officer Tickle and Corporal Rhodes grabbed the subject’s right arm. The despondent subject had released his grip of the bridge and was being held by these four brave men.
The weather conditions were extreme on this night with chilling temperatures and brisk winds. The officers struggled mightily to hold on to the subject for more than five minutes in an effort to secure a rope to him to keep him from falling. As the individual hung over the edge of the bridge, Officers put their own lives at risk by exposing themselves to the danger of falling. Officer Tickle, Corporal Rhodes and EMS Cotti eventually lost their grasp, leaving Sergeant Szerkoman holding the subject alone. Sergeant Szerkoman was able to hold on for another two minutes until the subject was able to free his hand from his glove and plunge 90 feet to the hard ground below. Sadly, the victim died of his injuries.
Though this rescue attempt ended tragically, it doesn’t diminish the heroic efforts of the officers involved. All of these officers exposed themselves to the same dangers of falling as the suicidal subject. Their brave, dedicated, and selfless actions were extended to a person in a most dire need with little regard to their own personal safety.
Radford Police Department
Officer Lemmie Sanders
On April 25, 2009 at approximately 0600, Officer Sanders was finishing a call near Tyler Avenue when he was contacted by an EMS worker who was transporting a patient to the hospital. The EMS worker told Officer Sanders that he observed smoke coming from the back of 1211 Tyler Avenue.
Officer Sanders responded to the location and found the back deck area of the home fully engulfed in flames. He ran to the front and began beating on the door and was able to wake a resident. Battling the thick smoke, he entered the home with the resident and successfully led the four others inside – ages 63, 30, 25, and 2 – to safety. While completing this rescue, Officer Sanders contacted his communications center to have fire units dispatched and helped coordinate their response. Immediately after the residents were rescued from the home, it was consumed by flames.
Officer Sander’s brave and selfless actions saved the lives of those sleeping at 1211 Tyler Avenue on this early morning.
Richmond Police Department
Officer Robert Sturdevant
and
Virginia State Police
Trooper Christopher Flaherty
In early June 2008, Officer Robert Sturdevant and Trooper Christopher Flaherty were patrolling Mosby Court for their FFI assignment. The officers spotted a significant amount of smoke coming from an area close by.
Once they were closer the officers noticed a shed had caught fire. Officer Sturdevant and Trooper Flaherty approached the building and yelled to see if anyone was inside. The officers heard a faint voice and tried to tell the man to come outside.
Out of fear, the man retreated to the back of the shed. Without hesitation, Officer Sturdevant and Trooper Flaherty entered the burning shed and dragged the victim to safety.
Roanoke County Police Department
Officer Andrea D. Morris
On October 7, 2008, Officer Andrea Morris was a front seat passenger while training a recruit at the Department's driver training facility.
During one of the training evaluations the recruit's vehicle left the roadway and overturned on its roof and became partially submerged in a pond of water. Officer Morris was able to extricate herself from the vehicle; however the recruit was not capable of removing herself.
Driver training instructors and other recruits attempted to reach the vehicle but could not move because of waist-deep mud. As the vehicle continued to sink Officer Morris was able to climb onto the car and hold the recruit’s head above the water. When the recruit's head became submerged, and the vehicle continued to sink, Officer Morris climbed back into the submerged vehicle and released the safety harness, and pulled the recruit to safety. Without doubt Officer Morris's actions saved the recruit from certain drowning.
Officer Morris later announced that she was four to five weeks pregnant when the incident occurred. Without hesitation she risked her own life and that of her unborn child to save the life of a fellow officer. (Officer Morris delivered a healthy baby girl May 10, 2009.)
Virginia Beach Police Department
Master Police Officer Dana W. Johnson
On Tuesday, September 2, 2008, a 38-year-old male entered the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Administration building. The subject had applied on several occasions for employment but had been not been selected and was distraught about his inability to gain employment. His intent was to meet with a specific school administrator, but was told that the person wasn’t available. The male subject returned a short time later and left several envelopes, addressed to “the police”, “my wife”, “my life”, and “DNR” (Do not resuscitate), at the front desk area. The office employee who found the envelopes observed the male subject walk toward the exit and noticed that he had a gun. She immediately told Security Officer Mike Desantis, a retired VBPD officer, that the subject looked to be preparing for something bad. The security assistant looked outside and saw that the male had a pistol in one hand and was pointing it at himself. The Security Officer then ordered the building into lock down and instructed the office assistant to call 911. Security Officer Desantis began to observe the male from a slightly ajar front door, and engaged in negotiations to distract him, with the hopes of preventing the subject from harming himself or anyone else that may be in the vicinity.
MPO Dana Johnson was one of the first units to arrive at the school Administration Building. After taking up the safest position available, he had a clear view of the subject, who was holding a Glock 9mm pistol to his head. The subject was an estimated 40-45 feet away from MPO Johnson who immediately engaged in verbal negotiations with the subject. MPO Johnson’s effective negotiations at that point allowed other officers to get into positions of containment, preventing innocent bystanders from entering the building and the distraught subject from leaving.
