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City of Paducah's
Elected Officials
Mayor Bill Paxton
Commissioners
Richard Abraham
Gayle Kaler
Gerald Watkins
C''
2010 Annual Report Index
3
Assistant Chiefs' Reports
23
Drug Report
5
A New Look
25
Use of Force
6
Employee of the Year
27
Investigations
7
Command Staff
28
Community
8
Accreditation
29
Professional Standards
9
Our People
30
Citizens' Police Academy
11
A Story of Survival y
31
Education and Leadership
12
Our Veterans -
32
Evidence Report
13
Awards ! f
33
SWAT Team
15
Policing in America_
34
Bomb Squad
16
Mental Illness
35
Crisis Negotiators
17
Crime Report
36
Patrol
19
Traffic Report
37
Remembering a Chief
21
Fatal Collisions
38
History
22
Driver's Training
Copyrighted: 2011, Paducah Police Department, City of Paducah
Edited by: Captain David White & Robin Newberry
Photos by: Captain David White, Sgt. George Johnson, or Robin Newberry,
except where cited or provided by other City of Paducah Departments.
Copyrighted photos used with permission.
To
1
To the Citizens of Paducah,
The Paducah Police Department was very successful in 2010 relative to crime
reduction, clearance rates and the development of several programs and initiatives to
enhance productivity and overall efficiency.
The crime rate in 2010 was 16 percent less than in 2009. In addition, in 2010,
the 1,314 reported Part One crimes was the lowest number ever recorded by the depart-
ment. This reduction in crime was the result of a two-pronged approach — proactive and
reactive — in conjunction with a strong commitment to community policing and problem -
oriented policing. The strategies included more directed patrols by Operations units, with
emphasis on enforcement in "hot spots" predicated on intelligence -based policing dic-
tated by Compstat statistical analysis of crime trends.
There also was more focus on crime reduction by traffic enforcement. This
strategy reduced the number of accidents to 1,621, down from 1,688 in 2009.
The more than 70 percent clearance rate by our investigators is one of the highest
in the country. This was the result of hard work by the detectives in conjunction with
better relationships and sharing of information with Operations units.
Proactively, programs like 3 -on -3 Basketball were initiated by the department to
formulate a better relationship with youth in the community. The emphasis for officers is
to get out in the community more to work with youth before they become products of the
criminal justice system.
Finally, there is renewed interest in technological advances to enhance overall
efficiency. In 2010, video Roll Call was initiated in the Operations Division. The Depart-
ment continued purchasing new digital in -car video systems, and the Kentucky League of
Cities began long distance learning utilizing Paducah police officers as part of a pilot
program.
All uniformed officers and detectives were issued Tasers in 2010, which has
reduced injuries to officers and citizens. Additionally, complaints against officers have
decreased.
With the advent of 2011, the Paducah Police Department will continue to provide
high-quality services to its citizens by focusing on hiring and training the best officers in
the business. We also will be committed to obtaining the top technological advances and
innovations in the field to aid us in being the best police department in the state and one of
the best in America.
r
James O. Berry, Chief
Biography:
Chief Berry has more than 34 years
experience in policing and was sworn in as
Chief of the Paducah Police Department in
August of 2009.
Berry served nearly 25 years in Hartford,
Connecticut, rising from the rank of patrol
officer to the number two position of assis-
tant chief. In 2000, he was recruited to
take over security for the City of Hart-
ford school system and served as chief of
security for two years. In December
2001, Berry became Chief of Police of
Trumbull, Connecticut. In March 2004, he
became Chief of Policeof Manchester,
Connecticut. In July 2009, Berry retired
from the Manchester Police Department
but decided to continue his police career in
Paducah.
Chief Berry's education includes an Associ-
ate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Mid-
dlesex Community Technical College, a
Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a
minor in Business from Eastern Connecti-
cut State University, and Graduate Certifi-
cation in Homeland Security Management
from St. Joseph College Graduate Pro-
gram. Chief Berry is a member of interna-
tional Association of Chiefs of Police, Police
Executive Research Forum, National Or-
ganization for Black Law Enforcement,
National Sheriffs Association, FBI Law Exec-
utive Development Association, Interna-
tional Counterterrorism Officers Associa-
tion, and a 2007-2008 member of Who's
Who in Justice Administration in America.
He also has testified before Con-
gress on matters of homeland secu-
rity, and in 1991, he worked with
Harvard University's Kennedy
School of Government on a think
tank, discussing Community Polic-
ing, which he heavily supports.
Assistant Chief's Report:
Operations Division
Brandon Barnhill, Assistant Chief
//Write to Assistant Chief Barnhill bbarnhill@ci.paducah.ky.us
Biography:
The Operations Division is comprised of 62 officers and supervisors and three civilian sup -
Barnhill has more than 15
port staff. It often is called the backbone of the department because it is responsible for
years of law enforcement ex-
providing uniformed patrol services to the city 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In 2010,
perience, and he currently
the department received 43,707 calls for service, and the majority of those calls were an -
serves as the Assistant Chief of
swered by patrol officers.
the Operations Division. He
The Operations Division has several major components: uniformed patrol, K-9, Special
has a Master's Degree in Crimi-
Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Bomb Squad, Collision Reconstruction Investigations, Cri-
nal Justice from Andrew Jack-
sis Negotiations Team, Bicycle Patrol, Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT),
son University, a Bachelor's
and school crossing guards.
Degree in Independent Studies
The department has three patrol shifts, each commanded by a captain, that provide a full
from Murray State University,
range of emergency and non -emergency services to the residents and visitors of Paducah.
and he is a graduate of the
Within each shift are K-9 teams, which are used in a variety of situations, including drug
Southern Police Institute's
detection, building searches, human tracking, and crowd control.
Administrative Officers Course,
As an alternative to patrolling in a car, we often utilize bicycle patrols to cover special
as well as the Chief Executive
events, or particular neighborhoods. These officers are trained to provide quick response to
Leadership Course. He also is a
requests for service in areas where motor vehicles are either unusable or ineffective at
graduate of the Criminal Jus-
deterring crime.
lice Executive Development
program and the Academy of
The SWAT team is specially trained to handle high risk services and have the ability to
Police Supervision. He has 10
resolve major incidents with minimal use of force, personal injury, and property damage.
The Bomb Squad responds to and evaluates incidents involving known or suspected explo-
years of supervisory experi-
sives, suspicious packages, hazardous chemicals or improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
e, and was formally pro
Because much of the funding for the Bomb Squad comes through federal and state grants
mo ted to Ass sistant Chief on
and there are only five squads in the state of Kentucky, our unit helps cover a 13 -county
January 26, 2011. He is a mem-
area of western Kentucky. In addition to these two specialties, the Crisis Negotiation Team
ber of the International Associ-
is trained to handle situations involving hostages, barricaded subjects, and other situations
ation of Chiefs of Police, the
relating to mentally unstable subjects.
Kentucky Association of Chiefs
of Police, and he is an adjunct
The professionalism and high standards of conduct displayed by our officers, both in
uniform patrol and in specialized assignments, proudly reflect their true interest in helping
professor of criminal justice at
the community and fulfilling our mission.
West Kentucky Community
and Technical College.
Assistant Chief's Report:
Support Services Division
Stacey Grimes, Assistant Chief
//Write to Assistant Chief Grimes sgrimes@ci.paducah.ky.us
In January 2010, the Paducah Police Department's Records and Evidence Unit was combined
with General Investigations and the Drug and Vice Unit to create the Support Services Division.
The Records and Evidence Unit is staffed by a records manager, one evidence technician, one
evidence clerk, and two clerical assistants. They are responsible for the storage and retrieval of
all records and provide courteous service to each citizen entering our lobby. In 2010, the Rec-
ords Unit processed more than 660 case files, 2,000 warrants, and 10,000 traffic and criminal
citations. In addition, our Records staff completes fingerprint cards for background investiga-
tions, completes payroll and answers thousands of phone calls and lobby contacts.
The Evidence Unit is responsible for the security and accountability of all property and evidence
seized by our sworn officers. In 2010, Evidence Technician Tracy Lynch took in 2,258 items of
evidence and more than 300 VHS and DVD video files were copied for criminal cases. A full
audit was conducted in the main evidence room in July 2010, and all items were accounted for.
Fourteen clerical errors were discovered and corrected, which resulted in a .001 percent margin
of error.
The Drug and Vice Enforcement Unit (DAVE) is staffed by one sergeant, four detectives and one
secretary. Their primary focus is the seizure of narcotics and the forfeiture of assets belonging
to drug traffickers. In 2010, the DAVE Unit continued to partner with other agencies by
assigning Detective Nathan Young to the Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement Special
Investigations Task Force. In addition, Detective Matt Wentworth continued our task force
relationship with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in our fight to remove guns and
drugs from the streets of Paducah. In 2010, the DAVE unit initiated 292 investigations, seizing
1,996.5 grams of cocaine, 14 pounds of marijuana, 14 marijuana plants and 22 grams of
methamphetamine.
The General Investigations Unit is staffed by one captain, one sergeant, five detectives, one in-
vestigative assistant, and one clerical specialist. The unit's primary responsibility is investigat-
ing serious crimes against persons. Our detectives cleared an astonishing 72 percent of the 322
cases assigned in 2010. A few significant highlights include Detective Mike Wentworth's investi-
gation and arrests of ten individuals for crimes while he was assigned as our Internet Crimes
Against Children detective; and Detective Anthony Copeland's investigation that garnered a
conviction and 20 -year sentence for the theft of more than $38,000 worth of copper wire and
$600,000 in damage to locomotives at VMV Enterprise.
It was a productive and successful year for the Support Services Division and we look forward to
the continued goal of improving the quality of service to our community and making Paducah a
safe place to live, work, and visit.
Biography:
Assistant Chief Grimes began
his career with the Paducah
Police Department in 1994. He
was promoted to Assistant
Chief in 2005 and led the Op-
erations Division until January
2010, when he transferred to
the Support Services Division.
He has a Bachelor's Degree in
Criminal Justice from Illinois
State University and Master's
Degree in Law and Public Poli-
cy from California University of
Pennsylvania. He is a graduate
of the Southern Police Insti-
tute's Administrative Officers
Course and the FBI Law En-
forcement Development Semi-
nar. He also is a graduate of
the Criminal Justice Executive
Development program and FBI
Command Institute. He is a
member of the International
Association of Chiefs of Police,
the Kentucky Association of
Chiefs of Police, Paducah Lions
Club, and a past president of
the Jackson Purchase Fraternal
Order of Police, Lodge #15.
,�pA➢ac
n 2010, our department began the process of changing the strip-
ing pattern on our cruisers and we made a couple of changes to
our uniforms. The striping pattern had not changed significantly for
many years. Under Chief Randy Bratton (2001-2008), color was
added to the existing emblem, which also is our patch, and the words
"Police and Community Partnership" were added. However, the new
pattern takes on a whole new look.
A committee was formed in November 2009 to look at different op-
tions and ultimately the new design (featured above) was adopted.
We wanted a new graphic design that would present, "a more cutting
edge professional image," Assistant Chief Brandon Barnhill says.
The department feels the committee accomplished that task. Chief
Berry said, "I wanted to empower the officers to take ownership, and
I'm proud of the new design."
