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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-Annual-Report-2023ANNUAL REPORT 2 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 A Message from TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from Chief Laird Police Foundation Command Staff Police Officers 911 and Civilian Employees Promotions and Retirements Community Engagement School Resource Officers Operations Division Training Crime Report Traffic and Neighborhood Meetings Support Services Division 911 Communication Services Division Technology in Policing Office of Professional Standards Grants and Budget Specialized Units Military Awards Employee of the Year 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 Mayor George P. Bray Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson Commissioner Raynarldo Henderson Commissioner David Guess Commissioner Buz Smith CITY COMMISSION SCAN TO VIEW PAST ANNUAL REPORTS PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 3 Thank you for taking a few moments out of your day to learn more about the Paducah Police Department. Transparency is key to establishing and maintaining strong community relationships. For more than 40 years, we have been sharing information with the public by publishing our annual community involvement, training, use- of-force statistics, crime/collision rates, and much more. While many consider Paducah a “small” town, it is a much busier City than people realize. The daily population is often around 100,000 people putting us in the category of a mid-size city. We are very fortunate into our community, our crime rate remains low. Crime in a community is impactful. No matter how minor the offense, it has a negative effect on someone. We are fortunate that, since 2019, the most serious types of crime have dropped by 31 percent. There are some articles on the internet stating Paducah is one of the most dangerous cities in Kentucky, which is just not true. What these is the population increase Paducah sees on a daily basis. When you compare our crime numbers to the daily population and not the census numbers, we are doing pretty good. The majority of our crime rate is driven by retail theft, due to us being a shopping hub; not everyone who visits our City is a law-abiding citizen. We are fortunate that with everything going on here we are able to keep that small-town feeling and Paducah continues to be a safe place to visit and raise a family. Each year written goals are created for the department and shared with all of our employees. This past year Collision Reduction, Community Engagement, Personnel, and Technology. Through hard work and initiative, we were able to accomplish several of those goals, which you will read more about in the following pages. I want to take a moment and accomplishments. intensive outside review of our policies and procedures. The department has been accredited since 2004. Our focus on community interactions was a key point of focus in 2023. This was tasks was organizing 30 community meetings in various neighborhoods throughout the city. Recruitment and retention continue to be a top priority for us. On two occasions this past year, for a total of 12 weeks, we were able to achieve full for the department to achieve, given the hiring challenges law enforcement agencies across the country are having. history of the department we have 10 The last of our goals I want to mention falls in the technology category. For many years we have been working hard to upgrade an communications system in our 911 center. In late 2023, Communications International was selected as the vendor to replace our radio system. It is anticipated work will be completed and we will be using the new radio system in the Spring of 2025. As we move through 2024 one of our main goals is working towards a new police facility. Our headquarters building is more than 70 years old and was not built to be a police department. We moved here more than 25 years ago when Paducah maintenance needs are estimated at more than two million dollars. I, along with many others, do not believe we should invest that amount money in a building that still would not meet the current and future needs of a police department. This project is a top priority and something we hope to The Paducah Police Department has a long tradition of providing and its visitors. I am very proud of our it as a privilege to continue leading this agency. There is a lot going on in our community. I want you to know we are committed to keeping our community safe while providing the highest quality of service to our citizens. Please follow our social media accounts to keep up with what is going on with your police department. Thank you for taking the time to and staff work hard each day and we are proud to highlight some of their accomplishments in 2023. Please feel free to contact me at blaird@ paducahky.gov with any questions, concerns or compliments. Brian Laird, CHIEF OF POLICE THE CHIEFA Message from Mayor George P. Bray Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson Commissioner Raynarldo Henderson Commissioner David Guess Commissioner Buz Smith CITY COMMISSION participated in the Cultural Leadership Academy as part of our continued focus on employee development. The Foundation continues to play a key role in this endeavor by program. In partnership with Murray State University, Paducah enhance cultural competence for law enforcement. The social intelligence and nonverbal communication, ethical practices in the community, and community interaction and completed the Cultural Leadership Academy. foundation, you may follow their Facebook page at “Police Foundation of Paducah-McCracken County”. POLICE FOUNDATION 4 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 established in 2015, primarily focusing on aiding the police department in building stronger community partnerships, enhancing public safety, and aiding employee development. In 2023, the Foundation continued to support the Paducah “Letters to Santa” program. Students from our elementary delivered Christmas gifts to 27 students. The Foundation provided all funding for the program. In November, the Police Foundation hosted its second-largest fundraising event to fund the purchase Commander 3 XL Drone System. This drone system will assist the Police Department with collision reconstruction, search and rescue, and special event security. The Commander 3 XL is considered the “Swiss Army Knife of Drones” and can be equipped with a variety of payloads to suit the mission, including live-feed cameras, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) for collision reconstruction, and thermal infrared cameras for search missions and special events. its fundraising goal. We are pleased to share that we have already purchased drone operational in spring 2024.Board of Directors Chair-Leigh Ann Ballegeer Vice-Chair Matt Cahen Secretary-David Riley Treasurer-Tyler Kennady Penrod Cappock Josh Esper Tony Miliano Patrice Hoffman Phillip Hudson Amina Watkins Warner Wheat Jason Agee SCAN TO LEARN MORE! PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 5 COMMAND STAFF Chief of PoliceBrian Laird SergeantEric Taylor SergeantJordan Murphy SergeantCody Santel SergeantNathan JaimetSergeant Nickolas Francescon Assistant ChiefAnthony Copeland Assistant Chief Joseph Hayes Captain CaptainNathan Antonites CaptainJustin Hodges SergeantJason HicksSergeantMatt ScheerSergeantMatt HoppCaptainSteve ThompsonCaptainTravis Watson Derik PerryJosh Bryant Beau Green Chris Fearon Keith Thuline Blake Quinn AJ Parrish Corey WillenborgTravis Counts Gretchen Morgan Jarrett WoodruffDana Davie James Robbins Ryan HudsonDaniel KimballChelsee Lucas Stone Kevin Wilson Danny Slack Zane White 2023 Will HendricksonEric Abbott Cassandra Ravens Liebenrood Matt Strohmeier Brandon Cupp Benjamin Anthony Tyson Riley Logan Barrow Pedro Loredo Matthew York Noah WillettCarlos Kerley Jr.Casey Steenbergen 6 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 Rachel BertrandSamantha Taylor Jackson McCormick Michael Foster Austin Gruner Steven Lang Seth Farthing Tyree OwensBryce Steven Leady Jr. Taylor CissellJennifer Simmonds Bryan Potts Brooke Adams Andrew Prusaczyk Coy Dotson Thomas Miller Daniel Hunerkoch Dylan CookWhitworthMichael Vowell Fred Harvey Carlos CorderoThomas Shiels Julia Cross K9 Don K9 Joker K9 Bary PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 7 Kim Newlon Jon Boulton Jessica Young Robin Newberry Vicki Miller Mary Farrell CIVILIAN STAFF Amanda Fooshee Sarai Maguire-Hernandez Cierra Loyd Emily Jones Harlie Currie Kim Lauderdale Amber SpearsAriana Kitty Hillary Fowler Ryan Sallee Patrick Bugg 911 STAFF Cody Fauver Laura Peery McCall Buckingham McKenzie Dennis Stephanie Goins Sabrina Miller Taryn Reed Tara Martin Austin Scutt Sarah Lambert 8 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 9 RETIREMENTS Officer Kevin Collins joined the police department Enforcement with the last 15 spent with the Paducah Police on his future endeavors and we thank him for his time and dedication to our agency. Assistant Chief Justin Crowell joined the police department Jan. 3, 2005, at 22 years of age. He was promoted to sergeant in 2015; to captain in 2017; and to assistant chief in 2019. He established the Digital Forensics Unit and served as a crisis negotiator. He has served in and commanded both the Operations and Support Services Sergeant Nathan Jaimet has been with the police department since June 2008. He was promoted to sergeant on March 31, 2023. He has served as a detective since 2016, is SWAT team. Assistant Chief Joseph Hayes has been with the police department since August 2004. He was promoted to sergeant in 2010, to captain in 2015, and assistant chief on and as a supervisor in both divisions. He currently oversees CRT, CNT, Honor Guard, SWAT and K9, and most recently PROMOTIONS customized card. The Paducah Public Schools and Paducah Head Start/Preschool generously contributed to make winning a bicycle and helmet courtesy of the Paducah Police Department. Ellis and Kash were the the Paducah Police Baseball Cards. They worked hard to seeking them out on the street or waiting for them at roll calls. With the help of Martha Emmons at BikeWorld, both bicycles and helmets. BASEBALL CARDS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT We believe building relationships and trust with the community starts with every member of the department. However, some interactions with our community. Every interaction is an opportunity to show our commitment and desire to make a positive impact on the citizens we serve. FINAL SCORE PFD 13 - PPD 9. The Paducah Police Department and the Paducah Fire Department reunited for the community in the Battle of the Badges. Thank you to a great event! We collected 176 food items for the Family Service Society and over $50 in cash donations! BATTLE OF THE BADGES CHRISTMAS PARADE rode and walked in the 2023 City Of Paducah Christmas in our patrol vehicle. At the same time, our Honor Guard and members of the Paducah Fire Department presented the colors. The theme was Wild West, so we hitched up the covered wagon to pass out candy and spread Christmas Cheer to those watching the parade. 10 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 CHRISTMAS COPS The Paducah Police Department has participated in the Christmas Cops program for over 35 years. This year, the program assisted 43 children by presents at Walmart. The children and their families enjoyed lunch at Walker Hall and received a special visit from Santa Claus and the Grinch. Afterward, the parents went to Kroger to shop for groceries and household products. Christmas Cops is a 501c(3) program that fully funds the program through private donations. PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 11 NATIONAL FAITH AND BLUE WEEKEND In 2023, the Paducah Police Department participated in the National Faith and Blue event, the department organized several activities, including Coffee With A Cop, Community Fun Day, came together for a cup of coffee and a casual the event aimed to promote unity among the community and foster better relationships. hosted by the Paducah Housing Authority, which provided a fun and stress-free environment for and Blue Weekend. In partnership with Bethel Tabernacle Church, the department brought together 17 community groups and organizations to inform Paducah residents about available programs and services. JUNIOR CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY had 18 students participating from the surrounding area. investigations. They also observed demonstrations from the Bomb Squad, SWAT, and K-9 unit. This is a free week-long day camp for students ages Ravens at cravens@paducahky.gov. CRIME STOPPERS The Paducah Police Department is proud of their long- standing partnership with West Kentucky Crime Stoppers, and this year the department assisted the organization in restructuring the board and policies governing the organization. West Kentucky Crime Stoppers has been part of our community since 1984, and many current members of the board have been active members since members, and the Paducah Police Department dedicated Together the group put on the inaugural golf scramble for West KY Crime Stoppers, and raised enough in one tipsters remain anonymous while communicating tips to the surrounding departments. DARE is a program that has been in the Paducah Public Schools since 2011. This program is taught to all 5th-grade classes at each elementary school in the city. In to 7th-grade students. By adding the DARE program to 7th Woodruff 12 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 EXPLORERS for young adults aged 14-20 who are interested in a career in Law Enforcement. Participants should have a strong desire to learn more about policing and be willing to commit seriously since the program meets weekly. classroom work, honing their skills in patrol tactics, radio communications, defensive tactics, and report writing. to local events, such as road races, Halloween on Jefferson Street, holiday parades, and Christmas Cops. If you know someone who may be interested in Taylor at etaylor@paducahky.gov. SCAN TO LEARN MORE! CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK For nearly 15 years, the Paducah Police Department has volunteered at Paducah Christmas In The Park. Employees and their families volunteer to collect canned goods for local food pantries and community service organizations. Unity in Our Community School Resource Community event. This event encouraged the community to come and meet and greet our community helpers who make vehicle, uniform, and duty belt, and each visitor left with a bag of Paducah Police Department goodies. SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS Camp Ondesonk For the second year, Christmas Cops sponsored students to go to Camp Ondesonk during chaperoned nine students as they participated in horseback riding, archery, high ropes course, team building, nature was that the girls learned the importance of checking your bunks if a snake decides to visit your cabin. The Paducah Police Department partners with Paducah Tilghman High School. This program is in its third year security to the school, staff, and students but also develop relationships. These relationships are built through developed. West Kentucky Launch School Resource 8th graders from the surrounding areas. This event allows were able to see what it feels like to wear a vest and duty 800 students from around the region about what it takes to Paducah Police Department. Christmas Cops in July This is the second year for the Ginger Usher Christmas in July program. High to go shopping before school beginning in August. The students are paired with an clothes and shoes at Kentucky Oaks Mall. This year, this program assisted 20 students with new clothes and shoes for school. Other Outreach Programs Even during working hard to stay engaged with their students. Each go to neighborhoods and set up free books, ice cream, games, etc., to check in with the students. At least one day PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 13 OPERATIONS DIVISION The Operations Division is the most visible part of the police neighborhoods, respond to reports of crime, collisions, and calls for service, which is a 6% increase from the previous The Operations Division is also the largest division within the Paducah Police Department, consisting of an assistant other departmental functions. The division comprises three Squad, SWAT, CNT, CRT, and Honor Guard. work and dedication make the department successful. They work varying schedules and often come in on their off time to attend court, help out on a special detail, participate in a community event, or work in a specialized unit. They are active in the community and participate in father-daughter dances, character displayed in helping the community. The sergeant is a critical position within the department, to their shifts. Administration for the Operations Division consists of the assistant chief and four captains. One captain handles the overall scheduling for the division, including leave, special events, training, and overtime. Each shift also has a captain who handles the administration functions of that shift and directs day-to-day operations. The assistant chief manages the budget, oversees grants and special projects, and directs the operation of all special units and patrol shifts. Addressing Concerns of the Community community meetings in each neighborhood in Paducah. As issues were the primary source of complaints. To address these issues, the Operations Division created a two-person related issues. 14 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 TRAINING in various areas such as Firearms, Defensive Tactics, Driving, Less Lethal, Mobile Field Force (Crowd Control), CPR/First Aid, and Active Shooter. All of this training completed by the department is in addition to the 40 hours of continuing education required by law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. in Kentucky receive at least 40 hours of annual training, which New Training Formats In 2023, the department implemented changes in its training format. It moved away from the traditional eight-hour receive training during their assigned shifts. Additionally, it allows trainers to focus on fewer skills at a time, resulting in shorter training times and more frequent training sessions throughout the year. Studies indicate that shorter training times with more frequency lead to better retention for the trainee. Typically, this format involves at least two topics during switch to Defensive Tactics for the last two hours. Using shorter training times allows instructors to teach one or two techniques or topics with more repetition. It also enables trainees to switch between different topics, reducing the through the motions.” As part of skills training, the department conducts a start of their shift. These are brief 10-20 minute training sessions covering various topics, including law updates, policy reviews, K-9 utilization, and vehicle maintenance like PMAM via the PMAM platform. This platform allows the department to train multiple employees simultaneously, track their ICAT Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) scenarios through verbal communication and utilizing their environment (such as distance, time, situation, etc.) to achieve a peaceful resolution. PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 15 CRIME REPORT decrease of crime in their community. This may seem like that the community and law enforcement agency must work together to address. Many factors can drive crime, such as time, place, opportunity, access to victims, and ease of victimization. Conversely, crime can be reduced by removing or lowering factors that create opportunities for crime. The community and law enforcement must work together to address issues such as theft from vehicles and community drug complaints. Police cannot effectively reduce crime in these To reduce crime, law enforcement agencies must establish crime reduction strategies based on public trust and community partnerships. These strategies should be data and evidence-led, community-centered, and problem- interact with the public, conduct community meetings, provide citizens with information on reducing victimization, and respond to community tips and complaints. The critical ingredients for reducing crime are public trust, community partnerships, data and evidence-led strive to improve their community with integrity and the highest level of professionalism. What is the outcome of these crime reduction efforts, and how are they measured? Each year, the Paducah Police Department, as with most modern police agencies, FBI. These crime reporting numbers are divided into Part I crimes and Part II crimes. Part I crimes can generally be Non-negligent Manslaughter, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Arson, Burglary/Breaking and Entering, Larceny/ Theft, and Motor Vehicle Theft. In 2023, 932 Part 1 crimes were reported, a 2% decrease from 2022 (951 Part 1 Crimes reported in city of Paducah, as compared to one homicide in 2023. Additionally, rape decreased by 6%, with 19 reported rapes compared to 25 in 2022. Robbery decreased by 17%, with 10 reported robberies compared to 12 in 2022. An area of increase was Aggravated Assaults, which saw 12 more incidents occur. In 2023, 45 aggravated assaults were reported compared to 33 reported in 2022. of this increase was assaults on police, which had eight additional incidents. Part II crimes are misdemeanor and lesser offenses such as shoplifting, theft from vehicles, misdemeanor assaults, possession of marijuana, and forgery, to name a few. From 2022 to 2023, Part 2 crimes remained mostly stagnant (0.48% overall increase). 2,725 Part 2 crimes were reported in 2023 compared to 2,712 in 2022. The categories with the largest increases were Forgery and Counterfeiting (48% increase), Stolen Property (50% Counterfeiting increased by 12 counts, Stolen Property 30 counts. Within the category of theft, we saw a 12% increase in shoplifting. Theft from inside of vehicles remained the same, while theft of vehicle parts, such as catalytic converters, decreased by 93%. TRAFFIC REPORT 16 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 TRAFFIC REPORT Paducah is a regional shopping and work destination for those who reside in surrounding counties. The population increases during the day, especially during holidays. There are times when there are well over 100,000 people in the city. This many people navigating the roadways sometimes result in collisions, especially during inclement weather. In 2023, the department held neighborhood meetings throughout the nearly 50 neighborhoods in Paducah. The goal any comments or concerns they have. A common thread ran through the neighborhood meetings, regardless of location, with citizens raising concerns about speeding, running stop signs, and reckless driving. enforcement. Additional personnel was also used to enforcement to create safer highways. In 2023, the Paducah Police Department conducted 9,523 were 5,713 courtesy notices (Warnings) issued. This is an increase in citations (65%) and the number of courtesy notices (53%) from 2022 to 2023. When looking at the issued citations more closely, we noted several increases. The detection and arrest of impaired drivers increased by 33% (323 total agency-wide) from 2022. The number of motorists not wearing seatbelts increased by 257% (724 citations issued). Speeding citations were up 98% (674 citations issued) from 2022. Collisions In 2023, 1,801 reported collisions occurred within the city, a 1.1% (1821) decrease from the previous year. The number of injury collisions increased 9.7% from 279 in 2022 to 306 in 2023. One fatal collision occurred in 2023, down 67% from 2022. The leading cause of collisions in 2023 was distracted driving, which accounted for 47% (867) of all crashes. Distracted driving can involve several things, such as your car radio, GPS, cell phone, applying makeup, or other similar the vehicle. continue to be Hinkleville Road in front of the mall, the intersection of Lone Oak Road and I-24, the intersection of Lone Oak Road and Jackson Street, and Irvin Cobb Drive. reduce the number of collisions in these areas. Neighborhood Meetings In 2023, we successfully achieved our goal of facilitating community meetings in every neighborhood across the City. Starting in March, we partnered with local churches, schools, and businesses to host these meetings, with members of our command staff (Chief/Asst. Chief/Captain) present at Neighborhood, which has since established a neighborhood watch. By November, we had conducted 30 meetings, reaching out to 49 different neighborhoods. The number of attendees at these meetings varied, with anywhere between 4 to 40 residents participating. The primary focus of these meetings was to listen to the community members and learn more about what was occurring in their neighborhood or on their street. Some of the frequently mentioned police-related items were speeding, panhandling. Several non-police-related issues, such as lighting, trash, and stormwater/drainage, were also frequently