MPO Johnson relentlessly, but tactfully, continued to establish a dialog and rapport with the individual. After several minutes, the distraught citizen heeded to MPO Johnson’s requests and threw the handgun off to the side and into some shrubs nearby. This allowed for a detainment element of officers to approach and take the subject into custody without further incident.
Virginia State Police
Trooper Kurt J. Johnson
On February 6, 2009 around 11:30 p.m. in Accomack County on Route 13, .1 mile north of Route 744, Mrs. Danielle N. Strand was traveling south with her three small children when she fell asleep at the wheel. The vehicle ran off the road right, into a ditch, striking a culvert and flipping her vehicle end over end. The impact was so violent that the car burst into flames and partially crushed the roof of the car. The young woman crawled out of the burning wreck and pulled two of her small children to safety. She was unable to find her third child.
Trooper Kurt Johnson, on routine patrol, came upon the crash and saw that the car was engulfed by fire. The victim screamed to him that her young daughter was still in the car. Without any hesitation or regard for his own safety, Trooper Johnson crawled into the twisted upside-down burning car and searched the black, smoke-filled passenger compartment for the small child. Through the smoke, he was able to find the child stuck under the front dash and pulled her to safety. Within seconds, the entire car was totally engulfed in fire.
Trooper Johnson performed an extraordinary act of heroism. By his undaunted courage and unwavering devotion to duty, Trooper Johnson saved the life of this little girl, who turned 3 the day of the crash. Trooper Johnson acted professionally and upheld the highest traditions of the Virginia State Police.
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police is a statewide organization of federal, state and local police chiefs and law enforcement executives dedicated to improving the professionalism of police agencies in Virginia. The Association was founded in 1926 and has more than 600 members. The Association provides annual training programs for law enforcement executives, directs a statewide traffic safety program for law enforcement, produces Freedom of Information Act guidelines for law enforcement and lobbies for law enforcement interests at the state and federal level.
The Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation is a charitable educational foundation created by the VACP to provide training and education programs, an awards program, youth scholarships and a youth leadership camp for high school students.
The Honorable Robert F. Horan Selected to Receive Outstanding Contribution to Law Enforcement Award
August 11, 2009 | Virginia News
The Honorable Robert F. Horan, retired Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney, was honored on August 11, 2009 with the VACP/VPCF Outstanding Contribution to Law Enforcement Award. The award was presented during the Valor Awards Banquet of the VACP Annual Conference. The Outstanding Contribution to Law Enforcement Award recognizes one person’s conspicuous act or achievement in the performance of a duty that results in an exceptional and responsible contribution to law enforcement.
Robert F. Horan, Jr. served more than 40 years as the Commonwealth’s Attorney of the County of Fairfax and the City of Fairfax. He was appointed by the Chief Judge of the Fairfax Circuit Court in February of 1967, and was first elected to the office in November, 1967. He was re-elected every four years until retiring in September 2007. His area of jurisdiction was by far the largest in the state, containing more than one million people, which is more than double the size of any other jurisdiction.
Following graduation from Mt. St. Mary’s College, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Upon leaving active service five years later, he entered Georgetown University Law School and earned his JD degree. He was admitted to the Virginia Bar in August, 1961, and engaged in the private practice of law until his service as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney during the years of 1964 and 1965.
Horan is a past president of the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys and a former vice president of the National District Attorneys Association. He was instrumental in the creation of the Northern Virginia Drug Abuse Task Force. In 1988, he was appointed to the Virginia State Crime Commission, where he served until 1996.
Bob has taught at the National College of District Attorneys and appeared for more than ten years at the annual program of the Traffic Institute of Northwestern University on the subject of vehicular homicide and trial tactics in those cases. He lectured at many seminars for Virginia prosecutors on such subjects as drug prosecution, psychiatric cross-examination, closing argument and trial tactics. He is an avid trial lawyer and prosecuted jury trials every year he was in office. His last trial, a capital case, began on January 7, 2008 and ended with a death penalty on March 3, 2008.
In 1996, Horan was given the Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Award by the Virginia State Bar. He was honored in 1983 by being elected a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. He has also served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Criminal Law Section of the Virginia State Bar, and is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Mr. Horan receives the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Law Enforcement for a lifetime of commitment to the criminal justice profession in Virginia.
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police is a statewide organization of federal, state and local police chiefs and law enforcement executives dedicated to improving the professionalism of police agencies in Virginia. The Association was founded in 1926 and has more than 600 members. The Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation is a charitable educational foundation created by the VACP to provide training and education programs for law enforcement executives.
2009 VACP President’s Award Presented to Henrico Police Chief Henry W. Stanley, Jr.
August 11, 2009 | VACP
Henrico County Police Chief Henry W. Stanley, Jr., was honored on August 11th with the 2009 President’s Award at the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Awards Banquet in Newport News. VACP 2008-2009 President, Fairfax City Police Chief Rick Rappoport, presented the award to Chief Stanley for his many years of service to Virginia law enforcement.
