This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 682 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 20 accidents, 51 hang up 911 calls, 29 disturbance calls (domestic or other), 40 traffic complaints, 50 traffic stops, 16 arrests, 25 assist of other agencies, 2 burglaries, 2 benevolent fund requests, 1 open door investigation, 3 escorts, 74 security checks, and 16 stealing reports.
On Wednesday, June 16, 2010, officers of the South Central Drug Task Force, the Rolla Police Department, and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department concluded a short term narcotics investigation in the 1200 block of East 14th Street in Rolla, Missouri. As a result of the investigation, the following person was arrested and incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail: Renetha Wells, age 39 of Rolla, was arrested for unlawful use of a weapon by being a felon in possession of a handgun, receiving stolen property (firearm), and possession of marijuana. The charges for which the above mentioned suspects were arrested are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
On Thursday, June 17, 2010, officers of the South Central Drug Task Force, the Rolla Police Department, and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department concluded a short term narcotics investigation in the 800 block of Avon Court in Rolla, Missouri. As a result of the investigation, the following person was arrested and incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail: James P. Bailey, age 19 of Rolla, was arrested for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, and endangering the welfare of a child in the 1st degree. The charges for which the above mentioned suspects were arrested are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
In addition to the above mentioned drug arrests, the South Central Drug Task Force, Rolla Police Department and members of the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department served
2 additional search warrants in the City of Rolla where illegal drugs and weapons were seized. The details of these investigations will be released very soon. Great job to the South Central Task Force, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and the Rolla Police Department. We will continue to aggressively pursue those that choose to violate the law here in the Phelps County area and do our best to rid this community of these persistent criminals!
On Friday, June 18, 2010, Spo. Leann Robertson responded to a domestic dispute on Vichy Road, involving a male and female. After the incident, the father of one of the involved parties contacted me and wanted to discuss the manner in which the situation was handled by the responding officer (Robertson)! The father wanted me to know that Leann was very professional, had compassion, cared and listened, and yet did an outstanding job keeping the scene under control. In appreciation he offered to buy her dinner, which is an offer we could not accept. Leann, every person we deal with, every call you handle and every time someone sees you drive by they are judging you and the Rolla Police Department. Compassion is probably the strongest way to get people to believe in you and the Rolla Police Department. Again, thank you for your service!
On Wednesday of this week, I had the honor of addressing over 100 members and guests at the monthly Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at the Oak Meadow Country Club. The topic of my presentation was the progress the Rolla Police Department has undergone under my leadership and what future challenges I anticipate for the agency. When I was appointed Chief over 3 years ago, I already had visions and a direction on where I felt, the Rolla Police Department should head. In my previous 25 years of law enforcement experience, all but about 1 ½ years was spent with my hometown police department. I began my career as a patrol officer handling calls, making arrests, investigating criminal activity and working rotating shifts, all the while trying to support a family on a very meager salary. Through my years at the Rolla Police Department I had the privilege of working under 3 different Police Chiefs whom in my opinion, were each outstanding in his own right, even though each one offered very different management styles.
Using the experiences gathered from working under each of the management styles and witnessing first hand, the effects these styles have on employees, I soon decided if I were to ever be appointed Chief of Police for the Rolla Police Department, I would instill upon my employees, the following philosophy: The backbone of our decision making will begin by using the principles of the Three Pillars! The Three Pillars and principles are that the Employees, Citizens and Professionalism of the Department are all equal in regards to importance! All decisions made will take into consideration the improvements of these three areas, and not by taking from one to add to another. We will only add to each area to improve those areas! Our employees are reminded that we are a Team, we are Professionals, we are all Assets, we are a Family and we will serve the citizens in a professional and caring manner. It is our job to bring the utmost respect to law enforcement profession and to the Rolla Police Department. Well, as you know, my dream to become the Chief of Police of the Rolla Police Department has come true and the principles of the Three Pillars is what governs our service to you!
In regards to what lies ahead for the Rolla Police Department, I would like to offer that I truly believe we are one of the best, if not the best police department in the state! Especially when manpower, call volume and crime rates are considered. The Rolla Police Department offers a very diverse mixture of enforcement techniques, pro-active strategies and resource management to do the best we can do to keep our community safe. We are desperately in need of more police officers but with the current economic situation our chances to bolster our manpower are minimal. Sadly, in recent years, we have seen a migration of a non-local criminal element coming into our community from other areas. This trend is on the rise due to a variety of reasons such as a slowed economy, available housing and shelter type assistance programs and many other variables. The Rolla Police Department has adopted the 95%-4%-1%er rule in that we believe that 95% of our citizens are good law-abiding citizens.
95% of the people are good law-abiding citizens. They make mistakes, break minor traffic laws, minor infractions and sometimes make a bad decision like you and I. They are your mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and relatives. Treat them as such, we do!
4% of the people are petty criminals. They steal, break into cars, damage property, drink too much, use illegal drugs and struggle to live in our community because they have weaknesses. They deserve respect! However, we will enforce the laws to better them and the our community.
1% ers. These are the true predators of our society. They deal their poisons to the 95% and the 4%. They rape, murder, burglarize, assault and cause catastrophic situations upon the good people! These are our targets! We will enforce the laws to the fullest extent when dealing with the 1%ers! They are not welcome in our community!
We will treat the 100% as our best friend until they cause us to do differently!
In closing, I would like to remind you that our 3rd of 3 Neighborhood Watch Zone meetings will be held on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at the 1st Assembly of God Church, located at 1608 N. Oak St. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free to the public. We will offer information on Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response (CERT), Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS), and the services of the American Red Cross. We will also have representatives from the Phelps County Health Department who will provide information on emergency sheltering. Hope to see you Thursday!
Have a great week!
Chief Mark Kearse
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