discussed. All concerns related to non-police-related topics were shared with other City departments to help resolve the The best part about these meetings was the dialogue to many positive conversations while community members neighborhoods. a major concern for many residents. In response, we took driving, showing our commitment to resolving the issues that matter most to our residents. PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 17 SUPPORTSERVICES DIVISION Records The Records and Evidence Unit is critical for the Department and the community we serve. Have you ever been involved in an accident and needed a police report, or have been involved in a court proceeding? In that case, you have likely interacted with our records unit. The Records and Evidence Unit is responsible for every piece of physical and digital evidence in the Police 13,000 pieces of physical evidence and 561,278 pieces of digital evidence. The Unit maintains all department evidence and records according to Kentucky State standards. The State Standards dictate how long evidence should be maintained and when to release it to the public. Maintaining the integrity of this evidence is critical to facilitating prosecutorial processes. The Records and Evidence Unit is also responsible for responding to open record requests for documents and videos. As with evidence, the Department follows state laws and guidelines by which open record requests must be processed. In 2023, the Unit completed over 1,791 open records requests and 774 video requests. In 2023, the Records and Evidence Unit also completed the hiring process, adding a new records clerk, Jessica Young. Also, Evidence Technician Sabrina Miller completed her Property Association for Property and Evidence. 18 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 The Support Services Division houses multiple specialty units designed to supplement and support the Police deserves. The Division includes the Records Unit, General Investigations Unit, Drug Unit, Digital Forensics Unit, Crime Analyst, and 911 Communications Services. Although each Unit goal of carrying out the vision, goals, and mission of the Police Department in and to the community. Drug Unit The Drug Unit of the Paducah Police Department tackles drug-related issues in the city. They rely on tips from the identify and investigate drug-related crimes. The Unit has one sergeant and three detectives. In 2023, the Unit investigated more than 200 cases, resulting in charges against 107 individuals, many of whom were repeat During 2023, the Unit seized more than 150 grams of methamphetamine, and numerous miscellaneous narcotic pills. fall. These events were highly successful, and the public brought in 225 pounds of unwanted medications for safe disposal. The Unit also spends hundreds of hours working with the McCracken County Drug Court, which offers an alternative method for substance abusers in the criminal justice system.DFU In 2013, the Department began constructing an in-house electronic devices. The decision was prompted by the need evolving criminal landscape. The DFU employs one full-time training and funding from the US Secret Service. Since then, the unit has been supplemented by grants and local funding. In 2023, the unit serviced 18 agencies across Western The Paducah Police Department established the role of a crime analyst in 2015, and in the following years, they employed a part-time analyst on contract. In 2023, Sarai Maguire-Hernandez was hired as a full-time crime analyst to identify patterns and trends within crime and disorder. Crime analysis aims to address crime and harm in Paducah through data analysis and identify the causes that lead to observed disorder in the community. By understanding the root cause of the issue, we can take a more proactive approach to preventing crime. Crime analysis also helps law enforcement identify issues more rapidly, making it easier to keep the community safe. Community outreach, program planning, and research are critical components of crime analysis. Analysis can help fundamentally change and prevent problems and allow for quicker law enforcement response when issues arise. Criminalistics Detective Kevin Wilson made history in 2023 by and successfully complete the Kentucky Criminalistics Academy (KCA) at the Department of Criminal Justice Training. The KCA is a rigorous ten-week, 400-hour program that is development, digital photography, and other techniques related to evidence collection. In the second phase, students receive hands-on and practical training where they learn to map scenes using unmanned aerial platforms, identify blood spatter, reconstruct shooting incidents, process post- bomb blast sites with the help of agents from the Bureau visit the Forensic Anthropology Center in Tennessee, also cadavers in controlled outdoor scenarios. detective for processing crime scenes. He has brought processing scenes to help solve crimes. GIU The General Investigations Unit consists of 5 detectives and one sergeant investigating major cases ranging from felony theft to homicide. Detectives are responsible for responding to incidents that require an in-depth investigation 24 hours/7 days a week. Detectives receive training on investigations related to homicide, arson. Detectives have a wide range of responsibilities that include processing crime scenes and gathering evidence. They receive specialized training in evidence to help them carry out their duties effectively. In addition, detectives assist accident reconstruction members in responding to major vehicle collisions and collaborate with other law enforcement agencies to combat internet crimes. They also perform pre-employment background checks on all police, civilian, and telecommunicator applicants to ensure the safety of the community. In 2023, the GIU investigated 263 cases and conducted nine applicant background checks. Detectives closed 83% of the 263 assigned investigations, including one homicide. This clearance rate surpassed the 2022 clearance rate of 78%. Polygraph training program to become the Paducah Police his training and started conducting polygraph tests for the Paducah Police Department and other departments in the West Kentucky area. As a polygrapher, Sergeant criminal investigations. In 2023, he conducted a total of 34 polygraphs, out