0101 16FAM 10W412 go
As for the uniforms, a committee decided to adopt a blue
stripe down each pant leg for officers, and a blue and gold
stripe for supervisors. Additionally, they decided to wear
our department patch on both shoulders of the uniform
shirt, rather than an American flag on one shoulder.
Though we honor the American flag, the committee
thought it was better to have the department's patch on
both shoulders so officers were more easily recognizable
as PPD officers. Barnhill says the committee came up
with the changes, but stayed true to tradition and history.
"These changes were very important to the department
and personnel during a time of transition," Barnhill said.
"We are thankful for the committee's work and are very
pleased with the changes," Chief Berry said.
Our patch is a symbol of our department and we are very
proud of its unique quality. We often are asked about it, and it
was featured in the October 2010 edition of the FBI Law En-
forcement Bulletin magazine, published by the Department
of Justice.
Our patch honors Paducah, and the Native American Indians that first inhabited the
land in this region. It is modeled after the statue (left), which was sculpted by Lorado
Taft in 1909. Taft was a rather famous sculptor from that time period, and has many
works that still are displayed throughout the United States. According to the historical
marker, Taft "combined features of various Indian tribes in its execution." The statue
sits proudly in the 1900 block of Jefferson Street in Paducah.
•
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•iTL:_I :_=•
Officer Linda Hodgson was nominated for Employee of
the Year by Officer Melissa Dillon. In the nomination,
Officer Dillon and Assistant Chief Brandon Barnhill high-
lighted several reasons why they felt that Officer Hodgson
was deserving of the award—
Officer Hodgson helps facilitate the Christmas Cops
program by taking and screening the assistance applica-
tions each year, and she is instrumental in making sure
the program is a success.
♦ Officer Hodgson was instrumental in organizing the PPD
Support Fund, a non-profit 501c 3, created by members
of the PPD to support one another in times of crisis, and
Officer Hodgson currently serves as Chairperson of the
fund.
♦ Officer Hodgson participates in the Lunch Buddy
Program at Morgan Elementary School and has recruited
several other officers to also participate. An article in the
May 2006 edition of Instructor Magazine said, "...new
research from the University of Arkansas shows that a
volunteer lunchtime mentor can help a child get back on
track. When children are met for weekly lunches with a
`lunch buddy,' teachers reported more smiles and better
behavior."
♦ In October of 2010, while on a dispatched call Officer
Hodgson found a caretaker was financially unable to
provide Halloween costumes for three children. Officer
Hodgson later returned with costumes she purchased
with her own money, which allowed the children to go
trick -or -treating.
J
♦ Officer Hodgson was instrumental in the planning and
preparation of the FOP's golf scramble, which raised
nearly $14,000 for the local FOP to provide scholarships
and support other local charities, including the annual
Christmas Cops program.
♦ Officer Hodgson received numerous positive comments
from citizens throughout 2010.
♦ Officer Hodgson volunteers to help monitor the sex
offender registry, and she conducts investigations and
takes appropriate action for offenders who violate regis-
tration requirements.
♦ Officer Hodgson volunteers for other special details and
assignments, such as helping with the DEA Drug Take -
back Program in September 2010.
♦ Officer Hodgson shows tenacity and determination in her
investigations and daily responsibilities while patrolling
the streets, and is one of the most active officers on her
patrol shift.
For these reasons Chief James Berry was happy to recognize
Officer Hodgson as the 2010 Employee of the Year. "Officer
Hodgson exemplifies everything we're looking for in a
department that focuses on community -oriented policing, and
I'm really proud of her performance," Berry said.
6
Captain Don Hodgson is the Op-
erations Second Shift Commander. He
has 16 years of law enforcement experi-
ence, eight of which as a patrol supervi-
sor. He has a Bachelor's Degree in
Criminal Justice from Southern Ver-
mont College, and he is a graduate of
the Academy of Police Supervision at
the Department of Criminal Justice
Training.
Captain Mark Roberts serves as
the Administrative Captain of Opera-
tions. He has 23 years of law enforce-
ment experience, with 10 years as a su-
pervisor. He is a graduate of the Acade-
my of Police Supervision and the Crimi-
nal Justice Executive Development pro-
gram, and he is a KLEC certified in-
structor. He has a Bachelor's Degree
from Murray State University and an
A.S. Degree in Emergency Medicine.
Captain Shawn Maxie finished
2010 as Operations First Shift Command-
er. He has more than 16 years of law en-
forcement experience, with 11 years as a
patrol supervisor. He is a graduate of the
Academy of Police Supervision, the
Criminal Justice Executive Development
program, as well as the School of Strate-
gic Leadership. He has a Bachelor's De-
gree in Criminal Justice from Murray
State University, and has completed some
post -graduate work in Organizational
Communication.
1 0 0
IPADUCAH .
POt LICE1
Captain Brian Krueger leads the
Professional Standards Unit. He has a
B.S. degree in Business Management
from Mid -Continent University and five
years of service in the U.S. Marine
Corp. He is a graduate of the FBI Na-
tional Academy, Chief Executive Lead-
ership Course at SPI, the Criminal Jus-
tice Executive Development program
and the Academy of Police Supervision.
He has a total of 12 years experience,
with six as a supervisor.
Captain David White serves as
Captain of Support Services Division.
He has 11 years of experience, with
four years as a supervisor. He has a
Bachelor's Degree in Police Admin-
istration from Eastern Kentucky Uni-
versity, and a Master's Degree in Jus-
tice Administration from Norwich Uni-
versity. He is a graduate of the Acade-
my of Police Supervision.
Captain Jason Merrick served as
an Acting Captain in Operations in 2010,
finishing the year as the Third Shift
Commander. On January 27, 2011, he
was formally promoted to captain. He
has 16 total years of law enforcement
experience, with eight years as a supervi-
sor. He is a graduate of the Academy of
Police Supervision, and he is a U.S.
Navy veteran, serving aboard the USS
Nashville, and completing a deployment
to the Persian Gulf in 1991-1992.
IS A BEHAVIOR, NOT A POSITION.
ACCREDITED LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCY
Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police
The Paducah Police Department again
achieved the accreditation seal of the
Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police
(KACP) in 2009. The PPD has been accredited
for six years, and is one of about 77 KACP ac-
credited police and sheriff's organizations state-
wide.
According to the KACP, the accreditation pro-
cess "reflects that the agency was carefully
measured against an established set of standards
and has met or exceeded professionally accepted
practices in law enforcement."' It also means
that we get an annual discount of about 10 per-
cent from our insurance provider, which saves
the city approximately $7,800 per year.
Mike Bischoff, Executive Director of the KACP
says, "throughout the (accreditation) assessment
the staff of the Paducah Police Department
extended excellent cooperation to the assessor
team in a manner consistent with the principles
that guide their community and professional
relationships. Reflecting on their proofs of
compliance, and our observations of the agency,
the team concluded unanimously that the
department had achieved compliance with the
applicable standards established by the
Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police
Accreditation Program.
ra
.'PADUCAH .
POLICE
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Paducah Police Department is based on a philoso-
phy of Professionalism, Respect, Accountability, Integrity and Com-
munication as we strive for excellence and continuous improvement.
We shall serve and protect all the citizens fairly and equally as we
build a strong partnership with the community.
PROFESSIONALISM
We will be professional in our daily performances within the Depart-
ment, its members, and to the community we proudly serve.
RESPECT
We will treat citizens and co-workers with respect, regardless of the
degree of respect we receive.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We will be held accountable for our actions, our behavior, and our
performances by the Department, its members, and the community
we proudly serve.
COMMUNICATION
We will communicate effectively and courteously with our co-
workers and with the members of the community we proudly serve.
1. Retrieved on 2/25/11 from: www.kypolicechiefs.org
8
Sgt. George Johnson
Sgt. Will Gilbert
Sgt. Brian Laird
Sgt. Wes Kimbler
Sgt. Steve Smith
Sgt. Rob Hefner
Sgt. Kevin Neal
Sgt. Joe Hayes
Sgt. Wes Orazine
W. Rene Long
Rob Estes
Brent Obermark
John Tolliver
Michael Simak
Brian Kopischke
Nathan Young
Paul Stevenson
Cindy Neihoff
Scotty Davis
James Davis
Matt Wentworth
Travis Counts
Jason Montgomery
Michael Wentworth
Justin Canup
Matt Smith
Michael Redmon
Melissa Dillon
Linda Hodgson
Gretchen Morgan
Dana Davie
James Robbins
Troy Turner
Justin Rundles
Lofton Rowley
Justin Crowell
Patrick Clark
Jarrett Woodruff
Anthony Hughes
Chris Baxter
Chris Bolton
Anthony Copeland
Michael Rigdon
Corey Willenborg
Chris Hardison
Kevin Crider
Ryan Conn
Tim Hopkins
I I
Josh Bryant
Beau Green
Nathan Antonites
Matt Reed
Nathan Jaimet
Jason Hicks
Chris Fearon
Keith Thuline
Kevin Collins
Trevor Youngblood
Derik Perry
Matt Scheer
Evan Cowan
Glenn Pritchard
Justin Hodges
Shawn Craven
Steven Thompson
Austin Guill
David Carroll
Travis Watson
Robin Newberry
Jan Saxon
Malinda Baltz
Lourdes Morrison
Vicki Miller
Connie Waldridge
Myra Reid
Christie Hughes
Dickie Powers
Melissa Green
Tracy Lynch
Lilia Rivera
Leigh Shanks
Art Martinez
Our K-9 Teams
Ronny,
Handler Sgt. Rob Hefner
Fox,
Handler Lofton Rowley
Bikkel,
Handler Michael Simak
10
r�1
Josh Bryant
Beau Green
Nathan Antonites
Matt Reed
Nathan Jaimet
Jason Hicks
Chris Fearon
Keith Thuline
Kevin Collins
Trevor Youngblood
Derik Perry
Matt Scheer
Evan Cowan
Glenn Pritchard
Justin Hodges
Shawn Craven
Steven Thompson
Austin Guill
David Carroll
Travis Watson
Robin Newberry
Jan Saxon
Malinda Baltz
Lourdes Morrison
Vicki Miller
Connie Waldridge
Myra Reid
Christie Hughes
Dickie Powers
Melissa Green
Tracy Lynch
Lilia Rivera
Leigh Shanks
Art Martinez
Our K-9 Teams
Ronny,
Handler Sgt. Rob Hefner
Fox,
Handler Lofton Rowley
Bikkel,
Handler Michael Simak
10
In the early morning hours of April 12, 2010, Officer Rene Long, a 19 -year
veteran of the Paducah Police Department, was at his home getting ready for
his patrol shift just like he had done so many times before, when he started hav-
ing chest pains. "I was going to come in to work but when I made it out to my
car it got so bad I knew I was going to have to go the hospital," he said. Little
did he know at the time that he had two severely blocked arteries.
Long was hospitalized and had double bypass heart surgery two days later. Fol-
lowing the procedure, Long had complications and spent three weeks uncon-
scious, on a ventilator, in intensive care. His kidneys and liver stopped fimction-
ing and he was put on dialysis.
He remained in the hospital for 45 days, his wife and friends at his side. Miracu-
lously, his condition improved, his organs started working again, and he began
to regain his strength. Long got to return home around Memorial Day, and start-
ed the rehabilitation process.
By July 14, 2010, Long was able to return to the department for light duty, and
was assigned to the Records & Evidence Unit, where he assisted with taking
walk-in reports and other administrative tasks. He stayed there for three months
and continued to do rehab until he got his strength back.
