Police report for July 2016

Traffic Contacts: 491
Parking Contacts: 38
Vehicle Inspections: 26
Vehicle Unlocks: 30
Crash Investigations: 22
Public Assists: 98
Assist Other Agency: 82
Crimes Against Persons Report: 6
Crimes Against Property Report: 23
Other Reports: 29
Arrests: 27
Warrants: 2
Alcohol/Narcotics Charges: 20
Crimes Against Persons Charges: 2
Crimes Against Property Charges: 2
Other Charges 12
Animal Calls 47
Total Calls for Service 1955
*Total Calls for Service for the year 11388

Training:

• Officers monthly 1 hour online training topic was on de-escalation, flooding and the survival response on PLS  (22 hours)
• Spence Madole graduated from ILEA and started the Field Training Process.
• Eric Kapfer started the Cedar Rapids Regional Police Academy. This will go until the first week in November.
• Alisha and Lauryn attended the Iowa Professional Administrative Assistance Conference in Oelwein (16 hours).
• One taser instructor was recertified. (8 hours)

Public Relations:

• Multiple officers worked the Blues and BBQ event. We displayed a patrol car in the kiddie area and posted two officers to show off the car and allowed kids to fingerprint the car.  We also provide safety resources for parents. Several other departments inquired about Sgt Olson’s innovative idea to fingerprint the car.  This process was shared with several other departments to use for their community events.
• The Chief and Officer Jennings participated as the activity at the summer lunch program. The dunk tank was a huge success.
• Officers and records staff volunteered to work the summer lunch program.
• A group of kids from Creation Kids came to the PD to drop off cookies and brownies as a show of appreciation. They also got a tour of the police station and of the patrol cars.
• Several thoughts of gratitude were provided to the police department from groups, individuals and businesses. A brief letter was posted to website to thank our community for allowing us to serve them.  We received subs and baked goods all month long.
• Chief met with a local resident to discuss a public forum about successful positive interactions with the police. This is planned for August 21^st at 6pm at the Community Center.
• A 16 year old local resident, who is interested in policing, shadowed the Chief for half a day
• 4 Safety car seat checks were conducted. This is by appointment only and people can contact [email protected] to schedule the check.  One seat takes about an hour.

Equipment:

• A new car was acquired to replace an unmarked vehicle.
• Three tasers from 2007 and 2009 were sold to a smaller agency (Dallas-Melcher) because they could not get replacement parts for their inventory. These tasers were outdated from the buy-back program we have used when we purchased new tasers.  We were glad to help out another agency.
• Medical equipment was inventoried and replaced for the department. These are the items that are carried in the patrol cars.

Enforcement:

• Officers were dispatched to 26 fireworks complaints around the 4^th of July in town.
• Investigator continued the investigation and follow up for the murder for hire plot.
• Officers responded to 4 vehicle burglaries earlier month. We are working on getting evidence to the DCI crime lab for the verification of the possible suspect.
• Another suspect was located and charged with vehicle and residential burglaries. His mode of access was through unlocked/opened garages and unlocked vehicles.
• Several bikes were reported stolen this month.
• We want to encourage everyone to lock their homes, vehicles and bikes to prevent thieves having easy access to the property.
• We worked GTSB traffic enforcement projects over the first two weekends in July focusing on traffic enforcement and impaired drivers.

Department Admin:

• Two officers (Miller and Sammons) receive letters of commendation for their patience, professionalism and actions during a disturbance call. It was clear the individual was suffering from a mental health crisis.  Both officers showed great restraint, even while being assaulted.
• Labor Management Committee meeting was held with Union Representatives and Command Staff to discuss information sharing, communication and internal operations.
• The results of the internal survey were completed and published to all officers and supervisors. This was also discussed with each rotation. The biggest issue is with communication across the 4 separate 12 hour shifts. We will be experimenting with a digital briefing board to help keep officers informed instead of the handwritten log.  Supervisors will be responsible for updating the log daily.
• Public posting for the lieutenant position was made available to the current supervisors, with a deadline to complete their packet the first week of next month.
• The union members timekeeping was switched over to the city pay period in our scheduling software.
• An exercise incentive program was started for staff to complete the pre-employment physical testing. If they complete the testing for the four categories, at the age bracket below their level, they get an extra 2 hours of overtime/comp time. This will be conducted twice a year and is voluntary for staff to participate.  We had 5 officers participate on two separated dates and successfully passed the age bracket below their age limit.
• The Calls for Service have been the highest month all year at 1955. This was also higher than any month in 2015.  Calls for service are logged anytime an officer calls dispatch or anytime a call is made to dispatch requesting an officer response.
• Officer Brue Sexton completed the Field Training Program and is assigned to solo patrol.