Post by Chuck McCue on Dec 6, 2022 10:53:31 GMT -5
From COJBPD Chief Gene Paul Smith:
"All,
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday. We remained busy in November both administratively and operationally.
I am happy to announce our department has been reaccredited for the ninth time. I cannot overstate how important this program is to us. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) verifies that we meet the highest standards in law enforcement and conform to national industry standards. We are reaccredited every three years after enduring an extensive examination by independent CALEA assessors on all aspects of our operations. Out of some 18,000 local and state agencies nationwide, only about 883 (1%) are accredited. We have maintained accreditation for 27 years now.
I am happy to announce Citizen Police Academy (CPA) Class 47 graduated this month. This the largest CPA class since before COVID (25 graduates), and we will be holding another class in the spring. We also had 8 graduates sign up for the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (CPAAA). This is great news because we draw volunteers for our nationally recognized volunteer program from these classes.
See the attached photos regarding Sanibel Island which were taken this week, and it has been approximately 3 MONTHS since Hurricane Ian made landfall there. No electricity. No infrastructure. No residents. No businesses open. We currently have officers deployed there and will for the next month. Volunteer officers are on a 7-day rotation, and we are currently on the second week. Three weeks ago the Florida Police Chief’s Association (FPCA) sent a desperate call to all members to request officers for relief of the beleaguered Sanibel Police Department who had been operating for two months with little relief. The FPCA wanted to send the message that if this disaster happens to other cities, they will not be forgotten! Agencies from all over the state stepped up, and we are currently deployed with Orlando, Altamonte Springs, St. Petersburg, Ft. Walton Beach, and Port St. Lucie Police Departments. Please remember these residents, city workers, and our police officers over the holidays.
Senior Corporal Morris Ingle received the department’s second highest and rarely issued Distinguished Service Award (see photo). The award is issued for an act that involves significant risk to the life of an employee. Corporal Ingle responded to a suicidal person threatening to jump off of the Beach Boulevard Bridge. As the subject was releasing her grip on the railing and was beginning to fall, Corporal Ingle rushed forward to the railing, leaned over the railing, and grabbed and saved the subject. It should be noted, a few weeks after the incident, the subject came to the station to personally thank Corporal Ingle for saving her life. She stated she was going through a tough time, and she is in counseling and doing much better.
We hired four officers (see photo) in November, which makes us fully staffed with officers. This is definitely the exception when national trends are examined. We have three vacant communications officers (dispatch) positions, but every other position in the agency has been filled (including our second animal control officer!).
The City declared an emergency for Hurricane Nicole (see photo), and we instituted emergency operations for a 24-hour period. We experienced moderate tidal flooding and serious beach erosion. All City staff did an outstanding job as usual!
Officer Gray and K-9 Bear participated in a K9 competition in Jacksonville in November (see photo).
Chief Gene Paul N. Smith"
"All,
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday. We remained busy in November both administratively and operationally.
I am happy to announce our department has been reaccredited for the ninth time. I cannot overstate how important this program is to us. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) verifies that we meet the highest standards in law enforcement and conform to national industry standards. We are reaccredited every three years after enduring an extensive examination by independent CALEA assessors on all aspects of our operations. Out of some 18,000 local and state agencies nationwide, only about 883 (1%) are accredited. We have maintained accreditation for 27 years now.
I am happy to announce Citizen Police Academy (CPA) Class 47 graduated this month. This the largest CPA class since before COVID (25 graduates), and we will be holding another class in the spring. We also had 8 graduates sign up for the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (CPAAA). This is great news because we draw volunteers for our nationally recognized volunteer program from these classes.
See the attached photos regarding Sanibel Island which were taken this week, and it has been approximately 3 MONTHS since Hurricane Ian made landfall there. No electricity. No infrastructure. No residents. No businesses open. We currently have officers deployed there and will for the next month. Volunteer officers are on a 7-day rotation, and we are currently on the second week. Three weeks ago the Florida Police Chief’s Association (FPCA) sent a desperate call to all members to request officers for relief of the beleaguered Sanibel Police Department who had been operating for two months with little relief. The FPCA wanted to send the message that if this disaster happens to other cities, they will not be forgotten! Agencies from all over the state stepped up, and we are currently deployed with Orlando, Altamonte Springs, St. Petersburg, Ft. Walton Beach, and Port St. Lucie Police Departments. Please remember these residents, city workers, and our police officers over the holidays.
Senior Corporal Morris Ingle received the department’s second highest and rarely issued Distinguished Service Award (see photo). The award is issued for an act that involves significant risk to the life of an employee. Corporal Ingle responded to a suicidal person threatening to jump off of the Beach Boulevard Bridge. As the subject was releasing her grip on the railing and was beginning to fall, Corporal Ingle rushed forward to the railing, leaned over the railing, and grabbed and saved the subject. It should be noted, a few weeks after the incident, the subject came to the station to personally thank Corporal Ingle for saving her life. She stated she was going through a tough time, and she is in counseling and doing much better.
We hired four officers (see photo) in November, which makes us fully staffed with officers. This is definitely the exception when national trends are examined. We have three vacant communications officers (dispatch) positions, but every other position in the agency has been filled (including our second animal control officer!).
The City declared an emergency for Hurricane Nicole (see photo), and we instituted emergency operations for a 24-hour period. We experienced moderate tidal flooding and serious beach erosion. All City staff did an outstanding job as usual!
Officer Gray and K-9 Bear participated in a K9 competition in Jacksonville in November (see photo).
Chief Gene Paul N. Smith"