On October 14, 2010, Long passed the fit -for -duty test, and doctor cleared him
to work the streets once again. "I wanted to show folks that even if you go
through something as traumatic as open heart surgery, you can still go on with
life, and passing the fit -for -duty test showed me I could do that, too," Long said.
"It made me feel good to get to come back to the street," Long said about resum-
ing his position as a patrol officer. Although he has had several assignments
over the years, Long has spent the majority of his time as a patrol officer. He is
currently the most senior officer at the PPD.
As for how the whole thing impacted his life, Long says, "the whole ordeal was
a life changing experience. I enjoy the job and I'll always be a police officer in
my heart. I don't know when, but I will retire someday in the near future."
"This job is inherently stressful, and the physical and mental stress an officer
undergoes can be critical," "I'm glad Officer Long had the mental fortitude to
survive, and I'm really glad he was able to return to the streets, " said Chief
James Berry.
A Story
Sergeant Kevin Neal is one of 27 veterans at the Paducah Chief Berry says he's proud of all the veterans, especially those
Police Department, and he spent most of 2010 deployed with the still serving in the National Guard and military Reserves.
United States Marine Corps in Iraq.
Sergeant Neal, also a Marine Gunnery Sergeant
with the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, H&S
Company, sniper platoon, deployed in May of
2009, and after several months of training state-
side, he served six months overseas in Iraq. His
unit was essentially the last Marine Battalion in Iraq and stayed
through the local elections, helping with the final transition. Neal
returned to work in June of 2010.
This marked Neal's third deployment since the war began in 2001.
His first deployment to Iraq was January 2004 to November 2004.
He returned in June 2006, staying through May 2007, serving in
combat operations in Fallujah. After 19 years of service, Neal says,
"I hope to keep my feet on American soil and retire in the next cou-
ple of years."
A Marshall County resident, Neal served on active duty with the
Marine Corps before joining the PPD in July 1999. He was promot-
ed to sergeant in November 2010 and he currently serves as a Se-
cond Shift supervisor.
"These guys play a dual role. They're a credit not only to our
community, but also to the country, fighting overseas in the war
on terror," Berry says.
Active National Guardsmen & Reservist
Sgt. Kevin Neal, United States Marine Corp Reserve; Sgt. Joe
Hayes, KY National Guard, USMC Veteran; Sgt. Wes Kimbler,
U.S. Army Reserve; Officer Paul Stevenson, KY National
Guard (Army Veteran); Officer Nathan Antonities, Army Re-
serve; and Officer Trevor Youngblood, KY National Guard.
Our Veterans
Cpt. Brian Krueger (USMC); Cpt. Jason Merrick (USN); Sgt.
Will Gilbert (USMC); Sgt. Steve Smith (Army); Sgt. Wes Ora -
zine (USMC); Rob Estes (USMC); Brent Obermark (Army);
Michael Simak (Army); Brian Kopischke (USMC); Nathan
Young (USN); Cindy Neihoff (Army); Travis Counts (USN);
Troy Turner (Army); Lofton Rowley (Army); Anthony Hughes
(USAF); Chris Baxter (USN); Keith Thuline (Army); Evan
Cowan (Army); David Carroll (USCG); Lourdes Morrison
(USN); and Art Martinez (USMC).
Top photo provided by Kevin Neal, pictured far right 12
LIFESAVING AWARDS
On July 23, 2010, Officers Nathan Antonites (right) and
Matt Reed (center), received lifesaving awards for per-
forming CPR on Mr. Ed Puckett (left), after he collapsed
at a traffic collision in April 2010.
Assistant Chief Stacey Grimes—Performed the Heimlich
maneuver and rescue breathes while off-duty on a man
that was choking at Rafferty's restaurant in late August
of 2009. The man was taken to the hospital and survived
the incident.
Captain Jason Merrick & Officer James Davis— On
March 13, 2010, Merrick and Davis performed CPR on
Daniel Jackson, an employee of Fat Moe's restaurant and
bar, after he collapsed. They continued CPR for five
minutes, until Paducah firefighters arrived and used an
Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Jackson sur-
vived the incident.
Captain Mark Roberts— In April of 2009, officers re-
sponded to a shooting in the area of the 2600 block of
Mildred Street. Captain Mark Roberts was one of the
first to arrive, and found a male subject shot in the head.
He performed CPR on the man until EMS arrived. The
man died a short time later at the hospital.
Captain David White & Officer Michael Simak— Per-
formed CPR on a man that was shot in the chest. The
man was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.
Officer Wes Orazine & Detective Justin Crowell— In
April of 2009, Orazine and Crowell performed CPR on a
man that had been stabbed in the chest. He was rushed to
the hospital ,where he died a short time later.
CHIEF'S AWARD
Detective Sgt. Will Gilbert Gilbert has
led the PPD Bomb Squad since 2004,
and has devoted countless hours both on
-and-off duty. He has "helped to mold
the squad into one of the finest in the
Commonwealth," says Assistant Chief
Brandon Barnhill. Gilbert has been instrumental in ac-
quiring nearly $750,000 in grant funding during his com-
mand. For this, he received the Chief's Award.
SERVICE COMMENDATIONS
Detective Sgt. Brian Laird & Investigative Assistant
Malinda Baltz— Both received Service Commenda-
tions for their efforts to bring the John E. Reid and As-
sociates interview and interrogation course to Paducah.
This allowed the PPD to receive free training, saving
the city approximately $8,000, and allowed other local
law enforcement access to the program without having
to pay for out-of-town travel. The Reid training is a
world-renowned program and the most respected inter-
view training in the law enforcement community.
CIVILIAN SERVICE AWARDS
In March of 2010, a business on Hinkleville Road was
robbed, and two local teens observed two of the suspects
flee in a vehicle. They quickly called 911, and followed
the vehicle, providing timely updates as to the suspects'
location. This allowed police to quickly apprehend the
suspects and for that reason, the shift commander, Cap-
tain Shawn Maxie nominated them for the Civilian Ser-
vice Award. "They displayed character and performed
an outstanding service in the face of unknown peril,
thereby aiding the department in solving a serious
crime," Maxie said.
KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF CITIES
INSURANCE SERVICE
The Kentucky League of Cities awarded the City of Paducah
with it's Golden Eagle Award on September 17, 2010, for
receiving a 100 percent score on the law enforcement scored
evaluation. Mark Filburn with KLC, says it is a distinction
that has only been accomplished "14 times in the history of
the program." It shows the city's commitment to following
the best law enforcement practices. Chief Berry says, "I
think this is something that really shows the people out there
we're doing what we should be doing. This is a very profes-
sional organization, and I'm very pleased to be a part of it."
Chief Berry, Captain Brian Krueger and Commissioner
Gerald Watkins receive the Golden Eagle Award.
DUI GOVERNOR'S AWARD
Each year the Governor of the Common-
wealth of Kentucky gives a Governor's
Award to the officer in each agency with
the most arrests for Driving Under the
Influence. On December 1, 2010, Officer
Chris Fearon received the award for the
PPD.
GRANT AWARDS
The PPD received the following grants during the
2010 calendar year -
2010 KY Homeland Security Body Amor $14,300
2010 U.S. DOJ Bullet Proof Vest Program $12,000
2010 KY Dept. of Transportation
$44,627
Project Safe Neighborhoods
$15,000
2010 U.S. DOJ Justice Assistance Grant
$32,500
U.S. DOJ COPS Grant
$202,398
2010 KY Office of Homeland Security
$170,000
(Bomb)
2010 Justice Assistance Grant
$18,030
(MDC)
2010 KY L.E. Service Fee (DUI)
$8,780
Total $517,635
THANK YOU
Chief Berry would like to thank all of the elected
officials and distinguished guests, as well as all the
family members that attended the department's
award ceremony 2010. Also, a special thanks to
West Kentucky Community and Technical College,
for allowing us the use of the Emerging Technolo-
gy Building.
T
c � �
77
V.-Oy - y
1 11
When most people think about police work, they
think about their favorite television show. Over the years,
shows like Dragnet, Law & Order, COPS, and others have
defined how Americans view police work, but the reality is
quite different than Hollywood's portrayal. Police officers
today have to consistently make good decisions in some of
life's most complex and dynamic situations. And, police
organizations like ours are forced to evaluate more than just
crime as we pick the strategies that best meet our commu-
nity's needs.
Issues like the current economic recession, poverty, and
unemployment are among the concerns police organiza-
tions must monitor. At the Paducah Police Department, and
across the state of Kentucky, police executives are hearing
from people like Ron Crouch, a well-known sociologist and
Director of Research and Statistics for the Kentucky Educa-
tion and Workforce Development Cabinet. The consistent
message: be ready to do more with less.
While national funding support for local and state law
enforcement is decreasing and many departments are deal-
ing with shrinking budgets, social factors that influence
crime are getting worse. Meanwhile, new technologies are
reshaping both crime and crime fighting, and law enforce-
ment is struggling to address the emerging issues.
Additionally, as we move further away from September 11,
2001, and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005,
some people forget the importance of Homeland Security
and emergency preparedness. These topics remain a very
high priority in the law enforcement community, as we try
to safeguard our communities.
In Paducah, we feel lucky that the recession has not impact-
ed us as badly as other areas of the country. Our operating
budget has not been significantly cut, and since budget cuts
15
for police organizations usually spell decreased training, we
consider ourselves fortunate.
The high-risk tasks officers handle make training an essential
element of the budget, and cuts can create serious civil liability
issues for years to come. Instead of cutting, our commitment
to training led the Kentucky League of Cities, our insurance pro-
vider, to award us with the Golden Eagle Award in September
for receiving a 100 percent score on the law enforcement
scored evaluation, which includes our efforts to maintain the
highest standards of training. Meanwhile, we continue to look
for innovative ways to do more with less. One such example is
our increased use of the "train -the -trainer" concept, where we
send instructors to be trained in a task and then use them in-
house to train the rest of the force, rather than sending more
officers away to schools.
We also are responding to new and emerging technologies by
using crime mapping software to locate and address areas of
high crime— a feature we hope to make available on-line to
citizens in the future. We are participating in the Internet
Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, which led to 10 ar-
rests in 2010. And, in 2011, we also will be partnering with the
University of Louisville to form a regional computer forensic
mini -lab in Paducah. This lab will help us process cell phones,
computers, and other digital evidence that is commonplace in
many investigations.
In 2010, we formed a committee to develop a Continuity of
Operations Plan, which will ensure smooth operation in a seri-
ous disaster, and we work daily with other law enforcement
partners regionally, state-wide, and federally to monitor
on-going concerns of Homeland Security.
As we brace for continued tough economic times, consolidate
our successes over the past year, and look forward to the
challenges of the coming year, we reflect on the fact that
though the landscape changes, our mission remains the same:
to serve and protect the citizens of Paducah.
Mental Illness
According
Lieutenant Spratt is for by
to the National Institute of Mental Health, a
says the class, which provided state
branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
statute, represents a partnership between the Department of
Services, one in four Americans has a diagnosable mental
Behavioral Health, law enforcement and the Department of Crimi-
disorder and about six percent of all Americans have a
nal Justice Training, and mental health advocacy groups, like the
serious mental illness.' When untreated, people suffering
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Since 2007, nearly 700
from certain mental illnesses can sometimes behave in a
officers have attended the training, and they average about 200
way that requires a law enforcement response, and the law
allows police to intervene. In 2010, the PPD took 58 people
into emergency custody for mental health evaluations. And,
because mental illness is so prevalent and officers
commonly encounter mentally ill people, the type of
training they receive is critical.