of which 22 were for pre-employment cases, with three major confessions coming on two investigation for a neighboring agency. PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 19 911 COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES DIVISION development, hiring, and retention. When you realize discernment and abilities of the dispatcher to connect the caller to the lifesaving services they need, it becomes clear why employee development is essential. This commitment to employee development and to levering available technology has led to the dispatchers receiving multiple awards and use of technology to save lives. What else does the center do? We also provide administrative criminal justice information Radio Project Update ten years, is still a top priority. In 2023, Communications International bid and was awarded the contract for the project. The project will replace and upgrade all of the The 911 Communications Services Division, situated at the heart of all emergency services in the Paducah, point of contact for all emergency calls, with its dedicated employees answering and coordinating responses. These professionals, equipped with advanced technology and software, gather vital information from callers in a calm and professional manner, even during traumatic incidents. They then dispatch the appropriate emergency services, ensuring emergency calls. It also dispatches for a wide range Department, Paducah Police Department, Paducah Fire Department, and multiple McCracken County Fire Departments. Additionally, it receives and screens calls for the Mercy Ambulance service, further demonstrating its integral role in the local emergency response system. The success of the 911 Communications Services Division of advanced technology. The center utilizes a range of tools to assist its dispatchers and supervisors in handling the high volume of incoming calls. These include Computer Aided Dispatching software, RapidSOS, RapidDeploy, CrewForce, Equature, and the Motorola radio system. This sophisticated 20 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 LEFT: recipient in the western part of the state. RIGHT: Telecommunicator Supervisor Patrick Bugg developed and taught a class at the Kentucky Emergency Services Conference. He talked about practical used for new technology in 911 centers and how it allows telecommunicators to help people quicker than ever before. TECHNOLOGY IN POLICING Crew Force the Paducah Police Department incorporated various Communications Services Division. Utilizing its CAD system, Central Dispatch provided mobile CAD communications to CrewForce. CrewForce allows the user to access primary while they are out of their vehicles. This added safety feature when they are away from their vehicles and need assistance. Dispatch can direct arriving emergency personnel to the a quicker response time in emergencies, contributing to the overall safety of our community. FLOCK The Paducah Police Department also looked to enforcement. The department began working with FLOCK of a crime or have been entered as stolen. The cameras also investigation into a wanted individual. The cameras are placed on either end of the city in two of our largest and busiest of 2023, the cameras have averaged 200,000 plate reads a month, with at least 80,000 being unique and not duplicate vehicles, vehicles tied to theft rings across the country, and wanted individuals. We assure the community that these cameras are used strictly for law enforcement purposes, and all data is handled with utmost respect for privacy and Drone In December 2023, the department added a small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) or drone to its technological toolbelt. This addition was only made possible by the hard work of the Police Foundation and the many donors within the community. The sUAS equipment and associated technology will camera, along with the related software, can be used to create 3D scene modeling that is accurate to the centimeter. These capabilities will cut scene processing time in half and will also aid in outdoor crime scene investigation and documentation. In addition to CRT, this technology can support patrol operations. The infrared camera can be used for search and rescue operations and for locating missing persons. The PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 21 OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS include a wide variety of functions within the department. It conducts and reviews internal affairs investigations and complaints, monitors the use of force incidents, manages department grants, contributes to the permitting process for special events for the city, manages department policy, serves as the department representative for Homeland Security activities, and monitors training to ensure compliance with state manages special projects assigned by the Chief of Police. Response to Resistance Response to Resistance reports the force used by an This process begins when the suspect is brought into custody. The on-duty supervisor responds to the scene the suspect. These reports are submitted through a multi-level evaluation process. In each case, the Chief of Police makes service, of which 97 incidents involved the use of force less than 0.19% of all police encounters in 2023. These incidents were subject to an objective and thorough review process, and each was deemed an appropriate what is referred to as soft empty hand techniques (64 incidents). Soft empty hand techniques typically involve some type of wrist or arm lock to hold a resisting suspect. hand technique. This technique can consist of a strike with a hand or knee. In most cases, it consists of an lethal” force options. These options include OC Spray (pepper spray), Taser, baton, impact munitions (bean bag), Pepperball, K-9, and Bola Wrap restraint devices. In 2023, there was one instance where OC was used, seven instances involving the use of a Taser, and one instance involving the use of bean bags to gain control of a suspect. instances, the suspects were armed with knives or edged weapons. In all 57 of the incidents, the suspect was As previously stated, the health of the suspect and incidents, only four were where a suspect complained of injury. In each of these cases and situations, a Taser was utilized, and a medical professional evaluated the suspect. 