Chief Stanley has been active in the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, serving in all Association positions, including president and chairman of many committees. He is a Board member of the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation, member of the Police Executive Research Forum, and a member of the Henrico Business Council.
“As busy as he is, what I’ve heard consistently for nearly twenty years is: How can I help?” said VACP President Rappoport. “Chief Henry Stanley has been a tireless and selfless leader for the Virginia law enforcement community for many years, and the VACP President’s Award is the best way I know to thank him for all he’s done and all he continues to do.”
Chief Stanley has been a police officer in Henrico County since 1962 and the chief of police since 1995. He is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Police Administration. In addition, he is a graduate of the 123rd Session F.B.I. National Academy and the 24th Session F.B.I National Executive Institute; the Senior Management Institute for Police conducted by the Police Executive Research Forum and Harvard University; and the Police Executive Leadership School at the University of Richmond. He has served as a faculty member at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College where he currently serves on the Advisory Board for Curriculum Development.
He serves as Governor Kaine’s appointee to the Secure Commonwealth Panel and has the distinction of serving three Virginia Governors in this capacity since 9-11. As a Panel member, he serves as Chairman of the First Responders Sub-Panel. Currently, Chief Stanley serves as a Board member of the F.B.I. Richmond Regional Joint Terrorism Task Force. Additionally, he is a thirteen year member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Criminal Justice Advisory Policy Board, Southern Region Working Group.
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police is a statewide organization of federal, state and local police chiefs and law enforcement executives dedicated to improving the professionalism of police agencies in Virginia. The Association was founded in 1926 and has more than 600 members. The Association provides annual training programs for law enforcement executives, directs a statewide traffic safety program for law enforcement, produces Freedom of Information Act guidelines for law enforcement and lobbies for law enforcement interests at the state and federal level.
Senator Ken Stolle Receives Special Recognition from the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
August 11, 2009 | VACP
The Honorable Kenneth Stolle, State Senator from Virginia Beach, received a special recognition on August 11, 2009, from the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. The recognition was presented at the Valor Awards Banquet at the annual conference of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, held this year at the Newport News Marriott at City Center in Newport News, Virginia.
Senator Stolle was recognized for his outstanding service in the Virginia State Senate, and in particular for his dedication to protecting and advancing the interests of professional law enforcement. Senator Stolle has served in the Virginia State Senate since 1991, where he has been a tremendous champion for law enforcement.
“We have previously recognized Senator Stolle as our Outstanding Legislator of the Year,” said VACP President Richard Rappoport, Fairfax City Police Chief. “However, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank Senator Stolle for truly being an outstanding legislator for law enforcement every year he has served in the Virginia General Assembly. He is particularly known for his efforts to improve funding for Virginia law enforcement agencies, and for protecting the retirement benefits of police officers.”
Senator Stolle began his career with the Virginia Beach Police Department in 1976 where he served as a Patrolman, Narcotics Detective, SWAT Team Leader, and Tactical Team Sergeant. In 1983, he passed the Virginia State Bar and became a licensed attorney. He left the police department in 1987 to practice law full time.
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police is a statewide organization of federal, state and local police chiefs and law enforcement executives dedicated to improving the professionalism of police agencies in Virginia. The Association was founded in 1926 and has more than 600 members. The Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation is a charitable educational foundation created by the VACP to provide training and education programs for law enforcement executives.
2008 Virginia Law Enforcement Challenge Awards Presented
August 10, 2009 | VACP
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP) on August 10, 2009 presented the 2008 Virginia Law Enforcement Challenge awards for the best traffic safety programs in the state. The awards luncheon was held during the VACP’s 84th Annual Training Conference at the Marriott City Center in Newport News, VA.
Celebrating its twentieth year in Virginia, the Law Enforcement Challenge program promotes professionalism in traffic safety enforcement and encourages agencies to share best practices and programs with each other. The awards are based on entries prepared by the participating agencies that highlight their traffic safety activities in the past calendar year.
The Virginia Challenge is held in cooperation with the National Law Enforcement Challenge Awards, presented by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). This year, fifty-one Virginia agencies entered the state and national competitions and forty-two will receive state awards. The full list of Virginia Challenge winners is available at http://www.smartsafeandsober.org/programs/LEC/2008.
The 2008 National Law Enforcement Challenge Awards also have been announced and Virginia agencies have once again been very successful! Sixteen agencies won national awards for their traffic safety efforts in 2008 and they will be recognized in front of their peers from across the country at the IACP Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado in October. (List of 2008 National Challenge winners)
In addition to the first, second and third place awards in each category, special awards for outstanding enforcement and education efforts in the areas of occupant protection, impaired driving, speed awareness, child passenger safety, underage alcohol awareness and many more were presented at the luncheon. Additionally, an award was presented for the best first-time entry, or “Rookie of the Year”, to Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Commonwealth Award was presented to Harrisonburg Police Department for the most outstanding traffic safety program in Virginia in 2008 regardless of agency size or type.