Retired Louisville Metro Police Lieutenant Denise Spratt has
been working since 2007 to train Kentucky officers on how
to better deal with mentally ill people. The training is called
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. It is a concept that
has paired law enforcement with mental health profession-
als and advocacy groups to offer insight into how to identify,
talk to, and better respond to mentally ill people in crisis.
"I just call it wonderful," says Hank Cecil Administrator of
Four Rivers Behavioral Health. He says traditionally there
was some breakdown in communication between law en-
forcement and the mental health community, but since the
program began there is "a sense of trying to work together
better." And, he says he has heard the same thing from
clients, who have noticed a positive difference in law
enforcement's response.
The Four Rivers Behavioral Health group provides instructors
and helps share some of the cost with the state to ensure
the 40 -hour class comes to western Kentucky. Cecil reports
that in 2009-2010, the McCracken County United Way
helped partially fund the class with an Emerging Needs
grant
officers per year in the class.
Spratt says the objectives are to improve officer safety when
dealing with the mentally ill, to educate the officers about mental
illness, and to help improve the way officers handle calls with
mentally ill persons. "It also teaches the officers what resources
they have available to help the person," she said. "The more they
understand what the person is dealing with, that gives them more
empathy for the person and makes them more effective when
trying to assist".
Like Hank Cecil, Spratt says the fact
that mental health professionals and
law enforcement officers are sitting
down in the same room and working
together on the issue has had a huge
impact on the relationship between the
two groups, and ultimately those in
need of mental health services have
benefited the most.
In 2010, the PPD
took 58 people into
emergency custody
for mental health
evaluations.
The PPD sends several officers each year to the training, and
Captain Jason Merrick is a CIT Instructor. Merrick also was
recognized in 2009 as CIT Officer of the Year. To read more about
CIT training in Kentucky, check out their website at
www.kentuckycit.com.
1. Retrieved on 2/14/2011 from:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-menta I-disorders-in-
america/index.shtml
16
2010 A report
0
MAJOR CRIMES HIT ALL-TIME LOW
Part 1 Offenses
The Paducah Police Department is happy to re-
port that our major crimes have hit at least a 21 -
year low. In 2010, the PPD had 43,707 calls for ser-
vice. Roughly seven percent of those calls (3,402)
led to a criminal report.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is
responsible for tracking crime in America through
their Uniform Crime Report (UCR), which they pub-
lish annual.
As part of that report,
they consider eight
types of crime to be
Part I Crimes;
murder, forcible
rape, robbery,
assault, burglary,
larceny, auto theft,
and arson.
According to the
FBI's mid -year
2010 UCR data,
nationally crime
was down in every
Part I Crime catego-
ry over the first half
of 2010, and down
6.2 percent over-
all.
In Paducah, we saw similar trends and had 238 few-
er Part I offenses than in 2009. Robberies were the
only crime that increased slightly (2.3%) over the
previous year. Overall, Paducah's Part I crime was
down almost 16 percent from 2009 overall.
In order to compare our stats with the rest of coun-
try, we have to convert our number of offenses into
a rate per 100,000 residents. Once converted, we can
compare local numbers to national data and get a
better idea of how we are doing.
Paducah had no murders in 2010. The
national projected average was 4.6 per
100,000, and while we continue to have
above average numbers of forcible rapes,
robberies, burglaries, larcenies, and ar-
sons, we are below the national average for
aggravated assault and theft of motor vehi-
cles.
Our forcible rape rate fell through 2010, at
almost twice the national percentage. Our
burglary rate fell by 21 percent, compared to
1.4 percent nation-wide, and our larceny rate
fell by 13 percent, compared to 2.3 percent
nationally. Auto theft was also down 34.5
percent locally, while national rates only
went down 9.7 percent. Arsons were stable
from previous year locally.
It can also be reported that forcible rapes,
aggravated assaults, and motor vehicle thefts
locally are at the lowest level they have been
in at least five years. Burglary also is at a
three year low.
The simple graph below shows the overall
number of Part I Crimes at five-year incre-
ments since 1990.
PART I CRIMES BY YEAR
3000
2000
High point was
1000
1992 at 3152
Year 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Crimes 2893 3014 2007 1935 1314
to our community
Part II Offenses
Arrests
Part II Offenses include the following types of The Paducah Police Department made 2,840
crime: arrests in 2010. That means PPD officers made
Simple assaults
Forgery & Counterfeiting
Fraud
Criminal mischief
Weapons offenses
Sexual offenses (other than rape)
Drug abuse violations
Offenses against family & children
All other offenses not included in
Part I Crimes
The Paducah Police Department saw a two per-
cent overall reduction in the number of Part II
Offenses from 2009 to 2010, which means that
these offenses were relatively stable. Simple
assaults, frauds, and offenses against family and
children were up slightly, while all other catego-
ries saw minor reductions.
Part II Offenses
2009
2010
Simple Assaults
677
693
Forgery
78
67
Fraud
206
218
Criminal Mischief
494
447
Weapons Viol.
39
33
Sex Offenses
(Other than rape)
33
30
Drug Violations
658
639
Offenses Against
Family & Chil-
dren
78
103
All Others
530
509
Total
2793
2739
arrests in about 6.5 percent of all contacts. Ar-
rests range from minor violations to serious felo-
ny charges, and about half (46%) involved drugs
or alcohol violations.
The number of arrests decreased drastically over
the previous year's total of 6,140. This is im-
portant to note and offers some proof of what
police organizations already know: that increased
arrests don't necessarily equal decreased crime.
The PPD attributes community -oriented policing
and intelligence -based policing, where we use
real-time crime mapping software and reports to
identify and target problem areas, as the reason
for our success.
Warrant Service
As a municipal law enforcement agency the
PPD assists the McCracken County Sheriff's
Department with serving warrants on city resi-
dents. Additionally, police officers investigat-
ing crimes may swear to, then serve warrants
against suspects in a particular case. And,
while carrying out their daily responsibilities,
officers often come into contact with wanted
persons from throughout the country.
In 2010, the PPD served 58 felony arrest war-
rants, 269 misdemeanor warrants, and 752
bench warrants. PPD officers also served 314
misdemeanor summons, 39 felony summons,
and 51 juvenile orders.
19
traffic report:
In 2010, the Paducah Police Department The Paducah Police Department issued 7,175 i
investigated a total of 1,621 collisions, 344
with injuries, and a total of three fatalities.
Hinkleville Road, between Interstate 24 and
Olivet Church Road, was the most dangerous
stretch of road in Paducah, with 51 crashes. Irvin
Cobb Drive on Paducah's Southside was the
second most dangerous, with 22, and Lone Oak
Road a close third with 21 collisions reported.
Rainy weather was cited as a contributing factor
in 108 crashes (6.6 %), and snow was cited in 31
(1.9%). The most common contributing human
factor was inattention (624). Failure to yield right
-of-way was the second leading contributing fac-
tor, accounting for 346 collisions.
State-wide in Kentucky there were approximately
150,549 crashes, and about 17 percent of them
involved injuries, amounting to 38,098 total inju-
ries.' Considering the population of Kentucky,
which is estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau at
4,314,113, there were roughly 3,489 collisions
per 100,000 residents in Kentucky in 2010.
Comparatively, given Paducah -McCracken Coun-
ty's population, that puts our estimated number of
city crashes below the state collision rate. If you
compare all crashes in McCracken County, in-
cluding city and county data (2,374 crashes), you
find the rate to be 3,603 per 100,000, or about the
same as the state-wide numbers. This is good
news for Paducah residents. Since our daytime
population is estimated to be much higher than
our actual population, it shows that our numbers
are low.
When it comes to traffic safety, you will com-
monly hear about the "3 Es": education, enforce-
ment, and engineering. Law enforcement's contri-
bution is, of course, enforcement. And, as a full-
service law enforcement agency, our officers
spend a great deal of time enforcing traffic laws
as they patrol the streets.
traffic citations in 2010. That's an average of
about 150 per patrol officer, and it represents
an eight percent decrease from2009. The
number of citations can vary greatly from
year to year depending on several factors,
suc as grant un ng or overtime.
The most common citation was seat belt vio-
lations, accounting for 3,204. One reason for
the number of seat belt violations was the
PPD's contribution to state-wide campaigns
like "Click -It or Ticket".�
Seat belt use is important to us, as we know
firsthand that seatbelts save lives. According
to the National Highway Traffic Safety Ad-
ministration (NHTSA), seat belt use has in-
creased steadily since 1994. They estimate
that 85 percent of people used their seat belt
in 2010. And, they report that as belt use has
increased the number of fatalities, especially
unrestrained occupant fatalities, has
declined.1
Second, speeding was the most common vio-
lation, accounting for 1,801 citations, fol-
lowed by disregard of a traffic control device
(329), and "all other" traffic violations ac-
counted for the remaining 1,841.
The PPD received just less than $45,000 in
grant funding from the state to help conduct
targeted traffic and DUI enforcement. "Grant
funding allows us to use more resources in
those problem areas that we've identified
through our crash data," Captain Don Hodg-
son says. Hodgson helps administer the traf-
fic grants each year and supervises the target-
ed enforcement actions. "The goal of traffic
enforcement is to drastically reduce traffic
collisions and injuries from those collisions,"
he said.
Inattention 38 %
Following too close 10 %
Failure to yield right-of-way 21 %
Disregard of traffic control 12
Distraction 7 %
All others 12 %
Causes of collision
The PPD worked 624 patrol hours, 300 check-
point hours, was able to send one officer to a
two-day conference, and trained two radar in-
structors, all on grant funds. Additionally, two-
thirds of the patrol hours were spent conducting
DUI enforcement details.
In 2010, the PPD made 260 arrests for Driving
Under the Influence (DUI). This number was
down from 476 DUI arrests in 2009. The depart-
ment made DUI 361 arrest in 2008.
DUI enforcement is always a priority, but the
number of arrests each year can vary greatly,
depending on factors like grant -funded enforce-
ment.
The PPD also sent two officers to a three-week
school to become Drug Recognition Experts.
Officers Chris Fearon and Nathan Antonities
attended the training, which help them more
readily identify those drivers who are under the
influence of drugs, other than alcohol. Both
officers currently are assigned to the night shift,
which is the shift with the most DUI arrests, and
they serve as a resource for other patrol officers
in detecting impaired driving.
Enforcement plays a big role in traffic safety,
especially when it comes to seatbelt compliance
and impaired driving. "While we would like to
eliminate collisions altogether, we know that's
not realistic— so we try to reduce them by fo-
cusing on those things we think makes the most
difference, and we do so in the areas that need it
the worst," said Captain Hodgson.
Despite law enforcement's best effort, most
collisions are the result of driver inattention, as
the chart above illustrates. "Very few collisions
are the result of mechanical failure," says Cap-
tain David White, the PPD's traffic crash recon-
struction supervisor, "Most collisions are the
result of human error, and great engineering and
enforcement only go so far".
White says he believes enforcement brings
about compliance, as the seat belt and fatalities
numbers show. However, drivers have to be
responsible, avoid distractions, and pay
attention to the road.
