Police Chief Chat

Another busy week in that we handled 758 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 23 accidents, 60 9-1-1 hang up calls, 34 disturbance calls (domestic or other), 44 traffic complaints, 18 assists of other agencies, 10 fingerprint requests, 4 transient aids, 93 traffic stops, 29 arrests and 22 suspicious nature calls. I worked evening shift last night so that I could see what’s going on and to be with the troops. When I came in at 2:30 pm, the Narcocs Unit had already seized two separate meth labs. We then served a search warrant for a stolen weapon at 5:00 pm and seized more drugs. A second search warrant was executed on a meth lab on Heller street at 6:00 p.m., netting 3 arrests. And finally, a third search warrant was served on Bray at 11:00 pm, where methamphetamine and meth lab items were seized and one suspect arrested. So in all, four meth labs were taken down yesterday, seven suspects were arrested and a stolen gun was recovered! Special thanks to our Narcotics Unit on a job well done.

This week, we will be honoring two very special facets of the Rolla Police Department our Central Communications Division and the Animal Control Division. For Central Communications this week is “National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week” where each year, the second full week of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators. It was first conceived by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County (Calif.) Sheriff's Office in 1981 and was observed only at that agency for three years. Members of the Virginia and North Carolina chapters of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) became involved in the mid-1980s. By the early 1990s, the national APCO organization convinced Congress of the need for a formal proclamation. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced what became H.J. Res. 284 to create "National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week." According to Congressional procedure, it was introduced twice more in 1993 and 1994, and then became permanent, without the need for yearly introduction. If you follow our FaceBook site or read this column you will know firsthand why this group of dedicated men and women deserve recognition. These true professionals work around the clock 24/7 taking emergency calls and directing the proper agency response. They work weekends, holidays and birthdays covering rotating shifts over a 24 hour period and are expected to perform their duties professionally whether it is 2:00 p.m. or 4:00 a.m. Here is a list of the telecommunicators that serve you in Central Dispatch: Paula Volkmer, Stayce Smith, Scott Olds, Chuck Satterfield, Amy King, Tabitha Stanley, Tony Craft, Matt Goss, Jamie Jones, Susan Vogeler, Alicia Hill, Trina Duarte, Amanda Rogers and Clint Capps. Thank you for all you do!

Coincidentally, this week also happens to be “National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week!” The National Animal Control Officer’s Association has declared the second full week of April as a time when we show appreciation towards the hard-working men and women of Animal Control that risk their lives and spend huge amounts of personnel resources including time away from family and friends while serving the public like all the other public safety and law enforcement agencies involved and empowered with the same duties. The men and women of the Rolla Animal Control Division are dedicated professionals who not only rid our neighborhoods of dangerous domestic and non-domestic animals, but also offer a safe haven for family pets that have wandered off or become lost. Drop by the Rolla Animal Shelter sometime and say hello to our ACO staff who includes: Inge Wilson, John Redshaw, Roy Taylor and Janet Ray. Thank you for all you do!

The following excerpt is from Telecommunications Supervisor Stayce Smith on the kind offerings received from Telecommunications Week and Animal Control Officers Week. Stayce writes: This week in honor of National Telecommunicator’s Week and Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, our staff received a special treat from the Metro Business College Massage Therapy Program . Julie Phillips brought over 4 of her students this week to offer free chair massages for our Animal Control Officers , Phelps County Sherriff’s Dept. info techs and telecommunicators from the Rolla Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri Science & Technology Police Department. This was the perfect opportunity for the students to get some practice and our employees to get “de-stressed”. We really appreciate the participation of Julie Phillips and her students: Brandy Stone, Kendra Cross, Briana Bewig and David Pinnell.

The Metro Business College Students were not the only ones who showed their appreciation this week. Telecommunicators were treated to lunch on Thursday by my Command Staff and me. Our Communications Chief made homemade pizzas for her staff and though I don’t want to offend any of our local pizzerias………….. I must say her pizza is some of the best ever! Members of Phelps County Ambulance stopped by on Wednesday with fruit baskets for each shift of dispatchers . Students from Mrs. Lauth’s first grade class at Mark Twain sent over pictures and thank you notes for dispatchers. The City of Rolla Fire & Rescue launched a Facebook campaign to get 1000 “LIKES” for dispatch. The ladies of Behind the Badge prepared goody bags and Comm. Chief Volkmer decorated the Communications Center. I know our staff really appreciates everyone’s support. Thanks to everyone who helped make this week so special for our employees!

The next excerpt if from Spo. Tommy Davis. Tommy writes: On April 11, 2010, Spo. Chrissy Smith, Spo. Tommy Davis, Pto. Steven Gray and Pto. Chris Reeder responded to the 700 block of E 7th Street for a report of a possible burglary in progress. Upon arrival officers observed a male exit the residence carrying items. When he saw the police, he dropped the items and ran. While PTO Gray and PTO Reeder chased the first male suspect, SPO Smith and SPO Davis chased after a second male suspect. SPO Smith and SPO Davis located and arrested the second male suspect a few moments later, after he had tried hiding from the officers. Officers obtained information reference to the first male that ran and were able to identify him and make and arrest. Further investigation revealed that the property from the burglarized residence had been distributed to several different locations. Officers were able to identify three suspects and recovered several items from four different residences around Phelps County.

The Rolla Police Department would like to thank the neighbors in the area who called the police. Without the assistance of the observant citizens in the area, officers would have had a difficult time locating the suspects and gaining some of the victim’s property back. Thank You.

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse