Police reporter for July 2017

Traffic Contacts: 470
Parking Contacts: 50
Vehicle Inspections: 28
Vehicle Unlocks: 27
Crash Investigations: 26
Public Assists: 263
Assist Other Agency: 109
Crimes Against Persons Report: 5
Crimes Against Property Report: 35
Other Reports: 35
Arrests: 27
Warrants: 5
Alcohol/Narcotics Charges: 17
Crimes Against Persons Charges: 2
Crimes Against Property Charges: 1
Other Charges: 16
Animal Calls: 53
Total Calls for Service: 2,232
*Total Calls for Service for the year: 13,190

Training:

• A supervisor attended the FBI 5-Star leadership training at ILEA. (40 hours)
• An officer attended a week long School Resource Officer school. (40 hours)
• The Administrative Assistant and Records Clerk attended the Law Enforcement Professional Administration Conference in Grinnell presented by the Iowa Police Chief’s Association. (16 hours).
• The investigator attended training in Knoxville on Computer Crimes against Children. (8 hours)
• Two officers attended the Street Survival Seminar in Waterloo presented by Caliber Press. (32 hours)
• The investigator attended a two day Homicide and Crime Scene Management at the Des Moines Police Academy. (16 hours)

Public Relations:

• Officers volunteered to be in a dunk tank during the children’s activity at the Summer Lunch Program. This is the second year in a row that the department has participated.
• Members of the department have volunteered at the Summer Lunch program 6 times this month.
• Three child seat safety seat inspections were completed.
• Officers had a station at Blues and BBQ to allow kids to fingerprint the patrol car. The car remained printed for about a week before it was washed off. We received several positive comments about this activity again.
• An officer provided a lead escort for the Turkey Trot 5K and 10K.
• Several officers worked security at the Blues and Barbeque event and the Lieutenant planned our emergency response.
• We assisted with the Youth Triathlon and Officer DJ1uan provided music for the event.
• Officers stopped in and handed out stickers and highlighters for the Movie under the Stars event.
• The Neighborhood Camera Program was launched. Information given to us by homeowners is put in a database in case we need to contact them about criminal matters in the neighborhood. The program is voluntary and was brought to the department by a resident. We thought she had a great idea to help with criminal activity in the neighborhoods.

Equipment:                                                                                                     

• A Ford Escape was added to the fleet and will be the investigator’s vehicle.

Enforcement:
 

• Officers saw an increase in the calls for fireworks around the 4^th of July holiday. This time was spent as an educational period because of the State Law changes on being legal and able to purchase locally.
• Officers continue to get calls for thefts from motor vehicles in several neighborhoods North of Penn Street. These are items left in unsecured vehicles and include purses, wallets, keys, and change.
• Bicycles have also been reported stolen in and around the Community Center. Four bikes have been recovered and turned back over to their owner. These owners refused to pursue charges since they got their property back.
• The Penn Elementary Green House was vandalized. This case is still active at this time.

Department Admin:

• Juan Santiago is in the FTO process for the transition from a part-time employee to a full-time employee.
• The 9 month policy migration to Lexipol has been completed. Staff have reviewed and read all of the policies. To test their knowledge they will be taking a Daily Training Bulletin. This is a scenario of everyday happenings, spelling out the issues and best course of action, applying the department policy and then answering a question to demonstrate staff understanding of the policy. These examples are provide by Lexipol monthly and apply directly to our policy. This is also logged for additional training. Also if there are any laws changes the policy can be easily amended, updated and distributed to staff highlighting the change and why.
• Two military members had their 2 week mandatory training this month.
• Officers were once again given the opportunity to voluntarily complete the pre-hiring physical fitness test. Officers who complete the tests within their age bracket receive two hours of overtime, that is doubled if they finish in the age bracket below.
• We are working on an MOU with the Sheriff’s Office and Coralville Police to join the County’s Special Response/Tactical training team. This would create a regional team and be beneficial to our department and the community.
• We have made our selection for the body-worn camera solution from the federal grant. We are waiting on clearance from the DOJ to make the purchases of the cameras, software and storage. This is a 50/50 grant for $29,820.
• We continue working and the RFQ for an Architect firm for the Police Station. This was completed and sent out to 8 firms. These firms have specialized in police facilities only and have built in Iowa.