1. U.S. Dept. of Transportation (NHTSA) (Sept., 2010). Seat belt
Use in 2010—Overall Results. Washington, D.C. DOT HS 811378.
—j -
It It
20
FATAL
Across Kentucky, there were 757 traffic
fatalities in 2010.' The Paducah Police
Department investigated three of those crashes,
resulting in three total deaths. That puts our
local fatality rate in line with the national rate,
which in 2009 was 11.01 per 100,000.2
Each time a collision appears to involve life-
threatening injuries, the patrol supervisor re-
quests the Traffic Accident Reconstruction
(TAR) team, which is led by Captain David
White.
Captain White has been reconstructing serious
collisions since 2001, and says, "When a colli-
sion involves serious injuries or a death, it's
important that we go the extra mile to examine
all of the facts. We determine if the situation
warrants criminal charges, like vehicular homi-
cide, and we also try to collect as much evi-
dence as we can so families and those that rep-
resent them can make accurate determination
about who is at fault."
Trained traffic crash reconstructionists have a
minimum of 240 hours of specialized training.
White has about 400 hours of training and has
investigated numerous collisions. He is assisted
by officers Mike Redmon, Brian Kopischke,
Anthony Hughes, and Josh Bryant.
According to the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) early esti-
mates of traffic fatalities in 2010 show a 4.5
percent decrease from 2009.2 In Kentucky, fatal
collisions were down about 4.2 percent from
2009.'
White says nationwide fatalities have been
declining each year, with the exception of mo-
torcycle deaths. "According to NHTSA, motor-
cycle fatalities hit a high point in 2008, after
increasing every year over the previous ten
plus years. However, they declined sharply in
2009, and I suspect they will be down again in
2010," White says.
21
Part of that statistic White says
probably was due to a huge decline
in motorcycle sales with the downturn
in the economy.
"In a city environment, we tend to get a
little of everything, but we stay extremely
concerned about our pedestrians and bicy-
clists," White says. NHTSA reports show
on average more than 5,000 pedestrians and
cyclists are killed each year in traffic crash-
es.2 "People out riding or walking should
wear bright clothing, pay attention to the
rules of the road, and to what's going on
around them," White said.
Drivers are not always attentive to what is
going on around them and the most com-
mon contributing factor in all crashes is
inattention. Though we commonly think of
cell phone use as being the most common
factor, "statistically, at least in Kentucky,
they seem to account for about one percent
of reported distractions," White says. How-
ever, there are numerous distractions in a
vehicle. Everything from the radio to day-
dreaming can lead to disaster.
Another question that is always asked: was
the person under the influence? Statistically,
the number of fatalities nation-wide involv-
ing alcohol or drugs has been in decline, and
in 2007, NHTSA says 32 percent of fatal
crashes involved impaired drivers. Similarly
in Kentucky in 2010, 20 percent of all fatal
collisions involved impaired drivers.'
Though our goal each year is to have no
fatal collisions, it seems we always have a
few. We urge drivers and pedestrians to
help us keep our roads as safe as possible.
1. Kentucky State Police, retrieved on 2/22/11 from: http://
kentuckystatepolice. org/tip2010.htm
2. NHTSA (Dec., 2010). Early Estimates of MV Traffic
Fatalities for the First Three Quarters (Jan -Sep) of 2010.
DOT HS 81143 1, Washington, D.C.
3. NHTSA. Retrieved on 2/22/11 from: http://www-
fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx
I1;
Driver's Training
The Paducah Police Department is one of only a few depart-
ments in the state of Kentucky that conducts regular driver's
training, and we've been training since 2003. After all, of the 162
law enforcement line -of -duty deaths in 2010, 73 were traffic -related
fatalities, fifty of which were automobile crashes.' Our officers
drove thousands of miles last year. We were involved in 15 colli-
sions, four of them where the officer was listed at -fault.
To combat this problem and ensure that our drivers are as safe as
possible, we conduct regular driver's training, usually each spring,
at a local, privately owned airstrip. Training Officer Rob Estes,
Captain Mark Roberts, Captain Jason Merrick, Detective Mike
Wentworth, and Officer Scotty Davis are all certified driving in-
structors. Each attended a law enforcement drivers instructors'
course at the Department of Criminal Justice Training, or at the
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, in Glynco, GA.
The training includes elements of precision driving, emergency
response, and pursuit driving, including the use of Stop SticksTM
Stop Sticks are a device used to end pursuits by puncturing the sus-
pect's tires without causing a loss of control.
"Our main goal is to enhance the safety of the officers and citizens
by practicing at normal and high speeds," Captain Roberts says.
The officers listen to classroom instruction, including instructors'
critiques of in -car videos, sometimes from their own vehicle, before
heading out onto the course where Roberts says "we put theory into
practice."
The class addresses vehicle control, accident avoidance, skid pre-
vention, recovery, and decision-making. And, the controlled envi-
ronment allows officers to practice their skills with no risk to the
public.
"We also stress judgment and decision-making on how to re-
spond to emergency calls and engage in pursuits," Roberts say.
The PPD has a restrictive pursuit policy, which allows officers to
pursue only the most dangerous suspects, where the need to ap-
prehend them clearly out weighs the risk to the officer and the
public. Officers have to understand the policy and be ready to
make a split second decision in what often proves to be a dynam-
ic environment.
"Pursuits are not Our main goal is
something we take to enhance the
lightly. We understand safety of officers
the risks, but we also and citizens."
understand that there
are times where officers have to take the risk and engage in pur-
suits," says Assistant Chief Stacey Grimes. It's in those times
and in the day-to-day driving that cause Grimes to say "I'm glad
we have driver's training."
It's also noteworthy that PPD officers are not immune to the
affects of a drunk driver. In 2010, two different on -duty PPD
officers were struck by a driver that was suspected of driving
under the influence. Luckily, neither the officers nor the other
drivers were hurt.
The Paducah Police Department is committed to enhancing
public safety. Part of that mission requires us to ensure our
officers are trained properly in those tasks they handle each day,
especially those that are as risky as driving. For that reason, we
are very proud of our driver's training program.
1. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. (2010). Law Enforcement
Fatalities Spike Dangerously in 2010. Retrieved on 2/25/11 from:
www.LawMemorial.org
According to a December 2010 report by the National Insti-
tute on Drug Abuse, illicit drug use has risen to its highest
level in eight years.' They report that 8.7 percent of Americans,
or an estimated 21.8 million people, said they used illegal drugs
in the month leading up to the survey. Among the other findings
of the report— marijuana use rose from six percent to 6.6 percent,
and marijuana accounted for three-quarters of all reported use.
Non-medical use of prescription drugs also was up 12 percent,
and methamphetamine use was up slightly from 2009.
In 2009, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) also
reported Kentucky had the fourth highest number of meth labs
discovered (707), while among our close neighbor, Missouri was
number one with 1,784. Indiana was ranked second with 1,267.2
Kentucky has been one of the top ten states for meth labs since at
least 2004, according to the DEA. Though the methamphetamine
concern in our area is high, the use and manufacturing of the drug
is not prevalent in the city.
Locally, the Paducah Police Department made 342 drug-related
arrests in 2010. This means a rate of approximately 1316 per
100,000 people, which is nearly 2.5 times the 2009 national rate
for drug abuse violations.3 For cities our size, the FBI reports
drug abuse violations at 538 per 100,000. If we include the 270
drug-related arrests made by the McCracken County Sheriff s
Office in 2010 and compare the combined numbers with the
Paducah -McCracken County Census data the rate drops slightly,
but remains well above the national average.4
In addition to these concerns, new drug problems seem to
emerge. In 2010, the sale of synthetic marijuana and bath salts by
local convenient stores and other businesses became an issue of
concern.
1. National Institute on Drug Abuse (2010). Retrieved on 2/20/11, and cited
here from: http://drugabuse.gov/NIDA_ notes/NNvol23N3/tearoffhtml
2. U.S. DOJ, Drug Enforcement Administration (2011). Retrieved on 2/20/11,
and cited here from: http://www.justice.gov/dea/concem/
map_ lab_seizures.html
3. U.S. DOJ, Federal Bureau of Investigation, UCR (2009). Retrieved on
2/20/11, and cited here from: http://www2.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2009/data/
table_31.html
23 4. All local data retrieved via the Kentucky State Police's KY Ops Portal
I1;
So what are we doing about the drug problems in our
community?
Education—
The PPD works with Paducah Public Schools to conduct educa-
tional programs aimed at reducing drug abuse. In 2010, Officer
Travis Counts led 97 Paducah Middle School students through
the Gang Resistance Education and Training program, and
Chief James Berry committed to bringing the Drug Abuse Re-
sistance Education (DARE) program back to Paducah. In early
2011 officers Gretchen Morgan and Chris Fearon will attend
the DARE Officer certification course and the department
hopes to have them teaching the program as soon as they return.
Street -level enforcement—
Many of the drug related arrests are made by patrol officers
who are in contact with citizens each day. The most basic level
of the drug trade occurs on the streets where drug users meet
drug dealers. Likewise, patrol officers get called to investigate
other crimes, only to realize that drugs are involved. For this
reason, our patrol officers play a vital role in the department's
overall strategy to combat drugs.
Throughout 2010, the Drug and Vice Enforcement (DAVE)
detectives, who have the task of combating higher-level drug
dealers, spent some of their time teaching patrol officers what
to look for on the streets. The DAVE detectives have special-
ized training in drug detection and investigation, and they
shared that knowledge with patrol officers in two-hour blocks
of training each month. The topics covered search and seizure
issues, drug interdiction and detection, as well as interview and
interrogation techniques.
Working with the Community
In September of 2010, we partnered with the Kentucky Associ-
ation of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwifes, Four Rivers
Behavioral Health, the DEA, and McCracken County Sheriffs
ak .►'I
Office in a National Take Back Day. It was a one -day program
sponsored by the DEA to help people get rid of unwanted or
unused prescription drugs, in an attempt to cut down on prescrip-
tion drug abuse. The PPD also partnered with the Kentucky
Crime Prevention Coalition to provide a year-round drug drop
box where people could drop off medications at the police de-
partment for safe disposal. The box is located in our lobby and
accessible during business hours. In 2010, we took in more than
100 pounds of pills, keeping them out of the hands of the wrong
people and protecting the environment by providing a safe meth-
od of disposal.
We also listen to the community, and rely on our Crime Stoppers
tip line to feed us information that may otherwise go undetected.
Each year we receive around 300 tips, and the majority of those
tips are related to drugs. We respond to each tip by assigning it
to an officer or detective for review.
Partnering with law enforcement
The PPD has partnerships with the federal Alcohol Tobacco and
Firearms (ATF) and the Kentucky State Police Drug and Special
Investigations taskforce. These taskforce officers are dual -sworn
officers and possess broader law enforcement powers that help
us hunt down and bring to justice criminals who would other-
wise be beyond our reach.
Investigating higher-level dealers—
As highlighted in Assistant Chief Grimes' report, the DAVE
Unit initiated 292 investigations, seizing nearly 2,000 grams of
cocaine, 14 pounds of marijuana, and 22 grams of meth. Many
of these cases were undercover drug operations focused on high-
er-level dealers connected to our area.
Working with the Courts—
Our officers work with prosecutors to ensure that drug offenders
are prosecuted appropriately, according to the law. In 2010, the
DAVE Unit obtained convictions in 70 cases. That includes
carrying cases through both state and federal court,
as well as working with our local drug court. The drug court
tries to identifying low-level drug offenders and offers them a
second chance, and the PPD recognizes that, too, can be a win-
win for law enforcement and the community.