22 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 accreditation from the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police. The Department has maintained accreditation for 20 Complaints Receiving feedback is a critical step in providing quality service to our community. Members of the community can provide that feedback through email, phone, or in person. A supervisor then investigates the information. Once the investigation is complete, it is routed through the chain of command for review and quality assurance. In each case, In 2023, there were 24 complaints in total. Nine were agency. Out of the complaints, 16 were internal, meaning observed some sort of issue. Out of the 24 complaints, 16 were sustained. In 9 cases, the allegation was either In cases where the allegation is sustained, the goal is not 2023 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET Operations Division $8,754,819 Support Services Division $2,823,079 Administrative Division $1,560,516 School Resource $335,143 Total Budget$13,473,557 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 23 Special Projects City-Wide Camera Project, the rollout of our of a Drone for the Paducah Police Department Drone Unit. The City-Wide Camera Project included cameras from various buildings in the city, all Professional Standards partnered with the Paducah City IT department, various contractors, and the City Planning Department to develop a cameras, and future planning for more cameras. In doing so, the Downtown cameras, Parks cameras, City Hall cameras, and the Paducah Police Department cameras can be accessed future looks to add every city-owned government building to the system. their everyday activities. The Paducah Police cameras since 2015. The department upgraded to the Body Cam 4 series camera this year. The and lens for capturing audio and video, and each camera is equipped with a GPS unit. This feature calls. As with CrewForce, this provides another they are assisting. The immediate effectiveness of the location feature was seen shortly after implementation during a disturbance from a local business that also turned into a foot pursuit and the map. Finally, the Paducah Police Department partnered with the Police Foundation of Paducah- McCracken County to fund the purchase of a Small Unmanned Aircraft (Drone). The foundation hosted its annual fundraiser with over 100 attendees and met its goal of funding the goal and is also paying for training 10 Paducah Bomb Squad The Paducah Police Department bomb squad is a regional team responsible for the 13 westernmost counties technicians by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). They undergo around 240 hours of yearly training, In 2023, the squad was activated ten times, covering situations related to suspicious packages, commercial incident. The squad also participated in the Ravens Challenge they worked through challenging scenarios to build each Apart from callouts and training, the squad had the pleasure to see one of its members graduate from the FBI Hazardous Devices School. Detective Casey Steenbergen as electronics, render safe procedures, and robot operations. CRT The Collision Reconstruction Team (CRT) is responsible for investigating major collisions that result in death or severe injury. The team members are highly trained in mathematics, physics, kinematics, and damage causation assessment. They use specialized equipment to document and measure the collision scenes thoroughly. This documentation helps determine the factors that contributed to the accident, which in turn establishes the cause. In 2023, the CRT was activated four times. SPECIALIZED UNITS The specialized units of the Paducah Police Department for. These units include the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, Bomb Squad, Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT), Collision Reconstruction Team (CRT), Honor Guard, and K-9. SWAT The SWAT team of the Paducah Police Department is responsible for responding to high-risk situations that pose a threat to public safety. These situations include hostage situations, barricaded suspects, and other dangerous encounters. The team receives specialized tactical training and is equipped with the necessary gear to manage these scenarios and minimize the risks to everyone involved. department as a whole. Members of the SWAT team often assist patrol and detectives in planning search and arrest warrants, even if they are not called upon to activate. Many of the also work alongside their to teach them the tactics learned. Some SWAT members are active shooter Despite not being activated in 2023, the SWAT team continued to prepare for when it is needed. They conducted over 240 hours of yearly training, and two members attended and graduated from the basic SWAT course run by the state association. CNT The Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) is a unit that handles incidents involving barricaded subjects, hostage situations, peaceful resolution to potentially volatile situations through communication. In the year 2023, the CNT welcomed However, the unit was not activated that year. 24 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 Honor Guard The Paducah Police Department Honor Guard represented the department in 2023 by honoring fallen law various events. The team traveled to Scott County, KY, to show the sheriff killed in the line of duty. They presented the colors at Awards Ceremony. the line of duty in the 1800s and early 1900s. The Honor Guard represented the department at the Supporting Heroes gala held in Owensboro. In December, the Honor Guard led the annual Paducah Christmas Parade. The team is looking forward to representing the department, and is planning on adding new members, in 2024. Unmanned Aerial System successfully incorporate a small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS), also known as a drone, in December 2023. This feat was only possible due to the hard work of the Police Foundation and the generous donors in our community. The sUAS equipment and its associated technology will The camera, along with the software, allows for accurate 3D scene modeling up to the centimeter, reducing scene processing time by half. This technology will also be documentation. Aside from CRT, this technology can support our patrol operations. The infrared camera can be used for search and rescue missions, as well as locating missing persons. In some cases, it can also aid in identifying suspects hiding in wooded areas. These are just a few of the many future K-9 The Paducah Police Department has three K-9 teams that consist of a handler and a canine. They are the only full-time specialized units in the department and are spread across all of time together, living, working, and training together. This year, the handlers have logged over 800 hours of individual training with their partners. To get a better understanding of their work, each handler was asked about the most memorable event from the past two memorable events. In January of 2023, K-9 Don was utilized to apprehend a suspect wanted on rape charges, and in December, he was utilized to apprehend an attempted murder suspect. 