Police Reports for December 2019

Traffic Contacts: 441
Parking Contacts: 30
Vehicle Inspections: 24
Vehicle Unlocks: 24
Crash Investigations: 13
Public Assists: 444
Assist other Agency: 114
Crimes Against Persons Report: 5
Crimes Against Property Report: 17
Other Reports: 38
Arrests: 42
Warrants: 5
Alcohol/Narcotics Charges: 31
Crimes Against Persons Charges: 2
Crimes Against Property Charges: 15
Other Charges: 18
Animal Calls: 54
Total Calls for Service: 2,172
*Total Calls for Service for the year: 28,645

Training:

Bomb squad, dive team, canine, and SERT training was attended by members this month (40 hours)

• Officers completed Target Solutions on-line training on Domestic Violence (22 hours)
• Our Hostage negotiator trained with SERT on issues, past practices and possible collaborations (6 hours)
• Supervisors had online training for suicide prevention and safe driving practices for scene control and being out in traffic (12 hours).
• K-9 and handler were re-certified for another layer of certification in Chariton, Iowa by a Master Handler from another state. (8 hours)
• Our Drug Recognition Expert was recertified this month in Des Moines. (12 hours)
• Staff attended the Stop the Bleed training presented by JCAS that was hosted by the city (24 hours)

Public  Relations:

• Held our annual Presents with Police shopping event. We received 25 applications and 9 children were chosen to participate. Ten officers shopped with the kids to help pick out gifts for family members. Santa was there to help spread the holiday cheer and to get pictures with folks in the store. Walmart set up a designated checkout lane and donated $100, Pizza Hut provided pizza for our party and an anonymous donor provided cash for the cause at the checkout. The North Liberty Leader was on site to get pictures and comments about the event. Thank you to everyone who donated money and especially their time to help make this another successful year.
• attended a PR event for career day at his daughter’s 4^th-grade class.
• Officers worked overtime for Liberty HS for basketball games. The school district reimburses us for the officer’s hours.
• Chief was invited and attended a meet and greet at Keystone Place with several residents.
• Hosted ride-a-longs for applicants who are going through the hiring process.
• Assisted Clear Creek Amana school district with Stop the Bleed training.
• Assisted and provided training for robbery response protocols at a local bank.
• Provided a police car for the public safety illuminated “Wave” to the children at the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
• Falco and Officer Campbell did a K-9 demonstration at Penn Elementary.
• We received a $100 donation in loving memory of their Grandson and nephew Griffin. This will be used for treats and care of Falco and is greatly appreciated.
• Completed our yearly business checks for all businesses in NL. This is done every two years and we update after hour contact information for keyholders, alarm companies, and any extra patrol needs.

Equipment:

• CSS installed a new switch for the PD. The plan is for the switch to be used in the new PD and will be a plug and play feature when we are ready to move.
• We purchased a Dodge Durango from a dealer in Des Moines. This was supposed to be for a Ford Explorer; however, production is on hold and none were currently available. We were unsure when they would ship and we were in need to make the change. We are having Keltek install the vehicle equipment.

Enforcement:

• Officers worked traffic enforcement over the holidays.
• The department partnered with the State of Iowa Alcohol and Beverage Division to conduct tobacco compliance at 13 of our local retailers. Only one establishment, Gasby’s, failed and provided tobacco to a person under the age of 18.

Department Admin:

• SERT firearms testing was held this month at the CR range. The candidates practiced the handgun qualification drills. The highest marksman, Travis Clubb, was selected to become the next member of the SERT team. He will start training with the team in January of 2020.
• We are continuing with the applicant background testing for the two open positions.
• Continue to get quotes for TV’s, Cleaning, and finalizing furniture plans for the new PD.
• Toured Altoona PD/City Hall’s new construction. We are using the same company for furniture and wanted to see their designs.
• Chief has been selected by the Governor to be on the ILEA council (pending Senate confirmation). This is a board position and at the request of the Iowa Police Chief’s Association. She has already attended her first council meeting in this capacity.
• Several members attended the City Staff Holiday Party. Three officers received the perfect attendance award, Rueben Ross, Ryan Rockafellow, and Spence Madole. Longevity awards went to 5 years-Scott Sammons, 10 Years-Alisha Ruffcorn, and 20 Years-Diane Venenga. Officer Bruce Sexton was awarded the 2019 Officer of the Year. Alisha Ruffcorn also won the best costume award at the party.
• We had an increase of 3,854 Calls for Service over 2018. We did see a decrease in reported property crime and criminal charges for property crime in 2018. Records staff are working on the year-end report and that will be out in a few months once the UCR Crime reporting is tallied.