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Dalton's newest police cadet has began the department's orientation process in preparation to attend the ten-week regional police academy in Dalton. Following the basic law enforcement training, the officer will conduct a one-week mini academy session in preparation for entering the 17-week Police Officer Training (PTO) program.
Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their fifth week of classes. Topics discussed included information about professional standards at the police department and the department's traffic unit. A TASER demonstration was also given for academy participants.
Officer Ricky Long speaking to academy participants
Officers taking part in TASER demonstration
Citizens Police Academy participants
Dalton Police officers are taking the required Physical Fitness Assessment this week. The yearly test is comprised of push-ups, sit-ups, vertical jump, agility run, 300 meter run and 1.5 mile run.
Detective Daniel Nichols completing the agility run
Officer Tommy Ensley completing the 300 meter run
Chief Jason Parker during the vertical jump
Here is a look at the crime statistics for the February 2008. Included in the chart are the statistics from February of last year.
Part I Offenses 2008 2007 Homicide 0 0 Rape 1 1 Robbery 6 8 Aggravated Assault 14 22 Burglary 28 25 Larceny - Theft 150 207 Motor Vehicle Theft 8 11 Arson 1 2 Part II Offenses 2008 2007 Other Assaults 82 70 Forgery/Counterfeiting 32 51 Fraud 56 52 Embezzlement 4 3 Stolen Property 0 0 Vandalism 93 117 Weapons Violations 9 7 Commercial Sex 0 0 Other Sex Offenses 8 12 Drug Sales 5 10 Drug Possession 68 67 Gambling 0 0 Offenses Against Family/Children 19 11 Liquor Violations 45 35 Drunkenness 22 24 Other Disorderly Conduct 84 102 Curfew Violations 7 8 All Other Offenses 328 391 DUI 65 62 Part I and II Total 1135 1298
Wal-Mart recently donated $1,200.00 for the Law Enforcement Torch Run in May. Money raised through the torch run will benefit Special Olympics Georgia. The organization provides year-round sports training for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The torch run is the largest statewide grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics Inc. It is held across the nation in every state and in more than 45 countries around the world. If you would like to help us raise money, you can make a monetary donation by clicking here.
Lt. Cliff Cason, Chief Jason Parker & Sgt. Chris Crossen accept a donation from a Wal-Mart employee
Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their fourth week of classes. Topics discussed included information about our drug unit and drug issues affecting Dalton. Academy participants also heard from our chaplains and learned about the services they provide to the department.
Sergeant Larry Smedley speaks to the class
Citizens Police Academy participants
Dalton's newest police officer received his badge and graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training Class #065 of the Northwest Georgia Police Academy on Friday, March 14th.
The academy lasts approximately 10 weeks. Instruction during the academy includes classes on Georgia law & criminal procedures, search and seizure, patrol techniques, CPR/first aid, accident investigation, emergency driving techniques and others.
Officer Jacob Burger will now enter the field training phase, monitored by an experienced training officer. If he completes the additional sixteen (16) weeks of field training, he will be ready for solo patrol.
Chief Jason Parker & Officer Jacob Burger
Dalton's Public Safety Commission is comprised of five commissioners who are appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The commission meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 8:30 am. The commission's primary responsibilities are to approve internal policies and make appointments to authorized positions.
The history of the PSC dates back to February 12, 1945 when state legislation was introduced and passed to create the Civil Service Commission, which is now known as the Public Safety Commission. This legislation created a three person commission. This was later expanded to five on December 4, 2000. Much of this 1945 law is still in effect today.
At the time, the reason for this legislation was to abolish the elected City Marshal and replace the position with an appointed Police Chief by the Civil Service Commission. It also created a pension for fire and police, both under "Civil Service". The U.S. civil service includes the Competitive Service and the Excepted Service. The majority of civil service appointments are made under the competitive service. However, certain categories in the diplomatic service, the FBI and other national security positions are made under the excepted service.
State and local governments often have competitive civil service systems that are modeled on the national system. In other words, the Civil Service Commission now known as the Public Safety Commission was created to keep the "politics" out of the fire and police departments.
Dalton's current Public Safety commissioners are Lane Ashworth, Terry Mathis, Steve Townsend, Bill Weaver and Keith Whitworth.
