Cops In N.J. Town Given Keys To Homes

It’s a novel program designed to improve the safety of senior citizens in New Jersey.

The program would allow police quick access into a home to help anyone having a medical emergency – without having the break down the door.

Marilyn Chesner is a retired music teacher and a widow. Living alone, the 79-year-old recently had a close call.

“I was standing there, and next thing I know I was on the floor,” Chesner said.

That moment – passing out in the bathroom – made her think about things.

“I wondered what would happen if something happened, and I couldn’t get out of bed or move. How could someone get into the house?” Chesner said.

That’s why the grandmother was the first person to join “Operation Blue Angel” run by the Franklin Township Police Department.

Now Chesner has a lockbox with a spare key inside, similar to the one realtors use, which allows police to get into her home in the event of an emergency.

“Hopefully I will never need them, but it does give me an extra sense of security,” Chesner said.

The lockbox has a combination that opens up the compartment with the spare key. Police first knock on the door, and if they don’t get a response, they unlock the door and go in.

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Springetts police lobby for K-9 dog

He deals with drunks and thieves and killers.

Like others in law enforcement, Springettsbury Township Police Officer Bill Polizzotto has seen the worst of humanity during his 15-year career. But as a police dog handler, Polizzotto says his former K-9 partner, Ike, brought humor to the otherwise stressful job.

The German shepherd also was key in numerous arrests, narcotics searches and criminal tracking endeavors. But Ike retired at the beginning of this year, and now the department is lobbying township officials for his replacement.

Three-year-old Petro, another German shepherd, is trained and awaits assignment in the township.

Wal-Mart has offered to sponsor the dog, providing food and other necessities.

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K-9 program faces overhaul

The Alameda Police Department is looking to revamp its K-9 program following the resignation of its longtime, in-house trainer.

Lt. Paul Rolleri said that after 13 years, Officer Henry Guillen was simply ready to do something new. Rolleri said that when Guillen leaves the training position at the end of this week, he’ll go back to patrol.

Rolleri was quick to stress that Guillen’s departure was not the result of an administrative review the department had been doing after a dog in the program attacked an officer and was shot and killed, in December 2009.

“It’s not a situation that he was forced out because of the review. He just wanted to do other things,” said Alameda Police Lt. Paul Rolleri, who conducted the review. He called Guillen “a well-respected trainer with a lot of experience.”

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Lombardo named Trooper of the Year

The International Association of Chiefs of Police has named trooper Robert Lombardo of the state police Swiftwater barracks as the 2010 IACP/Motorola Trooper of the Year.

Troopers are nominated by their comrades and those nominations are submitted to the IACP, which then reviews information about each nominee before deciding whom will be named Trooper of the Year.

One of four finalists chosen from state and provincial police agencies in the U.S. and Canada, Lombardo was honored at a March 12 ceremony in Alexandria, Va. The other finalists were from Alabama, Michigan and California.

On June 7, 2009, Lombardo, fellow state trooper Joshua Miller and other police were led on a high-speed chase that ended on Route 611, just south of Coolbaugh Elementary Center in Coolbaugh Township. Police boxed in a car driven by Daniel Autenrieth, 31, of Palmer Township, who had a gun and his kidnapped 9-year-old son with him in the car.

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NH state police head confirmed

There’s a new person in charge of New Hampshire’s state police.

The Executive Council on Wednesday confirmed Capt. Robert Quinn of Seabrook as colonel of the state police. He succeeds Col. Frederick Booth, who is retiring.

Quinn was promoted to captain in 2007 overseeing all administrative, personnel and enforcement matters for Troops A and E, which cover Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll counties.

He joined the State Police as a trooper in 1985.

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75th Anniversary for Arkansas State Polic

Three Arkansas State Troopers were presented prestigious departmental awards today during ceremonies to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Department of Arkansas State Police.

The Chrisp – Carter bill, officially filed as Amended Act 120 of the 1935 Arkansas General Assembly, was adopted by both houses and signed into law on March 19th by Governor J.M. Futrell. Governor Futrell’s grandson, Arkansas State Police Commissioner, Daniel “Woody” Futrell of Nashville (Howard County) is currently serving his 17th year as a State Police Commissioner.

The departmental awards presented today were:

Arkansas State Trooper of the Year
Special Agent Kevin Brown, 31, of Van Buren County. Agent Brown is a five-year veteran of the department and is presently assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division, Company E, headquartered at Harrison.

In addition to the Trooper of the Year Award bestowed on Agent Brown, he was also the recipient today of the Arkansas State Police Medal of Valor. The award is presented for extraordinary acts of valor and gallantry that clearly sets the individual apart from other commissioned personnel.

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