Dalton Police Blog

IACP Releases Immigration Guidelines

The International Association of Chiefs of Police recently released immigration guidelines for local law enforcement agencies.  The publication includes a historical perspective of immigration, legal updates, and highlights some of the challenges facing law enforcement.

This document is an excellent resource for both law enforcement agencies and the general public and will educate both in the very complex issues surrounding immigration.

Download PoliceChiefsGuidetoImmigration.pdf

Dalton Police Department Hosts Immigration Forum

The Dalton Police Department hosted it's third in a series of forums last night at City Hall last night.  Dalton Police Chief James Chadwick and Agent Steve Peluso, resident agent in charge of the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Dalton, gave presentations and answered questions from approximately 50 residents in attendance.

The goal of the forum was to inform the public on what law enforcement agencies have been doing and will be doing in the future relating to immigration issues.

A fourth and final forum regarding personal security and safety is planned for sometime before the end of the year.

Suspect Sought in Multiple Burglaries

Dalton Police investigators are looking for a suspect in multiple burglaries.  Investigators believe the suspect has burglarized a rash of businesses in Dalton and Catoosa County.  In each burglary, the suspect broke the front door of the business and either stole or attempted to steal the cash register or cash drawer.

The suspect is described as a white male with tattoos on his forearms.

Three pictures of the suspect's vehicle are shown below.  Anyone with information about this suspect is asked to call Detective Greg Bates with the police department at (706) 278-9085 extension 137.  Callers can also contact the department's crime tip HOTLINE at (706) 278-9085 extension 221 if they wish to leave an anonymous tip.

Two Suspects Sought In Purse Theft

Dalton Police Department investigators are looking for two individuals wanted in connection with a purse theft on June 17, 2007.  The male and female suspects entered the victim's unlocked vehicle parked at the Church of Latter Day Saints on 610 Shugart Road.  After leaving church service, the victim discovered the stolen purse and immediately canceled all credit cards.  However, the suspects had already used the credit cards to buy gift cards at the Dalton Wal-Mart.  The suspects then traveled south stopping at several Wal-marts using the gift cards. They were driving a full size dark in color pickup truck

Pictures of the suspects are listed below.  Anyone with information about these suspects is asked to contact Detective Matthew Locke with the police department at (706) 278-9085 extension 320.  Callers can also contact the department's crime tip HOTLINE at (706) 278-9085 extension 221 if they wish to leave an anonymous tip.

 

Be Sure to Attend Immigration Forum

The Dalton Police Department will be hosting an immigration forum September 13th, 2007 starting at 6:00 p.m. at Dalton's City Hall.  Chief of Police James D. Chadwick, along with a member of the Immigration Customs Enforcement Division of the Department of Homeland Security will present a short presentation followed by a question and answer session.

The purpose of this forum is to inform the public on the Dalton Police Department's past, present, and future efforts concerning immigration.

This forum is the third in a series hosted this year by the Dalton Police Department.  Past forums addressed Gangs and Illegal Drug Use.  A Personal Safety and Security forum is still scheduled to occur before the end of this year.

School Bus & School Zone Awareness

With local schools back in session, the Dalton Police Department reminds drivers to be aware of school buses and school zones.  Under Georgia law code section 40-6-163 it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus.  If a driver is caught doing this, they face a hefty fine of $677.00.  Also, fines for speeding in a school zone are doubled.

Successful First Year For The Dalton Police Blog

September 7th marks one year since the inception of the Dalton Police blog.  In just one year, the blog has had over 50,000 hits.  And the blog has had more than 11,000 hits in the last 10 days. 

The blog allows the police department to have easier communication with the public by providing them with information concerning crime trends, events, and news about their communities.  The public is able to subscribe the blog and make comments about posted stories. The concept of using blogs to deliver information to the public is a growing trend in law enforcemment.

A recent comment underlines the importance and far reach of using this service in addition to other media sources:

"Congratulations on your successful year of blogging. Our agency subscribes to your feeds as we monitor the few really good police blogs around the country. Yours is one of the better ones - job well done!" -  Bill LePere, Asst Chief of Police, Lakeland (FL) PD (www.insidelakelandpd.org)

         

Chief Chadwick's Resignation

The Public Safety Commission has accepted Police Chief James D. Chadwick's resignation effective November 1, 2007.  Chief Chadwick began as a rookie officer with the police department in 1974, serving Dalton for 33 years. Assistant Chief Jason Parker will serve as Interim Chief following Chadwick's departure.

From the Dalton Daily Citizen, by Charles Oliver:

When James Chadwick started as a patrol officer with the Dalton Police Department in 1974, the department had 22 officers. Today, the department has 92 officers.But the department has grown in more than just numbers, Chadwick says. “Now, we probably have the highest-educated law enforcement agency that we have ever had. I think we have somewhere around six or seven people with master’s degrees,” said Chadwick.

Chadwick, 55, announced his resignation Tuesday, effective Nov. 1. The Public Safety Commission and the Dalton City Council accepted the resignation and named assistant chief Jason Parker as interim chief while the city searches for a successor. Chadwick is leaving to become manager of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center law enforcement academy on Brickyard Road. “I’ve been looking at some other opportunities and actually found one I thought was a good fit for me, so I decided it was time to pursue that,” Chadwick said. As academy manager, Chadwick will be in charge of training new officers for law enforcement agencies across Northwest Georgia, including the Dalton Police Department.

Chadwick, who has been chief since 1994, says he has held just about every job he could hold in the department. “I went from patrol officer to detective. I was a detective sergeant, a detective lieutenant, a detective captain. I was in charge of support services as a captain. I then became deputy chief over support services, then I was deputy chief over patrol,” he said.

Chadwick, a Dalton native and Dalton High School graduate, served as a security officer in the Air Force before starting with the department. Chadwick says he has worked with many dedicated professional people in Dalton. “The department has accomplished a lot. We have improved the overall education and training of the department. That’s attributable to the hard-working people here in the department,” he said.

Chadwick said he will miss working with the men and women of the department. “We have a tremendous amount of qualified personnel here. I don’t think my leaving will impact the department whatsoever. I have every expectation the department will continue to move forward,” Chadwick said.

City Council members Tuesday praised Chadwick’s accomplishments at the department. “I was his faculty adviser (at Dalton State College),” recalled council member Terry Christie. “I’ve known James for a long, long time, and he is an outstanding man. He has done a remarkable job for us.” Mayor Ray Elrod was a member of the City Council that hired Chadwick as chief. “He has done a great job, and he will be missed. But I think he will be happy with his new endeavor, and he will still be here in Dalton,” Elrod said. Council member Dick Lowrey serves as the council’s liaison to the Public Safety Commission. “He’s done a great job, and we are going to miss him,” Lowrey said.