New for the 2008 Challenge, the “Officer of the Year” award was presented to Sgt. Chris Rinker of the New Market Police Department. Sgt. Rinker's efforts behind the success of the Route 7|11 Taskforce were the reason he was selected for the inaugural award. The new Officer of the Year Award is presented to an officer who has exhibited extraordinary initiative and innovation to make traffic safety education and enforcement a priority in his agency, his community, and beyond.
The Virginia Law Enforcement Challenge Awards program is supported by a grant from the Virginia Highway Safety Office. Additional information about the Law Enforcement Challenge program can be found online at http://www.smartsafeandsober.org/programs/LEC .
FULL NEWS RELEASE (PDF)
AWARDS PHOTOS
2009 VACP Annual Conference Convenes in Newport News
August 10, 2009 | VACP
The 84th annual conference of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police convenes Monday morning in Newport News at the beautiful Marriott at City Center. The VACP extends heartfelt thanks to Chief Jim Fox and the Newport News Police Department for helping to plan this professional training conference. Chief Fox and his staff have worked tirelessly this year to plan both a unique training program and some enjoyable evening activities on Sunday and Monday.
The conference opens on Monday with Opening Ceremonies and a training program from Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo on "Important Court Decisions for Law Enforcement". At noon, the 2008 Virginia Law Enforcement Challenge Awards will be presented to 42 agencies for their traffic safety efforts in 2008.
Woodstock chief says ‘it’s time’ to retire
August 6, 2009 | Virginia News
After 35 years with the Woodstock Police Department, Chief Jerry Miller's reason for retiring is simple.
Miller, who started as a patrol officer in 1974 and became chief in 1981, will retire at the end of the year. His last day with the department will be Dec. 31, he said, and he'll "continue to work like always" until then.
Salem Police Chief James R. Bryant Announces His Retirement
August 3, 2009 | Virginia News
It is the end of an era for Salem and in particular, the City’s Police Department.
After 43 years of distinguished public service, Salem Police Chief James R. Bryant announced this morning that he is retiring, effective November 1, 2009.
“I’ve had a great career and I’ve really enjoyed coming to work each and every day, but police work is a young man’s job, and it’s just time,” says Bryant.
Bryant, who is now 64-years-old, was appointed Salem’s Police Chief in 1995 almost 30 years after he came to work for the department. Back in 1966, Bryant was fresh out of the Marine Corps, all of 21-years-old and in search of a job. Upon returning to the Roanoke Valley he found several opportunities for employment, but chose the Salem Police Department for its job security.
“When I first came to the police force the cars didn’t even have air conditioning, now they’re equipped with laptops, in-car-cameras and radar machines, so I’ve seen it all in 43 years,” he says.
When Bryant began his career as a patrol officer in 1966 the department was comprised of 16 officers. Today, it’s made up of 66 men and women, who will no doubt miss his presence and leadership.
“The retirement of Chief Bryant will be a loss for both the city and me personally,” says Salem City Manager Kevin Boggess. “His wisdom and 43 years of Salem experience cannot be replaced. He has truly been one of the great leaders in this city’s history, and I feel fortunate to have been able to work with him.”
Bryant holds a unique distinction among many of his contemporaries in other law enforcement agencies in that he is the only City employee to start as a patrolman and rise to the level of Chief of Police, while simultaneously rising through the enlisted and non-commissioned officer ranks from Private to Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps.
Both are inspirational stories and real life examples that living the American Dream is possible. Bryant grew up in the Cloverdale section of Botetourt County, never graduated from high school, but eventually earned both an Associate’s degree from Virginia Western and a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Bluefield College in Managing Human Resources.
“Being a young man and coming to the police department with a GED and knowing that I’m leaving here with a bachelor’s degree and 43 years of memories and accomplishments is very satisfying to me, and in some ways amazing,” he says.
Chief Bryant enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was on active duty from 1962 through 1966. He later resumed his military service with the USMC Reserve and was called to active duty during Operation Desert Shield- Desert Storm in 1990. He participated in all phases of the campaign to liberate Kuwait and received personal commendations and decorations including the Combat Action Ribbon and Navy Commendation Medal. He retired from active service status on July 1, 1995.
“Respect has to be earned, because it’s not something you can demand, and if there are others in this department or other law enforcement officials who respect me for what I’ve done, I appreciate that and certainly try to honor that respect,” he says.
Bryant, who also is a graduate of the prestigious F.B.I. Law Enforcement Academy in Quantico, picked up some of that respect recently when he was named the state of Virginia’s D.A.R.E. Administrator of The Year for 2008. In 1991, he became the first director of Salem Camp D.A.R.E. – an eight week‐long program that is in the process of wrapping up its 19th summer of educating the city’s young people with a successful combination of fun in the sun and life lessons.
“We are very proud of the Salem Police Department and Chief Bryant’s programs like D.A.R.E. Camp and the Citizen’s Police Academy,” says Boggess. “These programs have fostered a great trust that exists between the Department and Salem’s citizens.”
“In a occupation like this you can get caught up playing favorites, but I always tried to treat people fairly and the way that I would like to be treated,” says Bryant. “If people just remember me as being a fair man, then I’ve accomplished everything I set out to do.”
Bryant, who is an avid outdoorsman, plans to spend more time hunting and riding his ATV when he and his wife of 42-years, Lois Ann, aren’t traveling.
Alert La Crosse information system
July 31, 2009 | Virginia News
A new service being offered by the La Crosse Police Department will help keep the community informed of possible dangers while helping to expand the force’s eyes and ears when searching for suspects or missing persons.
“It is a win-win situation,” said Chief Rob Hall. “It can help bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community. That is a big priority of mine.”
The Alert La Crosse Community Information System will allow residents to receive e-mails or text messages on their cell phones about severe weather, breaking crime updates, missing persons, community meetings and events and crime solver type cases, according to Hall.
Vice President, Attorney General Announce Recovery Act Funding to Support Law Enforcement
July 29, 2009 | National News
Recovery Act Funds to Add Police Officers to the Streets; Build Safer Communities
Philadelphia, PA – Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder today announced $1 billion in grants to fund the hiring and rehiring of law enforcement officers all across the country under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The grants will be awarded to 1,046 law enforcement agencies from all 50 states and will provide 100 percent of the approved salary and benefits for 4,699 officers for three years. Police departments receiving the grants will then be required to retain the grant-funded positions for a fourth year. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, Delaware Governor Jack Markell; Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley; Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter; Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey; and law enforcement officers from mid-Atlantic states joined the Vice President and Attorney General at the event.
"A big part of the Recovery Act is about building communities – making them as strong as they can be, allowing every American family to live a better life than the one they are leading now," said Vice President Joe Biden. "And we can’t achieve the goal of stronger communities without supporting those who keep our streets safe."
The Recovery Act grants, which will be administered by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) through the federal agency’s COPS Hiring Recovery Program, provide much needed financial support to state, local and tribal governments, and will help the nation’s law enforcement agencies add and retain the manpower needed to fight crime more effectively through community policing. The Department of Justice received over 7,200 applications for more than 39,000 officer positions, representing a total of $8.3 billion in requested funding.
"These Recovery Act funds will pump much needed resources into communities through a program with a proven track record," said Attorney General Holder. "The tremendous demand for these grants is indicative of both the tough times our states, cities and tribes are facing, and the unyielding commitment by law enforcement to making our communities safer."
"Our sworn officers are the front line of defense against crime and disorder in our nation’s communities," said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey. "These Recovery funds are essential in helping local law enforcement agencies fulfill their mission of making the places in which we all live and work as safe as possible."
The Recovery Act includes $4 billion in Department of Justice grant funding to enhance state, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts, including the hiring of new police officers, to combat violence against women, and to fight internet crimes against children. In addition to today’s COPS awards, to date the Department of Justice has awarded $1.7 billion through formula state and local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants, $95 million through the Victims of Crime Act Formula Grant Program, $41.5 million for Internet Crimes Against Children initiatives, $127 million in Office on Violence Against Women Recovery Act funds and $8.6 million for assistance for law enforcement along the Southern Border and in high intensity drug trafficking areas.
For more information about the COPS grants, or to learn which law enforcement agencies received funding, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
###
| VA Agencies Receiving Funds | Positions Funded | Grant Award |
| City of Roanoke | 5 |
$747,175 |
| Emporia, City of | 1 |
$143,205 |
| Hopewell Bureau of Police | 3 |
$490,560 |
| Manassas, City of | 4 |
$766,912 |
| Norfolk, City of | 8 |
$1,316,232 |
| Petersburg Police Bureau | 5 |
$814,800 |
| Richmond Housing Authority Police Department |
1 |
$166,503 |
| Winchester, City of | 4 |
$682,076 |
| STATE TOTAL: 8 | 31 |
$5,127,463 |
Report Released on Child Deaths from Heat-Related Motor Vehicle Entrapment
July 23, 2009 | Virginia News
Between 1988 and 2003, thirteen children died in Virginia from heat-related injuries as a result of confinement in a motor vehicle. The children were left unattended in a vehicle by a caretaker or climbed into a vehicle on their own and became entrapped. The State Child Fatality Review Team reviewed these child deaths and identified strategies to prevent these tragic and fatal injuries.
Key circumstances identified by the Team include the following:
- Males (nine deaths) had a higher frequency of death than females (four deaths).
- Twelve children were white and one child was black.
- All deaths occurred among children less than 5 years of age, with a mean age of 22 months and a range of 8 months to 59 months.
- In eleven of the thirteen deaths, the child’s parent was responsible for supervision of the child at the time of entrapment. A babysitter had responsibility for the child in two cases. Two caretakers assigned the responsibility of removing a child from a safety seat and vehicle to an older child.
- Among the twelve incidents of motor vehicle entrapment, nine occurred when caretakers left children unattended in a vehicle or became incapacitated and could not care for children in the vehicle. Three other incidents occurred when children gained access to a vehicle without their caretaker’s knowledge. Older children were more likely to climb into vehicles on their own while younger children were more often left behind.
- Child deaths by entrapment in motor vehicles clustered around the summer months between May and September. Outside air temperatures ranged from a high of 80 degrees Fahrenheit to 94 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The average time a child was left unattended or confined within a vehicle was four hours, and entrapment time ranged from forty-five minutes to nine and one-half hours. Children who were forgotten were left for longer periods of time than children who were intentionally left or those who had climbed into the vehicle of their own.
- The majority of cases occurred in a parking lot setting.
- Of the four children who were forgotten by a caretaker, three were transported in a larger model vehicle, such as a sports utility vehicle or a van. Among children who were forgotten, the child safety seat was placed in the back seat directly behind the driver, preventing the caretaker from seeing the child. Among the children who climbed into the vehicle on their own, all three vehicles were models which were low to the ground, allowing the child to gain easy access by reaching for the door handle or trunk latch to climb in.
- Team members noted a lack of adequate supervision in several children’s deaths. Case review revealed that parents were often undergoing significant or stressful life events, were not following their normal routine, or both.
The Team concluded that the majority of these children’s deaths were preventable and offered recommendations for change in the following areas: legislation, education, primary prevention, parent and caretaker response, and child death investigation.
The following report was prepared for use by all Virginians — the Governor, members of the General Assembly,child advocates, policy makers, parents and citizens — with the firm conviction that the number of deaths to Virginia’s children can be reduced.
REPORT: Child Deaths from Heat-Related Motor Vehicle Entrapment (PDF)
U.S. Senate Narrowly Defeats Conceal-Carry Measure
July 23, 2009 | National News
An amendment that would have allowed gun owners to carry their weapons across state lines fell just short of passage Wednesday in a vote that revealed deep divisions among the Senate's Democrats.
Supporters included all but two Republicans and 20 Democrats, but the vote of 58 to 39 in favor fell two short of the 60 needed to defeat a filibuster.
2009 Annual Conference Agenda Posted
July 23, 2009 | VACP
The agenda for the 2009 VACP/VPCF Annual Conference, which will be held August 9-12 in Newport News at the Marriott City Center, has now been posted on the conference page.
Newport News Police Chief Jim Fox and his staff have done an excellent job in preparing a unique training and educational experience for the attendees. The training program on Monday, August 10, covers critical legal issues important to law enforcement. On Tuesday, August 11, the training program takes our delegates off-site to the training facilities at Lockheed-Martin and the Army's Intelligence Center to see cutting-edge technology for the future of law enforcement. Wednesday's training program continues the law enforcement technology theme, and the Virginia governor candidates have been invited to speak.
If you have not registered, it's not too late! Registration forms and hotel information are available on the annual conference page.
New state laws take effect Wednesday
June 29, 2009 | Virginia News
New state laws that ban text messaging while driving and get tougher on drunken drivers take effect this week.
In a 46-day session, the General Assembly approved 879 bills, most of which take effect Wednesday.
The session will probably be best known for a measure prohibiting smoking in most restaurants and bars in Virginia. This measure will not take effect until Dec. 1 to give restaurant owners more time to prepare for the ban.
Here's a look at some highlights of laws that take effect this week:
Semifinalists Announced for 2009 IACP/Motorola Webber Seavey Awards for Quality in Law Enforcement
June 24, 2009 | National News
Two Virginia agencies make the cut: Richmond Police Department, for their project "GRIP - Gang Reduction and Intervention Program", and Purcellville Police Department, for their project "Engagement of our Community Youth"
Jointly sponsored by IACP and Motorola, the Webber Seavey Award is presented annually to agencies and departments worldwide in recognition for promoting a standard of excellence that exemplifies law enforcement's contribution and dedication to the quality of life in local communities.
This program helps law enforcement agencies worldwide and the communities they serve by redefining the concept of law enforcement and how it is routinely performed. The award is named for Webber S. Seavey, the IACP's first president.
The program annually honors achievements in one or more of the following goals:
- Continually improving services to the community;
- Strengthening police relations and promoting community participation;
- Effectively using resources;
- Enhancing communications within and cooperation among agencies;
- Developing creative and innovative approaches that promote excellence in law enforcement.
