Friday, November 14, 2008

Police Chief Chat - Veteran's Day / Friday Backpack Program

Good morning, I hope you had a great week and were able to attend at least one of the many Veteran’s Day programs held in an around Rolla in honor of those who have preserved our freedom by serving our country. The Rolla Junior High School, Mark Twain Elementary and Hickory Pit Barbecue all offered programs, luncheons and services to show appreciation for the sacrifices these great men and women endured in the name of freedom and support of our constitution.

We have several service related organizations in our area that offer support to our veterans in the way of social gatherings, fundraising events and memorial tributes and benefit information. These organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Disabled Association of Veterans and AMVETS provide a wide variety of services to benefit local heroes such as Bill Jenks, Dick Elgin, Bosco Eudaly, Neal Grannemann, Ed Schmidt, Les Burris, Bill Feeler, Michael Flowers, Neal Jocsing, Al Parsons, Jim Greig, Eddie Schwartz, Luke Kearse, John Mittendorf, Butch Fiebelman, Tom Pasley, Jim Fiscus, Bill Stoltz, Stan Spadoni, Ed Lorey, Forrest O’neal, Bill Wright and Fred Kruger. These and many others from our own community stood proud, pledged allegiance and did what they had to do to keep the rest of us safe in conflicts ranging from World War II, the Korean War, Viet Nam War and the War in Iraq! Thank you to all veterans past and present for what you have done and for what you are about to do to keep us safe!

Lieutenant Jason Smith and I had the opportunity to attend the International Police Chiefs Association annual conference held in San Diego, California this past week. The conference is designed to present Police Chief’s from all over the world with the latest in equipment demonstrations, tactics, management styles and philosophies to better serve their agencies. There are also break-out sessions featuring nationally recognized guest speakers who cover preventive measures in turnover rates, public opinion analysis and community policing advantages. . Other management sessions were presented from the nation’s top cops on how to win in situations that require use of force. The training began on Saturday, November 8 and ran through Wednesday November 12, 2008.

I learned from our own Behind the Badge organization that the local founder of the Friday Backpack Program, Faith Barnes with the assistance of the Christian Life Center has secured a $19,000.00 donation to assist in funding the backpack program. The program provides food items to children in need on Friday after school to ascertain that they will be nourished over the weekend to stimulate better study habits. Our Behind the Badge group assists Faith and others in filling the backpacks each week. The program now includes all 3 of the Rolla elementary schools and the Newburg elementary school and serves over 200 students. Way to go Faith and the CLC. Great job! And a special thanks to the donors. This is just one more example of how this community comes together in times of need.

In closing, I would like to congratulate Patrol Officer Josh Campbell and K-9 Ziggy for successfully completing 2 weeks of certification training in tracking, narcotic detection building and article searches and handler protection with the Dogwood Inn and Training Center in Jeffersonville, In. Officer Campbella and Ziggy trained side by side for during the 80 hour certification. Ziggy was partnered with Pto. Campbell after serving Senior Patrol Officer Adam Meyer. Great job Josh and Ziggy!

I hope you have a great week!

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