Dalton Police Blog

Police Participate in Yearly Firearms Qualification and Training

Dalton police officers recently participated in a yearly qualification and training session with their issued sidearm, the Sig Sauer P229 semi-auto pistol.  Each year, all sworn officers with the department attend and complete 8 hours of firearms training, including one hour of use of force.

As of January 2006, the State of Georgia P.O.S.T. council now requires all sworn officers to qualify yearly on a state approved course of fire and also complete a minimum of 1 hour of instruction in the use of force.  Prior to this change, there was no state requirement to qualify once the officer completed basic mandate training.

The Dalton Police Department implemented the state's requirements in January 2005 in anticipation to this recent change.  The police department has been doing yearly firearms qualifications since 1984.

Dalton P.D. Officers Shooting the 25 yard stage of the qualification course

Sergeant Steve Hodge (left) and Lieutenant Jason Parker using cover during firearms training.  Cover is emphasized during firearms training since it will help protect the officer during a deadly force encounter

Police Department's Drug Unit Seizes Money and Guns

The Dalton Police Department's Drug Investigation Unit, through a joint investigation with the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office, recently seized approximately 15 pounds of marijuana, $3000 in cash, a shotgun, and miscellaneous other drug related items.  The street value of the marijuana is estimated at $24,000.  The subjects arrested were also found with Methamphetamines and powdered cocaine.

The police department wants to remind everyone again about the department's Drug/Crime Tip Hotline at 706-278-9085 extension 221.  All calls are considered condidential.

Police Looking for Two Women for Fraud

The Dalton Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division is looking for two women for fraud.  It is believed that the women entered a local Dalton store and while one of the women distracted the cashier, the other stole the victim's credit card from her purse.

The Card was later used at the Walgreen's in Dalton.  The card was also used at CVS pharmacy in Calhoun, Georgia, and the Dillard Store in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The females are both described as black females, heavy build with medium length dark hair, approximately 30 years of age.

Anyone that can identify these women is asked to contact Detective Matthew Locke at 706-278-9085 extension 320.

Video surveillance photos of the suspects believed to have used a stolen credit card to purchase goods

Police Still Receiving Calls Regarding Cancer Scam

Detective Mack Flood with the Criminal Investigation Division continues to get calls in reference to Pamela Allen's scam of receiving money and services for alleging to have terminal cancer. 

Detective Flood says that he has received several call from individuals who did not leave enough information for him to return their call.  He has asked that anyone that has contacted him and has not received a return call to leave him another message at 706-278-9085 ext. 218.

He is especially interested in speaking with individuals who were scammed out of money by Ms. Allen in the Dalton area.

Police Department to Conduct Operations to Combat Agressive Driving

During the month December, Dalton Police Department's Special Operations Unit, along with the Patrol Division, will conduct several operations targeting aggressive driving, reckless driving, improper lane change, turning without signaling, following too close, and speeding.

The operations will target areas that have traditionally been high accident areas as well as areas that have a high volume of traffic.  The operations will be conducted during the day as well as night time hours.  During the holiday seasons, Dalton's roadways can become congested with holiday shoppers causing traffic accidents to rise and impatient motorists.

The Dalton Police Department would also like to remind motorist to not drink and drive and to buckle up.

Police Arrest Woman Who Lied About Having Terminal Cancer

Police continue to investigate Ms. Pamela Allen for allegedly deceiving people out of money and services.  Ms. Allen has been telling others for the past one and one-half years that she has terminal cancer when in fact she does not.  She has received money and assistance in the form of vacation homes and sitter services to assist her with her alleged condition.

Individuals became suspicious when Ms. Allen's medical condition did not worsen and she did not die.  The police department became aware of the situation in August of this year and began a investigation into case.  While the department has identified several victims in this case.  A felony warrant for Theft by Deception was obtained on Ms. Allen.

The investigation continues to identify other victims in this scam that are willing to prosecute Ms. Allen for her crime.  These victims are encouraged to contact Detective Mack Flood, the lead investigator in this case, at 706-278-9085 extension 218.

Ms. Pamela Allen arrested for Theft by Deception after receiving goods and services for alledging terminal cancer

Downtown Christmas Parade

A reminder that the Downtown Dalton Christmas parade will be this Saturday, December 9 at 10:00 A.M. The parade will require that Hamilton Street be closed starting at 10:00 P.M. the night before. Parents are cautioned to keep an eye on small children who may be tempted to chase candy or other items thrown from parade vehicles.

For more details about the parade activities, see this Daily Citizen-News story.

Police Searching for Suspect in Aggravated Assault Case

Dalton police investigators are searching for a man wanted for shooting a firearm into a vehicle his wife and child were riding in.  The incident happened on November 30th at around 6:00 a.m. at St. Claire's on Murray Avenue.  The shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute between the suspect and his wife.

The suspect has been identified as:

• Mr. Stephen McHan of Dalton
• white male
• 23 years of age
• 5'10" tall
• 185 pounds
• Brown hair
• Brown eyes

The police department has obtained warrants on Mr. McHan for Aggravated Assault, Cruelty to children (3rd degree), and Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Mr. McHan is asked to contact Detective Alan Woods at 706-278-9085 extension 145.

  Suspect, Stephan McHan, wanted for aggravated assault with a firearm against his wife and child

Dalton Police Department Conducts "Fatal Vision" Classes at Dalton High School

The Dalton Police Department's Special Operations Unit recently conducted Fatal Vision classes at Dalton High School on December 5th and 6th, in conjunction with the Driver's Ed Program.  It is a two day program.  Students will be in the classroom the first day and on the second day will be allowed to drive a golf cart, wearing Fatal Vision goggles.

During the classroom portion of the program, officers from the Special Operations Unit will speak to the students about the danger of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  The officer will also speak to the students about traffic law pertaining to teenage drivers, including class CP and class D driving licenses.  On the second day, a cone course will be set up and students, wearing Fatal Vision Goggles, will attempt to drive a golf cart through the course.  The golf cart exercise is used to illustrate how a driver's vision is impaired while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The purpose of the class is to get students to understand the consequences of drinking alcohol or using drugs and then getting behind the wheel of an automobile, or being a passenger of a friend or family member that is operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Officer Shaun Scott and student participating in the Fatal Vision cone course

Dalton Police Cadet is Honor Graduate

Dalton Police Officer Matthew Ray graduated with Academic Honors in a ceremony held December 5, 2006. Officer Ray was a member of Class 182 of the East Georgia Police Academy in Augusta, GA. Officer Ray and his classmates began the academy on September 22, and endured more than 30 exams and practical exercises.

According to Captain Bill Taylor, Basic Police Training Coordinator for the academy, The East Georgia Police Academy is the oldest in the state. Normally, Dalton officers attend the local academy, but Ray was assigned to the Augusta academy when others were full for the last class of 2006.

Officer Ray will begin his field training immediately. This training includes approximately seventeen (17) additional weeks with an experienced Police Training Officer (PTO) at the department before Ray is released to solo status.