Complete list of semifinalists and additional information
‘Chief’s Kids’ Celebrate One-Year Anniversary
June 23, 2009 | Virginia News
BRISTOL, Va. – Thousands of bubbles rose up to the sky Monday night in the parking lot of Rice Terrace Apartments. They came from wands held in the sticky hands of members of "Chief’s Kids", a crew of children brought together every week by the Bristol Virginia Police Department and Hunt Memorial United Methodist Church.
The one-year anniversary of the start of the club was celebrated Monday. It is a pet project of city Police Chief Bill Price, who said he’s proud of the work the children have done. The aim is to teach kids in targeted neighborhoods about responsibility.
External Link to ArticleMove Over Twitter; Step Aside Facebook. Nixle is for Real.
June 20, 2009 | National News
New communications service has signed up nearly 1,000 agencies in just a few months and the National Sheriffs' Association is communicating with conference attendees via Nixle.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Nixle, the latest entrant into the field of instantaneous communications, is making rapid strides with police and municipal agencies nationwide - not to mention the thousands of citizens who have signed up to receive vital public safety messages.
Launched in March, Nixle counts nearly 1,000 cities in 46 states using or testing its system. Those cities include: Los Angeles, Baltimore, Virginia Beach, Chicago and Minneapolis. And prominent sheriffs' offices using Nixle include Oakland County (suburban Detroit), Napa County, Oklahoma County (Oklahoma City) and Santa Fe County.
Meantime, more than 30,000 residents of those cities have signed up to receive Nixle alerts - a total growing by the hundreds each day.
Nixle also is popular among many of the sheriffs and law enforcement personnel attending the National Sheriff's Association 2009 Annual Conference and, as a result, the association is using Nixle this year to communicate with conference attendees. More than 3,000 attendees from all fields of criminal justice are expected to be present at the conference, slated for June 20-24 in Fort Lauderdale. Janet Napolitano, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, is keynote speaker.
"It is an excellent service and I believe it is a great benefit to the community," said Sheriff David Goad, president of the National Sheriffs' Association.
"Any tool that helps us improve public safety is worth using," said Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel. "People rarely go anywhere these days without access to a cell phone or the Internet. With Nixle, we're always able to relay important information, thereby improving the community's quality of life."
Nixle should be on the lips of many attendees because this year's conference includes seminars that focus on technology, such as "Law Enforcement Information Sharing and Emerging Technology" and "Community Engagement and Trusted Communication to Residents."
Earlier this month, Nixle served as the lead sponsor at the U.S. Conference of Mayors. About 80 cities signed on with Nixle in the wake of that event.
"Nixle came out of a need for a direct communication tool for police and official agencies to reach their communities. Depending on the media is not enough, and social applications are far too dangerous to put out official information," said Craig Mitnick, Nixle founder and CEO. "Nixle is the first tool to allow for a secure and trusted communication platform for sheriffs' departments and official agencies throughout country to communicate time sensitive information in real time over cell phones, email and the Web."
About Nixle
Nixle is a community information service provider built exclusively to provide secure and reliable communications. It is the first authenticated and secure service that connects municipal agencies and community organizations to residents in real time, delivering information to geographically targeted consumers over their cell phones (via text messages), through e-mails and via Web access. Nixle has secured a partnership with Nlets (the International Justice and Public Safety Network), allowing local police departments nationwide to send immediate alerts and advisories. Privately funded Nixle, which has offices in New Jersey and California, is free to all governments, their agencies and organizations, nongovernmental organizations and consumers. For more information, visit www.nixle.com.
Guards Who Shot Back at Von Brunn Identified
June 12, 2009 | National News
The security guards who returned fire when a white supremacist allegedly gunned down their colleague at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on Wednesday were a recently retired D.C. police officer and a former Marine, both of whom had worked at the museum only a few weeks.
Teresa Gooch new security director at St. Catherine’s
June 12, 2009 | Virginia News
Teresa P. Gooch, who twice served as Richmond's interim police chief, has been named director of security at St. Catherine's School.
Gooch ended a 26-year career with the Richmond Police Department with her retirement in 2005, shortly after the city hired Rodney Monroe as its police chief.
Prior to that, Gooch served as a deputy chief and twice assumed the role of interim chief, from January 2002 to August of that year, and again from December 2004 to February 2005.
Gooch will oversee all security measures and coordinate the crisis plan at St. Catherine's, an all-girls school in Richmond's West End.
New to elementary lesson plans: Gang prevention
June 11, 2009 | Virginia News
High schoolers in Chesapeake are referred to guidance counselors. Middle schoolers get the lesson in health class: how to spot gangs, what gangs do, and how to stay away.
Now Chesapeake wants to extend these lessons to elementary school students, and eventually even kindergartners.
Starting this fall, students in grades three to five will have gang prevention and awareness classes.
Security Guard Killed at U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
June 10, 2009 | National News
A lone gunman known to authorities as a white supremacist shot and fatally wounded a private security guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in downtown Washington today before being shot and wounded by guards who returned fire, officials said.
The wounded security guard and the gunman were both taken to George Washington University Hospital with serious injuries, police said.
