Police Chief Chat

This week, my staff and I met with local funeral directors to discuss our procedures when assigning patrol officers as funeral escorts. This is a service that we feel is not only a service to the community in the way of traffic safety but also a comforting and respectful message to the grieving families that the Rolla Police Department cares. Our biggest concern was the fact that there are times when there are only 3 patrol units on duty and with our typical call volume, it is difficult to provide this service as much as we would like. One solution of course would be to hire additional officers, but with the current budget constraints, that is not likely. Another solution considered was to assign the escort requests to our Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) personnel. The VIPS patrol cars are clearly marked and are equipped with emergency lights and siren and if our volunteer force is kept to or exceeds our current level, we should have the available manpower to provide this service. The primary concern of the funeral directors is the inattentiveness or indifference of some motorists in regards to laws governing the safety and respect shown to funeral processions. State law states that motorists shall not drive through or in between moving vehicles who are displaying headlights and flashers and traveling in a funeral procession. State law also prohibits passing of a funeral procession that is in motion. Violators may be subject to arrest! Let's remember state law and show respect for funeral processions.

Speaking of VIPS volunteers, our spotlight this week will focus on Don Rowland. Don was born in Salem, Nebraska but has resided in Rolla for the past 32 years. Don’s retired in 1996 from the Civil Service where he spent his last 3 years as a Physical Security Specialist (Crime Prevention Specialist). Don has been married to his wife Nikky for 52 years and they have 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren! Don became interested in the VIPS program because, as he says “I was always taught to appreciate and support law enforcement. After receiving a heart transplant in 2003 I have been looking for a way to “pay back” some of what I have received. I thought volunteering to help the police department would be a way of partially doing that. Also, I was impressed with our Police Chief and what he is trying to do for Rolla!” Don works closely with our Criminal Investigation Unit where he establishes data, then analyzes the information and disperses that information to the proper police personnel. Thanks Don for all you do!

Our next featured spotlight will be on Senior Patrol Officer Chrissy Smith, who was voted “Officer of the Week’ on our Facebook site. Chrissy was born and raised in Salem, Missouri and began her law enforcement career as a jailer with the Dent County Sheriff’s Department in 1997. In 1998 Chrissy accepted a position in our Dispatch Center as a telecommunicator. Chrissy served in that capacity until 2005 when she applied and was appointed as a patrol officer. Since being assigned to the Patrol Division, Chrissy has served as a field training officer and is also one of our Explorer Post Advisors. Her current duty assignment is in our Traffic Division where she works traffic complaints, traffic enforcement and accident investigation. When Chrissy is off duty she enjoys spending time with her family. Congratulations on your win Chrissy!

This past week we had a meeting with the staff of Volunteers In Police Service (VIPs), to discuss any issues, our goals and objectives and what we need to do to get us to the next level of service to the community and to the team at the Rolla Police Department. The meeting went well with several great ideas that we are going to follow up on. As I mentioned last week, we will be conducted a recruitment drive beginning in the next couple weeks, seeking volunteers to join our VIPS program. We have a very good group of volunteers on board but still need others to supplement the intended programs we would like to provide. Currently we are seeking volunteers that have an interest in criminal investigation. Our plan is to create a diverse group of citizens within our VIPS program to work hand in hand with our Criminal Investigations Unit by conducting follow-up investigations, interviews, neighborhood canvass operations and investigative photography. If you have time on your hands, are interested in serving your police department and your community and are interested in this type of assignment, contact Dennis Noel or Vince Giacolone at 308-1213.

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse