Fresno police officer fights to give back

One day, a police officer saw a boy sitting under a tree near Dailey Elementary School. He decided to check on him and saw the boy’s legs were bleeding.

The officer could not have known this, but in his short life, the boy had already been beaten to mush and whipped across the back and burned with scalding water. At home, he lived with drugs and felons. He had been both ignored and molested.

That morning, his mother’s boyfriend had beaten his legs with a belt buckle, and it hurt too much for him to keep walking. He was on the way to kindergarten.

“To this day, I still wonder who that policeman was,” says Bryan Williams. “But that was 1976. There weren’t computers. I can’t look up the records to see who called it in.”

Read more/pic here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/07/24/2017853/fresno-police-officer-fights-to.html#ixzz0upmZFsPa

Sheriff’s Office announces promotions

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd recently announced several promotions within the Sheriff’s Office.

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These positions were created as a result of several retirements throughout the agency, most notable is Chief of Staff Gary Hester, who is retiring after a 31-year career with PCSO.

Hester has also been selected as the new Police Chief of the Winter Haven Police Department.

The following members will be promoted during a ceremony at 9 a.m. Friday in the training/Procap room of the Sheriff’s Operations Center, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd, Winter Haven:

Deputy Sheriffs Matthew Beebe, Larry Davis, Theresa Edmiston, and Ian Rylott will be promoted to the ranks of law enforcement sergeants.

Law Enforcement Sergeants Julio Lima and Mary Martin will be promoted to the ranks of law enforcement lieutenants.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

Tweeting cops create goodwill

BART Police Commander Dan Hartwig stood in a Walnut Creek gas station as discreetly as he could for a man as tall as Mount Diablo. Square-jawed, buffed, he seemed the icon of the old-school super cop.

He watched stoically as competing rallies across the street argued over the professional soul of his former colleague Johannes Mehserle. The two groups screamed at each other in 90-plus-degree heat, with some nasty insults aimed at the very authority Hartwig represents.

“We’re here for the right reason,” he said, acknowledging that he shouldn’t be talking about it. “We’re here to support the city of Walnut Creek and anyone else who needs our help.” Including officers in and out of uniform who were rallying for Mehserle or were on crowd-control duty. “At the same time, it’s very emotional. Until you walk in a police officer’s shoes and experience what it’s like … All the things you think are easy … are difficult.”

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/25/EDPG1EIMLK.DTL#ixzz0upkZ6J8v

Michigan State Police honored

The Department of Defense has announced that the Michigan State Police will receive the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their support of their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.

The State Police was selected as one of only 15 employers from across the nation to receive the 2010 Freedom Award.Almost 2,500 Guard and Reserve members, or their family members, from across the country nominated employers for exceptional support, which included providing full salary, continuation of benefits, care packages nd even family support to employees fulfilling their military obligation.

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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.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE/PIC HERE

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.

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/07/22/policeman-blinded-by-raoul-moat-says-he-s-not-bitter-115875-22430471/#ixzz0upgjI6zC

Marco the Olive Branch K-9 has turned in badge after long career

No more sniffing cocaine. No more facing down people with guns and knives. Life will be all about a beloved rope toy, dog treats and a scratch behind the ears.

Marco, Olive Branch’s longtime K-9 cop, has retired. Sgt. Michael Gibbs, his most recent handler, is purchasing him from the city for $1.

His replacement arrived earlier this month in the form of the similarly named Marko, a 15-month-old Belgian Malinois.

Law enforcement agencies typically retire dogs younger than the 101/2 -year-old Marco, also a Belgian Malinois. Gibbs said Marco still had a lot of spunk but deserved a rest.

“He loved to go to the hot calls,” Gibbs said. “He could tell by radio traffic. He’d get wound up, ready to go.”

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE/PIC HERE



Sheriff’s Office Gets New K9 Officer

The Travis County Sheriff’s Office received a new addition to its team on Friday. Sutton is a dog that was rescued by the Austin German Sheppard Rescue Association.

Sutton was with a foster family who thought the dog would work well in law enforcement.

He will have to go through training. The Sheriff’s Department said he will work in narcotics because of his skills and drive.

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Mayor Promotes JPD Lieutenant To Head Police Department

Lt. Harry Snellings accepts the nomination for police chief and director of public safety at a news conference with Mayor Sam Teresi on Friday. P-J photo by Robert?Rizzuto

With City Council approval pending, the Jamestown Police Department is set to take a new direction under the leadership of one of its own decorated and experienced officers.

Ending a four-month period of speculation and bids for the job, Mayor Sam Teresi appointed Lt. Harry Snellings as the new police chief and director of public safety Friday afternoon.

“As I stand here before you today, I have just wrapped up one of the most difficult processes in my tenure as mayor of the city of Jamestown,” Teresi said at a news conference Friday. “The selection process was extremely challenging and difficult, and in the end, I had to tell many of my longtime friends that despite their great qualifications, I decided to go with someone else.”

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE