Police Chief Chat

This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 567 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 21 arrests, 14 alarms, 22 accidents, 36 traffic complaints, 88 traffic stops, 13 disturbance calls (including domestics), 11 suspicious nature calls, 22 assists of other agencies, 57 911 hang up calls, 7 check the well being requests, 24 animal control calls, 16 stealing calls, 16 escorts, 33 security checks, and 2 intoxicated person calls. This call total is down 16 calls from last week. Better, but yet another busy week!

From our Communications Division: Congratulations to Communications Supervisor Stacey Smith. Stacey is our communications training coordinator and has recently developed and submitted 5 lesson plans for 9-1-1 telecommunicator training courses for certification. Course titles are: “The Dreaded... Call - Crisis Intervention”, “Excited Delirium for Dispatchers”, “Tech – Jeopardy” and “Share the Wealth and Service with a Smile”. Today she received notification that the Missouri 911 Oversight Committee approved all 5 courses! These courses are being taught as part of our compliance with the State of Missouri's mandated telecommunicator certification. Her hard work, attention to detail and dedication to the profession is certainly evident. Way to go Stayce!

Last week we welcomed back former Animal Control Officer Kathleen McMeen who accepted a temporary re-assignment from her position at the Recreation Centre to fill in at the Animal Control Shelter. Kathleen filled in temporarily until a full time replacement could be hired. The full time position was posted and as it turned out, Kathleen was our only applicant and of course, the best applicant, so we offered her the position. Kathleen has accepted and will start full time this Sunday. Please stop in and welcome her back. Kathleen will be working with veteran Animal Control Officers Roy Taylor, part-time animal shelter associate Katie Strawbridge and Animal Control Supervisor John Redshaw. Welcome back Kathleen!

Last week, Representatives from Rolla Police Department Behind the Badge group accepted donations from local citizens who held a benefit raffle that took place over the weekend. Josie Naikoi and Anthony Vandiver, upon witnessing the devastation of the New Years Eve tornado, took it upon themselves to organize a benefit raffle. Soliciting local businesses for donations, they hosted an evening event that garnered over $2,300 for tornado victims. Behind the Badge is a non-profit organization (not a 501c3) accepting donations on behalf of the Phelps County tornado victims. 100% of the money accepted will go directly to the victims. The event was attended by hundreds of participants! Great job guys! This is just one more example of the outstanding community spirit shared in the Rolla community.

In closing, I would like to mention that S/Sgt. Rick Williams is the Region 6 Area Coordinator on the Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee of Special Olympics – Missouri and coordinates all of our fundraising efforts in support of our Special Olympic athletes. Each year the Rolla Police Department takes part in several events to not only raise money but to also raise awareness of how great a program Special Olympics is for those who suffer disabilities. The Rolla Police Department begins the year with torch run t-shirt sales in January. Then in the May, we host actual Law Enforcement Torch Run followed by our annual Trivia Night in October of each year and will be proud to do so again in 2011. The Rolla Police Department is a proud member of the Torch Run Club which is comprised of law enforcement agencies across Missouri who have raised over $1,000.00 each year for Special Olympics. The contributing agencies have the proud distinction of having the agencies name of the back of the Torch Run t-shirts each year. The Rolla Police Department has been a member of the Torch Club each year since 1993. If you would like to take a look at the 2011 Torch Run t-shirts or are interested in purchasing the same, contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at the Rolla Police Department at 308-1213. The cost of the shirts is $10 for the short-sleeve shirts and $15 for the long-sleeve. This year the short sleeve shirt is offered in “Cardinal” red! Help us help the athletes!

Chief Mark Kearse