Using Technology
Kentucky commonly ranks high among other states when it
comes to the abuse of prescription drugs and overdose deaths.
The Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting
system (KASPER) is a tool that allows law enforcement to find
people with overlapping prescriptions, particularly for those
drugs that are commonly abused. "It's a useful tool to deter-
mine if someone is doctor shopping," Sgt. Will Gilbert says.
The number of doctor shopping cases is always high and the
PPD investigates many complaints each year of prescription
abuse. The KASPER system is one example of how technology
is helping us fight the growing problem of abuse.
Responding to emerging issues—
In April of 2010, synthetic marijuana became illegal, and since
then we have been investigating complaints. Synthetic marijua-
na was marketed under the brand names "K2", "Spice", and
"Posh," and we had a handful of arrests related to possession of
these substances in 2010. The department has increased en-
forcement efforts leading into 2011, by identifying and target-
ing business owners, primarily convenient stores, who still had
the products on their shelves. Additionally, certain bath salts
have recently gained attention as a synthetic alternative to co-
caine. Although they are not illegal, we anticipate legislation in
2011 to ban the sale and possession of the salts. We also are
considering a local ordinance that would assist us in preventing
the sale of the substances in Paducah until state legislation can
be adopted.
The PPD is working diligently to reduce and control drug
crimes in the Paducah -McCracken County area. If you have
information to share with us, please contact Sergeant Will
Gilbert at 270-444-8555, or the Crime Stoppers hotline at
443 -TELL (443-8355).
24
ow and why police use force is a concern to
citizens, and the Paducah Police Department
understands that concern and is committed to
transparency in how we conduct ourselves.
People often have the impression
that officers use physical force with
every arrest, but that is not the
case. Last year, the PPD made
2,840 arrests and used physical
force only 60 times. That is two
percent of the time. Of those 60
incidents, roughly 80 percent required what police refer
to as "empty -hand" techniques, meaning the officer is
using hand-to-hand defense techniques, not a weapon,
such as a baton, pepper spray, Taser'm, or firearm.
Twenty of the 60 incidents led to the suspect being in-
jured, but most of those injuries were minor and only 11
incidents required any type of medical attention. Mean-
while, officers were injured in two of the incidents, but
again no significant injuries were reported.
The use of force rate was stable, changing less than one
percent from the previous year. And, a five-year average
shows the PPD consistently uses physical force in about
two percent of all arrests. Although officers are required
to complete a Use of Force report for humanely killing
injured animals, those reports are not included in these
statistics.
I ki =E'01 :M :f01 .0
25
Police officers handle some of the most dangerous situations and
people in society. Last year, seventy-seven police officers were
attacked and killed in the line of duty. Despite our desire to resolve
situations peacefully and without physical force, there are always
situations that require us to use force in order to uphold the law
and protect those we serve.
HOW WE REPORT
Because multiple officers usually arrive to help in situations where
force is needed, and each officer will see and act differently, each
officer that is involved in a use of force incident is required to sub-
mit a separate report, giving an account of the incident and his/her
actions. This allows us to collect as much information as possible
about what happened. The reports then are reviewed by each
level of supervision from the front-line supervisor to the Chief of
Police, to ensure the officer's actions were proper. These reports
are then analyzed and filed with the Office of Professional Stand-
ards, which is responsible for investigating any allegations of mis-
conduct.
RACIAL. GENDER. & AGE DIFFERENCES IN USE OF FORCE
The PPD Use of Force report captures demographic data. Below
you will find a table that demonstrates that information, as well as
information about the sobriety of the person.
USE OF •
POPULATION
White
78%
Black
22%
All Other Races
0%
Male
80%
Female
20%
Under 18
5%
18-24
20%
25-45
64%
46 And Older
11%
Under the
58%
Influence
USE OF FORCE TRAINING
Verbal 1udOT"" — Perhaps you've heard the term "Verbal Ju-
do." It is a training system developed by Dr. George Thompson,
president and founder of the Verbal Judo Institute, which has
been around since the early 1980s. His program originally was
designed for law enforcement officers, but it has been widely
used in the private sector, too. Verbal Judo is a training course
in tactical communications, designed to help officers persuade
confrontational people into compliance without having to resort
to physical force.
Last year the Paducah Police Department sent Sgt. George John-
son and Officer Scotty Davis through the instructor level course
taught by Dr. Thompson, and when they returned they devel-
oped a in-house training course for all PPD officers. By March of
2010 all PPD officers had received a full 16 hours of Verbal Judo
training.
Civil Rights Training—According to Special Agent Mike
Brown, an FBI Agent that is assigned to investigate civil rights
violations, the FBI had more than 2,000 civil rights cases in FY
2010, most of which involved law enforcement. The PPD invited
Agent Brown to Paducah for a half-day training in February of
2011, to discuss the importance of civil rights issues.
Firearms Training—Like most agencies, the PPD requires
firearms training and qualification each year. At the PPD, offic-
ers qualify twice each year, under both daylight and nighttime
settings. And, officers are put through rigorous, real-life training
with firearms, simulated ammunition guns and video -based
decision-making training aids.
Because officers occasionally have to deal with heavily armed
persons and the handguns we carry have some limitations, the
PPD uses both shotguns and police patrol rifles for longer -range
accuracy and superior firepower.
Defensive Tactics Training—The PPD has several instruc-
tors trained in law enforcement defensive tactics, and provides
regular 16 -hour training blocks of defensive tactics and hand-
cuffing instruction to officers every other year.
Taser T" Training— By the end of 2010, all of our officers
were trained and equipped with Tasers.
IV zb' Tasers TM, also known as elec-
tronic control devices (ECDs),
have quickly become an effec-
tive tool for law enforcement
Taser'" x26 when it comes to combating
active resistance and aggression. Training Officer Rob Estes,
along with several other Taser trained instructors at the
PPD, spent 2010 ensuring that all PPD officers were trained
to carry the device. The department utilized $61,532 in
grant money to purchase Tasers in 2010, which completed
the implementation by ensuring that
each patrol officer, detective, and
drug detective had one, Estes said.
The Taser delivers an incapacitating
shock that lasts for several seconds,
allowing officers to safely handcuff
the person. To date, the PPD has had
no serious injuries related to Taser use, and the most com-
mon injury is the minor puncture wounds from the two
small probes that stick in the skin to deliver the shock.
At around $900 each and $30 per deployment, the ECDs
are not a cheap tool, but they are an effective one. Estes
said the department has implemented a sound policy, and
discusses all of the critical issues in training prior to officers
receiving one of the devices.
26
w�QS�
,OV! " r
1, 4L +
���G_t1Sr
0
27
he General Investigations Unit (GIU), which
is part of the Support Services Division, is
responsible for investigating most major crimes. In
2010, the five GIU detectives were assigned 322
cases. That's an average of over 64 cases per de-
tective, and their clearance rate was 72 percent.
Sgt. Brian Laird supervises the unit and says,
"everyone works together as a team. They often
stay late if necessary or do whatever it takes to get
the job done." The detectives take turns being on
call and if a major crime breaks, such as a homi-
cide, the whole unit may have to come in and
work, Laird says. In 2010, there were 72 after-
hours call outs.
Assistant Chief Stacey Grimes says the GIU squad
really has a tough job. "They have to sit down and
interview murderers, rapists and other serious
criminals, as well as the victims of serious crimes,
and that's not easy. Sometimes it takes several
hours and a lot of patience," Grimes says.
The job of a detective also requires an increased
understanding of legal issues, such as search and
seizure. Because of the size of our agency, detec-
tives do it all. They process crime scenes, write
search warrants, submit evidence to the crime lab,
investigate the cases, interview everyone, and pre-
sent the evidence to the prosecutor and the court.
"The job requires a significant amount of special-
ized training and it takes time to develop good
investigators," Grimes says.
In addition to all of the traditional investigative
responsibilities, new technologies are making the
job of an investigator much more complex. In
2010, Detective Mike Wentworth served as an
Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task
force officer. The ICAC program addresses on-line
child solicitation and pornography.
Detective Wentworth was able to make 10 arrests
of individuals who were attempting to solicit a
minor for sex over the Internet. To catch them,
Wentworth posed as a minor and went online.
In addition to the ICAC program, the PPD is hav-
ing two investigators trained to handle forensic
computer examinations. The training represents a
partnership with the University of Louisville to
provide a regional computer forensic laboratory in
Paducah. Officers from the surrounding area will
be able to have our detectives examine computers
for forensic evidence of all types.
These are just a couple of examples of how tech-
nology is changing the way investigators work, and
we are doing our best to keep up.
GIU Roster
Detectives Mike Wentworth, Matt Smith, Troy
Turner, Justin Crowell, Anthony Copeland, Inves-
tigative Assistant Malinda Baltz, Clerical Special-
ist Connie Waldridge, and Sergeant Brian Laird
ZK•
fficer Cindy Neihoff has been with the Paducah
Police Department since July of 2000, and thus far
her entire career has been in Operations, serving as a patrol
officer and training officer for new
recruits.
LJ The Patrol Unit, which is part of the
Operations Division at the department,
is responsible for patrolling and re-
sponding to all calls for service seven
days a week, 365 days a year.
In 2010, the patrol unit answered most all of the depart-
ment's 43,707 calls for service. This includes what most
think of as traditional police services, such as responding to
reports of crime, traffic collisions, and working traffic en-
forcement, as well as proactive preventative patrol of the
streets.
"It's hard to believe I've been here for almost twelve years,"
Neihoff says about her time on the streets. She says patrol-
ling the streets makes for an interesting job, and "what I like
is you really never know when you come in each morning
what is going to happen. There may be nothing going on,
then next thing you know, you're responding to a bank rob-
bery or something like that," Neihoff says.
Patrol officers have to constantly be ready to respond to
some of the most intense situations society has to offer, and
in any given shift can deal with a wide array of issues.
Ah�40 0 Ar` 7
"We're constantly out there in the public's eye and we have to
make tough decisions sometimes," Neihoff says. She says ethics
are important and in order to do the job, you have to be able to
make those tough calls and be comfortable with the fact that, at
the end of the day, you've done the best job you can.
She says there have been several advances in patrolling just in
her time on the streets, including the mobile data computers in
the cars, and most recently the addition of the Taserrm. She says
the tools and technology, while sometimes overwhelming, give
patrol officers advantages that they didn't once have, making the
job a little easier, and more efficient.
"Even the fact that the computer gives you a cross street to an
address you are looking for is a huge help," Neihoff says. Before
computers, officers would have to stop and take time to look up
an address on the map before making a call, and now they can get
a cross street sent directly to their computer and know exactly
where to go, quicker. "I think we always have to be looking for-
ward, and officers just starting today will see things change even
more," Neihoff says.
Neihoff says one of the things she likes about training new re-
cruits is watching the enthusiasm they have for the job. She feels
its important to help them recognize that the job of a patrol of-
ficer is exciting and something you can be proud of doing.
"It's often said that the Operations Division is the backbone of
any police organization, and that is very obvious here, because
we have a very strong Operations Division," Chief Berry said.
"They are highly trained, and committed to providing the best
service to the community."
28
Captain Brian Krueger
The Paducah Police Department's Professional Standards
Unit is responsible for investigating complaints against
officers, assisting with policy development, maintaining train-
ing records and standards, managing accreditation issues, and
assessing Homeland Security threats.
Captain Brian Krueger (bottom right) leads the unit and he is
supported by Training Officer Rob Estes. According to Chief
Berry, `Both the community and our employees need to know
that the department takes our standards seriously. The Profes-
sional Standards unit gives us a mechanism to ensure that we
live up to that goal."
Complaints
Captain Krueger reports there were 21 complaints filed against
officers in 2010. Of those complaints, seven incidents resulted
in employee counseling or written disciplinary action, while
fourteen incidents were unfounded, not sustained, or the officer
was exonerated. He reports that none of the incidents resulted
in employee suspension or termination. "Accountability builds
public trust and confidence, and ensures a continuing positive
relationship with our community," Krueger says.
Training
The Professional Standards Unit also maintains training records
and ensures that officers receive the proper amount and type of
training each year. In 2010, officers participated in 8,778 of
certified (state) training, and an additional 1,906 hours of
in-house training, for a total of 10,684 training hours. This
means on average patrol officers got 94 hours, detectives
received 140 hours, supervisors 134 hours, and managers
received 149 hours.
29
Standards
Accreditation
There are many issues involved in the accreditation process,
and managing the requirements takes constant attention.
"Accreditation is not just something the agency achieves, then
forgets about," Krueger says. It requires the maintenance of
certain types of records, review processes, and constant atten-
tion to the details that ensure the professionalism of the agency.
Homeland Security
According to their website, the Kentucky Intelligence Fusion
Center (KIFC), is responsible for compiling, blending, analyz-
ing and disseminating information among the broad network of
law enforcement, public health and other key organizations.
"One of my roles is as liaison for information and intelligence
between our department and the KIFC in Frankfort, and other
regional entities," Krueger says. In addition, Captain Krueger
attends monthly meetings with the local emergency prepared-
ness committee, and other organizations involved in the collab-
orative efforts to safeguard our community.
Read more about the KIFC at: www.homelandsecurity.ky.gov
Captain Brian Krueger can be
contacted by calling 270-444-8548,
or by email at:
bkrueger@ci.paducah.ky.us
CPA
OW
PADUCAH
POLICE DEPT
The Paducah Police Department graduated its 15th
Citizen's Police Academy (CPA) class on December
9, 2010. Twenty-eight citizens, including City Commis-
sioner Carol Gault, started the program on September 16.
The 11 -week instructional course focuses on building a
partnership between the police department, and the
community. Police Chief James Berry says, "If you want
to reduce crime in a community, work with families. Work
with the children. You can't police a community until you
know a community."
Classes were held Thursday evenings for three hours at the
police department, with one evening at the shooting range
on Cairo Road. The course is free of charge to any citizen
18 years of age or older. All applicants are subject to a
criminal background check prior to acceptance.
During the 11 -week program, citizens were exposed to
current law enforcement issues and procedures, in addition
to presentations by specialized units including Drug and
Vice Enforcement (DAVE), SWAT, K-9, and the Bomb
Squad. Citizens also had the opportunity to schedule a ride
-along with a patrol officer on any shift. Members of the
Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program provided an
overview of their goals and duties in the community. VIPS
members also provided the graduation dinner for the class.
During the first two classes, participants received a general
overview of the Paducah Police Department including the
organizational chart and operations structure, Evidence
unit, crime statistics, recruiting, and training. The second
class ended with demonstrations by two of the K-9 teams:
Sgt. Rob Hefner with K-9 Ronny and Officer Mike Simak
with K-9 Bikkel. Later in the program, the class was able
to meet the newest K-9 team, Officer Lofton Rowley and K
-9 Fox.
CPA,
.Ott
The third class was devoted to Kentucky Revised Statutes,
with discussions of culpable mental states and deadly
weapons.
The General Investigations Unit and the Drug and Vice
Enforcement Unit were highlighted during week four with
the class participating in a fingerprinting exercise. During
week five, the class had the opportunity to get a close look
at the SWAT team's truck and equipment. The sixth week
allowed the class to spend time in the police department's
parking lot role playing as officers and citizens during
traffic stops. The following week involved firearms, with
the class enjoying a bowl of chili and a chance to fire three
weapons. Taser demonstrations also proved to be enter-
taining.
For the next week of class, the discussion turned internal
with a lecture about the accreditation process and internal
affairs investigations. For week nine, class members had
the chance to get on their feet and learn about pressure
points, defensive tactics, and levels of control. During
"explosive" week ten, the Bomb Squad kept everyone on
their toes. They received the new robot only the day be-
fore the CPA class. The class watched as the robot
demonstrated its capabilities. The final week of CPA in-
cluded good food, good fellowship, and graduation hand-
shakes.
The Citizen's Police Academy started in Paducah in
March 2002 with the CPA Alumni Association beginning
September 2002. Although there no longer is an Alumni
Association, each student has the opportunity to partici-
pate in the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program.
Sergeant George Johnson coordinated the 2010 CPA class.
—Story by Pam Spencer, Paducah
Public Information Officer, CPA graduate
0
r
M
(F"
V l
30
NNE
HES%
EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING
The Paducah Police Department has 39 employees with col-
lege degrees: three with master's degrees, 28 with bachelor's
degrees, and eight employees with associate degrees. Three em-
ployees are working on master's degrees currently, and one is
working on a bachelor's degree.
Education is an essential element for success of the individual, and
the organizations they serve. In law enforcement, administrators
have the responsibility of managing public funds, determining
policies and practice, and supervising officers as they make
decisions where lives and individual freedoms are at stake.
Following the civil rights movement and general unrest of the
1960s, Congress passed the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Streets Act of 1968, and since then the number of college-educated
police officers has risen significantly. There now are more educat-
ed cops than ever before, and the research indicates that a more
educated workforce in policing has several benefits to the commu-
nity.
Roberg and Bonn (2004) point out a long history of research,
dating back to the 1970s, that shows college-educated officers are
more professional, use less force, and get fewer citizen complaints,
among other positive attributes. They also report that officers with
higher education are more "humanistic" in their approach to the
job, which makes them more adept at Community -Oriented Polic-
ing (COP) strategies.'
The Paducah Police Department, like most other modern agencies,
subscribes to the COP philosophy. It is a concept that was devel-
oped from the idea of "problem -oriented policing," first discussed
by Herman Goldstein in the 1970s. Goldstein (2003) says— "the
police function is ill defined... Demands on the police are often in
conflict. Public expectations exceed both available resources and
authority" (p.23).2
1. Roberg, R. & Bonn, S. (2004). Higher education and policing: Where are we now?
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 27, 4, pp. 469-486
2. Goldstein, H. (2003). On further developing Problem -Oriented Policing: The most critical need,
the major impediments, and a proposal. Crime Prevention Studies, 15, pp. 13-47
31
For that reason, the creative problem -solving and critical
thinking abilities of our officers has to be top notch, and we
believe that it is, in part to higher education.
As officers progress through their careers, some will move
into management positions, and they have the increased re-
sponsibilities of leadership. In public organizations like ours,
that means helping manage the workforce, generally 13-16
officers for a front-line supervisor.
In addition to a person's college education, advanced law
enforcement leadership training is essential to the develop-
ment of the necessary skills to handle these tasks. Courses
like the Academy of Police Supervision (APS) and the Crim-
inal Justice Executive Development (CJED) program, both
taught by Kentucky's Department of Criminal Justice Train-
ing (DOCJT) are essential starting points for new supervisors
and shift commanders. These courses address a wide range
of leadership, human resources, and management issues.
The APS and CJED classes are followed by the School of
Strategic Leadership, another program taught by DOCJT,
and other more advanced programs, such as the Southern
Police Institute's (SPI) command courses, or the FBI's Na-
tional Academy.
The PPD has 13 graduates of APS, six graduates of CJED,
and one graduate of the School of Strategic Leadership. Ad-
ditionally, both assistant chiefs have completed the Southern
Police Institute's executive command course, and Captain
Brian Krueger is a graduate of the FBI's National Academy.
Generally speaking, graduation from either the SPI command
course or the FBI National Academy are considered a must
have for any aspiring police chief. With the level of educa-
tion and leadership training we have, we are confident in our
ability to provide the best and most effective police services
to our community.
/IUENCE EVIDENCE
_ - EVIDENCE
k EVID� En
Maintaining the proper chain of custody is an
essential element of prosecuting criminal cases success-
fully, and it demonstrates the professionalism of a police
organization.
Tracy Lynch (left), is the Paducah Po-
lice Department's Evidence Technician,
and she is responsible for overseeing the
intake, safe and secure storage, and de-
struction of evidence. As part of her job,
Tracy has to ensure that the evidence is
always handled in a way that complies with the standards
set forth by court, as well as the Kentucky Association of
Chiefs of Police accreditation, which guidelines the best
practices for law enforcement.
We believe our evidence room is one of the best kept in
the state of Kentucky. According to Mike Bischoff, Execu-
tive Director of the Kentucky Association of Chief's of
Police, "one particular area of accomplishment (for the
PPD, through the accreditation process) was the continued
transformation and improvements of the property room,
insuring that it met or exceeded national standards."
In 2010, the evidence unit, which is part of the Support
Services Division, took in 2,258 items of evidence, and
destroyed or returned 2,338 items. In accordance with state
statute, we also release forfeited firearms to the Kentucky
State Police, but in 2010, we had no firearms submitted to
KSP. By statute, the state police take the guns and resell
them to licensed gun dealers, and the funds that are gener-
ated go toward the purchase of bullet proof vests.
IIUEN EVIDENCE � dDENCE
<H-
EVIDEN(rt
EViI
IDE
Like many evidence rooms, we do not keep seized money on
the premises. Instead, we deposit that money at a bank for safe-
keeping until it is court-ordered to be returned, or forfeited to
the police department for use. In 2010, we seized $24,265.97,
which was $5,271.13 less than in 2009.
Over the past 10 years the PPD has taken in more items of
evidence than it has been able to get rid of, and we now have
more than 15,000 more items than we had in 2000. This creates
a space issue, and will challenge us in the future to more ag-
gressively dispose of items that have been through court, or the
cases that were never prosecuted. One way we get rid of items
is through our annual auction, which is held each spring. In
2010, we sold $1,809 in items, including 54 bicycles.
Accountability
Four times each year the Professional Standards Unit conducts a
spot audit of the Evidence Room by requiring the Evidence
Technician to locate and account for a certain number of items.
This quarterly review is coupled with a
full audit of evidence every two years or
any time the evidence custodian changes.
In 2010, an audit was conducted and
showed that all items were accounted for
and there was less than 0.001 percent
clerical error in reporting.
EVIDENCE
IIUENCE EVII
EVIDENCE EVIDENCE EVIDEt
EVIDENCE EVIDENCE EVIDENCE EVIDENCE EVIDENCE
So We A* To
Special Weapons and Tactics
hile day-to-day police work in a civilized society does
not require machine guns and bullet proof helmets, po-
lice occasionally have to respond to very high risk incidents that
require superior firepower. Armed and barricaded subjects, high
-risk search warrants, and arrest warrants for society's most
dangerous criminals generally garner the response of the Spe-
cial Weapons and Tactics team, commonly known as SWAT.