The Dalton Police Department honored Police Officer First Class Christopher J. Tucker as the 2007 Officer of The Year at last night's Dalton Elk's Lodge Public Safety Appreciation Banquet. Officer Tucker, who was nominated and selected by his peers, earned the award by his continuous attention to detail, his thorough follow up investigations, leading the department in arrests for DUI, and other factors.
Chief Jason Parker said of Tucker's performance, " Police Officer First Class Tucker is a shift leader, and the officers and supervisors can always count on him to know proper procedures, the law, and can rely on him to use good judgment in all situations."
The Dalton Elk's Lodge honors public safety standouts from local departments each spring, and the banquet is arranged by Mr. Phil Bailey. Dalton Mayor David Pennington delivered the keynote address for the event.
In the photo below, Officer Tucker is pictured with the award for the Dalton Police Department 2007 Officer of the Year along with Chief Jason Parker.
Dalton Police detectives are looking for 28-year old Daniel Densmore. He is wanted for using a counterfeit $500 travelers check. Densmore cashed the fake travelers check at Ace Hardware in Bryman's Plaza. After detectives attempted to contact Densmore, he fled the area. He is probably driving a red Dodge pickup truck. A warrant has been issued for Densmore's arrest. He has a lengthy criminal history in numerous north Georgia counties. If you have any information about Daniel Densmore, please call detective Matthew Locke at 706-278-9085 extension 320.
Daniel Densmore
5th graders at Westwood Elementary were educated about the dangers of drugs this week. Officers Brian Shirley and John Edwards presented information about drug use and told the students how to respond to drugs if they are presented to them or if they find them. The officers spoke to approximately 90 students and teachers and answered questions afterward.
Officers Brian Shirley & John Edwards speak to a group of students
Students learning about dangerous drugs
Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their third week of classes. Topics discussed included information about our Criminal Investigation Division and detectives. Academy participants also heard from our investigators about how the department handles gang issues.
Sergeant Truman Whitfield speaks to the class
Citizens Police Academy participants
Dalton Police detectives have arrested a gang member wanted for numerous acts of graffiti. 19-year old Eduardo Hector Hernandez is charged with 12 counts of Criminal Trespass for numerous acts of graffiti over the last two months. Hernandez is also charged with Violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act after admitting to being a member of a California gang. Hernandez was known by the name "Kaper". He is being held at the Whitfield County Jail.
Eduardo Hector Hernandez
The Dalton Police Department's Explorer Cards will go on sale March 14th. The discount cards can be used at 22 local restaurants and businesses. The discounts range from buy one, get one free to 10% off of entire purchases. You can purchase the cards for $5 at the Dalton Police Services Center, Los Reyes on Hamilton Street, Subway on South Thornton Avenue and In Heaven's Name on Airport Road. The cards are good through March 31, 2009 and all proceeds go to benefit the Dalton Police Department's Explorer Program.
Dalton Police detectives need the publics help identifying a theft suspect. The female suspect pictured below is wanted for stealing a wallet and $800 from a convenience store clerk's purse. It happened on January 18th at the Kangaroo store at East Walnut Avenue and Riverbend Road. The heavy set woman was last seen leaving in a yellow 4-door sedan. The wallet was later found at a bank in Chatsworth. If you have any information about this suspect, please call Detective Jason Bishop at 706-278-9085 extension 214.
Suspect shown at the store counter
Vehicle the suspect left in can be seen just outside the store doors
Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their second week of classes. Topics discussed included information about the department's Patrol Division and Situational Response Unit. Academy participants also heard about the department's recruiting process and how polygraphs work.
Academy participants learning about the basic duties of patrol officers
Recruiting Officer & Polygraph examiner Ken Brooks speaking to the class
Citizens Police Academy participants
The Dalton Police Department is gearing up for the Law Enforcement Torch Run in May. Money raised through the torch run will benefit Special Olympics Georgia. The organization provides year-round sports training for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The torch run is the largest statewide grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics Inc. It is held across the nation in every state and in more than 45 countries around the world. If you would like to help us raise money, you can purchase a torch run t-shirt or hat for $10 each. You can also make a monetary donation by clicking here.
Official Torch Run T-Shirt & Hat
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