Palm Bay police start reserve force
Faced with potential budget shortfalls and retiring officers, the Palm Bay Police Department plans to use young recruits such as Mat Sheppard to build a new crime-fighting reserve force.
The caveat: the 23-year-old and his fellow reservists can make arrests and patrol the streets but without pay or benefits.
“It’s normal to be nervous,” said Sheppard, a former retail salesman and Brevard County Law Enforcement graduate readying for the reserve force with intensive training.
“But this is a stepping stone to getting a job.”
The agency’s move to form a 20-member reserve unit of uniformed officers comes as police departments across the country look for creative ways to battle budget woes.
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Police ‘Ride to Remember’ fallen officers
The Ride to Remember began six years ago with about 120 motorcycles. Currently, the police event has grown to about 900 men and women.
The bike ride kicked off on the West Side at Area 4 police headquarters Sunday. It’s purpose is to raise money for the families of police officers killed in the line of duty.
“It’s especially very moving because two days ago, we buried one of our own,” said Phil Cline of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation.
Officer Michael Bailey was Chicago’s third officer killed by gun violence in the past two months.
“Since I’ve been here, we’ve had nine officers killed in the line of duty, which is tough. But when it’s compressed in a two-month period, it drains the life out of you,” said police Supt. Jody Weis.
READ ENTIRE ARTICLE/VIDEO HERE
Policeman blinded by Raoul Moat says he’s not bitter
His life was changed for ever in the most brutal fashion at the hands of crazed killer Raoul Moat.
Yet PC David Rathband yesterday announced he felt no bitterness towards the cowardly gunman who left him blinded with a blast to the face.
And as he left hospital just 17 days after being shot, the brave officer vowed Moats horrific attack would not destroy him. He pledged to return to the job he loves even if an operation to restore some of his sight fails.
The 42-year-old also told how he was happy Moat died knowing he had failed in his bloody mission to kill a cop. Dad-of-two David said: I am angry that he took my sight and angry he shot me but not bitter towards him as an individual.
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