Authorities later said the guard died in the hospital.
Former Lynchburg sheriff Lawrence Simpson dies at 77
June 10, 2009 | Virginia News
Simpson, who served as Lynchburg’s sheriff from 1974 to 2001, was a mentor to many in law enforcement in the Lynchburg area. The 77-year-old died Monday at the University of Virginia Medical Center.
Snead remembers the former sheriff as a man who made it a point to know his colleagues and the community.
Washington County Sheriff Seeks Position with U.S. Marshals Service
June 10, 2009 | Virginia News
There soon could be a new sheriff in Washington County, Va., because Sheriff Fred Newman is seeking a high-ranking spot with the U.S. Marshals Service.
If appointed, Newman would take over as U.S. marshal for the Western District of Virginia, becoming one of two head marshals in the state and among 94 in the country.
Virginia’s Western District, as set by U.S. law, encompasses the 54 counties that make up the two-thirds of the state west of Richmond, according to the U.S. Marshals’ Web site.
External Link to ArticleFairfax deputy police chief broke glass ceiling
June 10, 2009 | Virginia News
Women's power in force
Deputy Police Chief Suzanne Devlin is no stranger to battles. During her 33 years with the Fairfax County Police Department, she has traveled difficult paths toward success.
Greene County deputy killed in fiery crash Thursday
June 5, 2009 | Virginia News
Investigator Chadwick A. "Chad" Carr, 31, tragically lost his life in a motor vehicle accident on the afternoon of Thursday, June 4, 2009. Investigator Carr, while on duty and in his assigned vehicle, ran off the right side of the road on Rt. 230, then re-entered the roadway where he then collided with a truck traveling toward Stanardsville. Investigator Carr died of his injuries at the scene.
The VACP requests that Virginia law enforcement officers shroud their badges through the day of memorial services for Investigator Carr – Friday, June 12.
Inv. Carr had been in law enforcement for 7 ½ years, first as an animal control officer, then as a field Deputy. Chad was an instructor and enjoyed teaching at the law enforcement academy. Chad’s favorite assignment had been that of a K-9 handler, even though he hadn’t had a dog for a while, that passion never ended. Chad received the Lifesaving award this year for saving a man’s life utilizing CPR and the AED.
Inv. Carr had recently been promoted into Investigations and assigned to the Blue Ridge Narcotics Task Force as a narcotics enforcement officer, a job that he truly enjoyed and excelled at.
Chad was the father of two young boys, ages 7 and 3. The thoughts and prayers of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office go out to them and Chad’s family. The Sheriff’s Office will be establishing a fund for the children.
Chad had a great love of law enforcement work and will be greatly missed by his fellow workers.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:
Funeral Home --
Currie Funeral Home
116 East Church Street
Kilmarnock, VA 22482 (Northumberland County)
(804) 435-1077 • Web Site – www.curriefuneralhome.net
Visitation at Funeral Home --
Thursday, June, 11, 2009, 6 P.M. to 8 P.M.
Funeral Service at Funeral Home --
Friday, June, 12, 2009, 1 P.M.
Graveside Service --
Friday, June 12, 2009, immediately following funeral service.
Location: Wicomico Church, located north of the town of Kilmarnock on Rt. 200 (Jessie Ball Dupont Memorial Hwy) at Rt. 609 (Brown Stone Road)
Directions to Wicomico Church:
- From Stanardsville take Rt. 20 North to Rt. 3 East to Fredericksburg to I-95 South to Exit 126 Rt. 1 South to Rt. 17 South to Tappahannock take Rt. 360 East to Rt. 3 East to Kilmarnock to Rt. 200 North.
- From Richmond take I 64 East to Rt. 33 North to Rt. 3 West to Rt. 200 North.
- From Fredericksburg take Rt.17 south to Rt. 360 East to Rt. 3 east to Rt. 200 North.
Chadwick Carr Memorial Fund
Chesapeake Bank
P. O. Box 1419
Kilmarnock, VA 22482
NEWS COVERAGE:
FBI Releases Preliminary Annual Crime Statistics for 2008
June 2, 2009 | National News
According to the FBI's Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report released June 1, the nation experienced a 2.5 percent decrease in the number of violent crimes and a 1.6 percent decline in the number of property crimes for 2008 compared with data from 2007.
The report is based on information that the FBI gathered from 12,750 law enforcement agencies that submitted six to 12 comparable months of data to the FBI for both 2007 and 2008.
Violent Crime
Property Crime
Arson
The complete Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report is available exclusively at www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm.
Chesapeake officer’s shooting shuts down interstate
June 2, 2009 | Virginia News
A man abducted and shoved into a van just before a police shootout in Chesapeake apparently was dead in the vehicle before the shooting began.
Sean Fleming, 26, the police officer who was shot, was airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and was in stable condition. Officials released his name at a 3 p.m. press conference today, and said he graduated from the Chesapeake Police Academy in August 2008.