2023. Bary indicated the presence of illegal narcotics, leading to the seizure of two and a half pounds of methamphetamine, fraudulent checks, a handgun, ammunition, and other drugs off the street. Hendrickson is the handler for K-9 Joker. He enjoys participating in various community events throughout the year. During these events, and K-9 Joker showcase their skills and interact PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 25 Deployed cer In N Europe. He left the department on orders on November 1st, return until late 2024. The Paducah Police Department has an active program to recruit veterans who are interested in serving our community. This program is done in collaboration with the Military, the Department of Defense (DOD), the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT), and the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC). The program is called “M2-LE” (Military to Law Enforcement) and was initiated by the KLEC. It uses prepare for a career in law enforcement. This is done by providing soon-to-be-separated service members up to 180 days while still on active duty to attend the police academy and receive the training service members can seamlessly transition to becoming employees of the Paducah Police Department. Assistant Chief Joe Hayes, Marine Corps Captain Chris Baxter, Navy Captain Nathan Antonites, Army Sergeant Matt Hopp, Navy Navy Army Army Army Air Force Army Air Force Army Army Army Marine Corps Army Marine Corps Army Army Army Army Army Army Army Army Air Force The Paducah Police Department currently employs 26 United States Armed Forces veterans. Some of these veterans still serve in the National Guard or Reserves. We want to take a moment to recognize those who served their country OUR VETERANS Veteran’s Day Parade The Paducah Police Department was proud to take part in the both divisions and all three shifts in attendance. We would also for their efforts in organizing not only the parade but also all the 26 PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 SCAN TO LEARN MORE! AWARDS CITIZEN SERVICE AWARDS · Joe Pat Oakley · Dan Key · Alicia DeMichele · Christy Hayden · Christian Holbrook · Terry Layton 5-YEAR SAFE DRIVING AWARD · Detective Ryan Hudson · Detective Kevin Wilson 15-YEAR SAFE DRIVING AWARD · Sergeant Matthew Scheer · Sergeant Jason Hicks ADMINISTRATIVE AWARD SERVICE COMMENDATIONS · Taryn Reed · Mackenzie McDonald · Auston Scutt (3rd) · Sergeant Jordan Murphy (4th) · Sergeant Nathan Jaimet (9th) · Sarah Lambert · Vicki Miller (3rd) · Detective Dylan Cook (4th) · Captain Steve Thompson (4th) · Sergeant Jason Hicks (5th) · Sergeant Eric Taylor (4th) · Sergeant Nathan Jaimet (10th) · Detective Corey Willenborg (10th) · Detective Beau Green (8th) · Detective Ryan Hudson (7th) · Detective Danny Slack (4th) · Detective Dylan Cook (5th) CHIEF’S AWARDS · Patrick Bugg · Sergeant Nathan Jaimet (2nd) LIFESAVING AWARDS · Emilee Jones · Kimberly Lauderdale · Sergeant Jordan Murphy (2nd) · Kimberly Lauderdale (2nd) MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARDS PADUCAH POLICE ANNUAL REPORT 2023 27 Dan Key and Joe Pat Oakley received a Citizen Service Award. Patrick Bugg received a Chief’s Award. Vicki Miller received her third Service Commendation. AJ Parrish received his second Meritorious Service Award. EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR OFFICER JAMES ROBBINS a young mother with a broken-down vehicle. He followed Robbins intervened, contacted local resources, and arranged for a mechanic to respond to replace a belt. He also arranged medical attention for the overheated Robbins stayed in contact with the young woman to make sure she returned home safely to Illinois. On another occasion, following Robbins checked in with the husband of the deceased to see how he was doing. Community Oriented Policing. he is a “go-to” for professional and personal advice and guidance in times of need. He enjoys the fun parts of the job but also understands the less-than-desirable parts of the job as well. He does all this while remaining humble and approachable, coming to work daily with a positive attitude, and setting an Employee of the Year award for 2023. He epitomizes the old-school patrol/beat cop. He does proactive police work, responds to dispatched calls, invests in his agency, and develops community relationships on multiple levels. His towards his job has never waned. This is the concluding statement from one of two nominations the Year Award. regarded as a model public servant who has demonstrated outstanding devotion to his profession and the community he serves. Despite Robbins has chosen to continue working at a high level due to his passion for the job. He stands out due to his work ethic, dedication, and compassion towards others. leader in the department, and he challenging situations in police work without asking for recognition. He is always willing to offer advice or guidance and always does so to his wife and daughter and is an active church member. In went above and beyond his assigned duties to help people in the community. During the hottest stretch of summer, he stopped to assist “Jim is a model of the term “public servant,” His work ethic serves as an example to other officers, and his attitude toward his job has never waned. He is what the Employee of the Year award is all about.” Paducah Police Department • paducahky.gov/police-department Follow us on Facebook