The Paducah Police Department SWAT team is led by Sergeant
Joe Hayes. Sgt. Hayes (top right), a patrol sergeant and an six-
year veteran of the department, served five years in the United
States Marine Corps and worked for the Department of Home-
land Security in Washington, D.C., before joining the PPD in
2004. He also is a Kentucky National Guardsman, and has three
years of service in that capacity, as well as a bachelors degree in
business.
Sergeant Hayes' team consists of two squad leaders, Jason
Montgomery and Lofton Rowley, seven other members, and a
marksman and observer. They report to Captain Mark Roberts,
Administrative Captain of Operations, and they fall under the
Operations Division, which is commanded by Assistant Chief
Brandon Barnhill.
The decision to call the SWAT team into action is based on a
decision-making matrix. The matrix, developed by the
Legal & Liability Risk Management
approved by Kentucky League of Cit
police to consider the type of crime, l
history of the person being sought, ax
of weapons may be accessible to the
before making the decision to use the
of force a SWAT team applies. Each
criteria is scored, and based on
the score, police may or may
utilize the team.
SWAT Team Leader, Sgt. Joe Hayes
To be selected for the SWAT team, officers are required to
pass a higher level of physical fitness standard than regular
officers, pass advanced firearms qualifications, and demon-
strate the ability to handle themselves in the most stressful
types of police incidents.
The team trains twice monthly and usually attends a three-
day training course once a year at a regional military training
facility here in Kentucky. They also spend additional time on
the firing range and are on-call 24 hours a day.
In 2010, the SWAT team was called out three times. Of these
incidents, two were high-risk drug related search warrants
and one was for a barricaded subject, who was armed and
suicidal.
2010 SWAT Team Roster: Joe Hayes, Jason Montgomery,
Lofton Rowley, Nathan Young, James Davis, Matt
Wentworth, James Robbins, Justin Rundles, Jarrett
Woodruff, Chris Baxter, Kevin Crider, and Ryan Conn.
SWAT Medics are: Steve Skipworth and Greg Edwards
33
Bomb Squad Commander, Sgt. Will Gilbert
BOMB SQUAD
Sergeant Will Gilbert has commanded the
Paducah Police Department Bomb Squad since
2004. In that time, he has been instrumental in
securing nearly three-quarters of a million dollars
in grant funding for the unit, which serves a 13
county region in western Kentucky, as well as
surrounding states.
The PPD squad is one of only five in the state,
and only a handful in the nation. The training that
is required is intense and difficult to obtain, and
there are only 23 certified bomb technicians in
the state.
The PPD squad has four technicians, three that are currently certi-
fied and one that is awaiting training. They responded to 35 calls
and conducted 12 civic presentations in 2010.
In addition to the technicians, the PPD Squad has two medics, Dr.
Irvin Smith, the medical director of Mercy Regional Ambulance
Service, and Paramedic Shane Moore, who also works full-time
at Mercy Regional Ambulance. Moore is the only certified Bomb
Squad medic in the state of Kentucky, having attended training
from the International Association of Bomb Technicians and In-
vestigators, specifically for working as a Bomb Medic.
The team trains twice each month, and is required to participate
in one 40 -hour in-service each year. During 2010, the squad was
able to get several new pieces of equipment, including a new
trailer and Andros HD2TM robot, which is used to examine suspi-
cious or known explosive devices rather than sending in a techni-
cian to go hands-on. When they do go hands-on, bomb techni-
cians have to wear one hundred pound suits (pictured left), which
would help protect them from a blast. The robot also can enter
hazardous environments, to prevent injury and avoid technicians
having to suit up in hazardous chemical suits.
"The thing I always try to point out to people is that we are lucky
to have a bomb squad. If we didn't have one, we could have to
wait up to four hours or more, which could mean serious delays
in the service to the community," Gilbert says. If you would like
to know more about the Bomb Squad, email Sgt. Gilbert at—
wgilbert@ci.paducah.ky.us or call 270-444-8555.
crislS Negotiators
Along with SWAT and the Bomb Squad, we also have
trained crisis negotiators. It is a specialized unit that
assists in the event someone barricades themself or takes
others hostage.
Sgt. George Johnson, Officer Brian Kopischke, Detective
Matt Smith, and Officer Melissa Dillon are all trained in the
best practices for handling these difficult situations.
You may think that it's easy to establish communications
with someone, but too often people in these situations are
suffering from mental illness or substance abuse issues.
Sergeant Johnson says to become a negotiator, officers
have to attend a 40 -hour specialized training course, and
three of our negotiators have had an additional 40 -hour
course in advanced crisis negotiation.
"The most difficult part of being a negotiator is simply hav-
ing the patience to deal with people in crisis," Johnson
says. He says when trying to build a rapport with people,
you have to consider not only issues like mental illness and
substance abuse, but also their socioeconomic background
and other factors that may influence how the person per-
ceives the situation, the police presence, and their view of
the world.
To help communicate with barricaded subjects, the
Crisis Negotiation Team has a few tools at their dispos-
al. They have a "throw phone," which is a telephone
capable of being extended up to a thousand feet away,
and they have the ability to tap into a residential phone
line and talk directly into a house from the command
post.
In September 2010, our negotiators attended a profes-
sional training conference in Estes Park, CO, hosted by
the Rocky Mountain Hostage Negotiators, a non-profit
organization that has been hosting professional training
since 1999.
The three-day course focused on everything from deal-
ing with domestic terrorists, to suicidal subjects. John-
son said the conference allowed them to attend differ-
ent seminars relative to negotiation and it was good to
get the additional training.
Negotiators are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a
week to assist the department, and in 2010, they had
two call -outs. They also conduct in-house training
quarterly.
" v
George Johnson
"'I Brian Kopischke
Matt Smith
s • T
DillonMelissa
i I ^
RJ
communi
Chief James Berry was excited to have the department
host its first ever 3 -on -3 Basketball Tournament in
September 2010. Held at Elmwood Court, the "Community
Hoopfest" tournament had 36 participants, mainly local
youth. Berry says, "the basketball program is a vehicle for
getting to know the youth in our community on a proactive
basis, and if you want to reduce crime in a community it's
important to connect with the kids."
Captain Shawn Maxie organized the event, which partnered
with the Paducah Housing Authority and Ronald McDonald
House Charities. The teams were broken down by age brack-
ets, and according to Maxie, all the players received a Com-
munity Hoopfest jersey, pizza and drinks.
Maxie said he hopes this becomes a yearly event, and that
the department can host small tournaments each month
through the summer at different locations throughout town
in 2011. "I think it allows the kids an opportunity to see po-
lice officers in a different light and show our concern for the
community," Maxie says.
Photo (above) courtesy of Captain Shawn Maxie
ty
Chief Berry reports "the police department also is in the process
of developing a Police Athletic League boxing program, and
we're hoping to bring our Law Enforcement Explorer program
back."
Berry says he wants to connect the programs with existing after-
school programs and is hoping to work closely with community
partners like the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club and the
Paducah Parks Depart. He said it's important to see that kids
have something to do, after doing their homework, of course,
which he said was one of his requirements in Connecticut.
"This is part of the community policing concept, and it works,"
Berry says. He believes that it is critical for the department to be
involved and make a connection with the youth in the
community.
36
1_4AVlf�V cmc i ert�c
On Jan. 28, 2010, the men and women of the Paducah
Police Department had the honor and the sorrowful
duty of participating in funeral services for retired Chief of
Police Kermit A. Perdew.
Chief Perdew — Kermit, as he was known to the
men and women of the department — was hired as a rookie
Patrol officer with the Paducah Police Department in
1981. Four years later he became a detective, and joined a
group that was to become one of the most close-knit and
effective investigative units the department had ever seen.
He was promoted to sergeant, and continued serv-
ing in the Detective Division until 1993, when he was
named head of the Western Area Narcotics Team. In Au-
gust 1996, he was promoted to Captain and served as such
until he was promoted to Chief of Police in January 1997.
Kermit took over leadership at a time of upheaval
within the department. There were disciplinary problems
and a negative perception of the department in the commu-
nity.
Kermit began the difficult task of rebuilding the
community's trust in the department, and the department's
faith in itself. He reorganized the department's Emergen-
cy Response Team (now SWAT) and replaced years -old
leather gear for every officer. He over -saw a complete re-
write of the department's Policy and General Order Manu-
al, and began the process of putting video cameras and
Mobile Data Terminal computers in every Patrol Division
cruiser.
-, faftaiwm�, But more than these things
was Kermit's genuine care and con-
cern for the victims he came in contact
with; his dedication to his officers and
civilian staff, and his enduring love for
his wife, Brenda, his son, Jeff, and his
two grandchildren.
During his time as a detective,
Kermit worked tirelessly to provide justice to the victims
and their families — and he never forgot the victims of
those crimes he couldn't solve. As chief, he gave every
decision thoughtful consideration, mulling over the facts
and weighing the consequences of his choices. His deci-
sions might not always have been popular with every
employee, but they always were made with fairness and
the heart -felt belief that they were the best decisions.
When Kermit retired in September 2000, he left
the department as one of the most highly respected
chiefs in its history.
On Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, Kermit collapsed at
his home. He died the following
morning at Lourdes Hospital.
Those officers and civilians who
worked with and for Kermit are
poorer for his loss, but he lives on
through our memories and the
many stories that we tell — stories
of a life well -lived and a death that
came much too soon.
Photo of Kermit Perdew courtesy of WPSD (Paxton Media) —By Robin Newberry
ollecting the history of the Paducah Police Department is
a work in progress, says department historian, Anthony
Hughes. Hughes, a six-year veteran of the
department, was asked to act as historian in late
2009. After several news stories he says "a lot
of people came forward with pictures and
information about the department's past."
According to historical records, it appears that
the city's first town marshal was hired in August of 1834. By Feb-
ruary of 1865, the department ordered its first set of six revolvers.
Hughes says the first mention of putting officers in uniforms dates
to 1891. It's likely that the purchase of the uniforms marked the
city's use of a modern police style force, often attributed to Sir
Robert Peel of England. Peel is credited with developing the first
uniformed version of police, as we think of today. In America, the
idea first took hold between 1840 and 1860.'
The force apparently grew significantly by the turn of the 20th
century, as you can see from the picture at the top of the page,
thought to be from that timeframe. No doubt officers walked their
beats back in those days, and though we have made many changes
over time, the concept and mission remain the same: to protect
and serve the community.
VL
Hughes says since the department's beginning, the PPD has
lost three officers in the line of duty. Calvin Smith, shot in
October of 1893; William Romain, shot in August of 1917;
and William Poore, who reportedly fell to his death in No-
vember of 1928, while crossing the railroad trestle over
Clark's River looking for a suspect.
In conducting his research, Hughes was able to secure a spot
for these officers on the National Law Enforcement Memori-
al in Washington, D.C. Smith and Romain, were added in
2010, and Poore will be added in 2011. Officer Hughes and
Captain Shawn Maxie traveled to D.C. for the memorial cer-
emonies. "The honor of seeing the names added to the wall
was humbling. Knowing I helped memorialize those officers
was one of the highpoints of my career," Hughes said.
In the future we hope to include more of our history on our
website. If you have old photos or information concerning
the history of the PPD, please share it with Officer Hughes.
He can be reached at 270-444-8548, or by email at
ahughes@ci.paducah.ky.us.
1. Geller, W. & Stephens, D. (2003). Local Government Police Management, 4th
ed. ICMA, Washington, D.C. 20002.
38
RESpE\
01
2010