Roanoke County Police department
2010 Annual Report www.roanokecountyva.gov/police
Chief’s Message Without question, the Roanoke County Police Department is among the top law enforcement agencies in the country and it’s our employees who deserve the credit for shaping our agency. In 2010, the department successfully managed another year of budget reductions resulting from the economic downturn. Like many localities, our officers were asked to do “more with less” and each time they stepped up to the challenge. It hasn’t been easy, but with teamwork they found creative ways to keep our essential services intact while preserving as many of our non-essential services as possible. Some of the programs that were trimmed, but not eliminated, include the Citizens Police Academy and COPS Camp for kids.
Ray Lavinder has served as Chief of the Roanoke County Police Department since 1997. In 2010, he led the department through one of its toughest cases - the murder of a mother and search for her missing 12-year-old daughter.
In November 2010, Assistant Police Chief Donna Furrow retired after nearly 30 years of dedicated service with Roanoke County. Chief Furrow was the department’s first female assistant chief and was an excellent leader. Her contributions and years of loyal service will not be forgotten. Chief Furrow’s success has been attributed to many things, but perhaps her two strongest attributes were her ability to collaborate with others and to think like a street cop even in her role as assistant chief. One of her most-noted accomplishments was building an effective relationship between the Police Department and Roanoke County School system. As Superintendent Dr. Lorraine Lange said at the time, “There is no doubt, Donna will be missed.”
In December 2010, we worked one of our most high-profile cases yet when called to investigate the murder of a 41-year-old mother and the abduction of her 12-year-old daughter. The investigation and search required a collaborative effort from multiple law enforcement agencies and public relations professionals as well as the media. The public outreach resulted in the location of both the child and her alleged abductor just five days after the girl was discovered missing. The two were located in San Francisco, California after a woman who saw the story on CNN recognized the girl panhandling outside a grocery store. The Roanoke County Police Department was widely praised for its work on the murder and abduction case. And while other investigations did not garner the national attention and exposure generated by this incident, behind the scenes our employees consistently demonstrate this same level of commitment and excellence in their daily efforts.
Our mission... The Police Department’s mission is to create a safe environment wherein the citizens of Roanoke County are safe in their homes and on their streets. The protection of constitutional rights and the highest level of confidence in the department will be attained through a county-wide coalition of our citizens and department members. This coalition will also confirm that existing services are evaluated in a proper manner. The Roanoke County Police Department commits itself to providing excellent traditional law enforcement services while developing and initiating new and innovative approaches to police services.
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2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
Inside this Report Contents About Our Department..................4 2010 By the Numbers.................... 5 Goals for 2011................................. 6 Criminal Investigations.................... 7 Community Policing ....................... 8 School Resource Officers............... 9 K-9 Officers.................................. 10 Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)...................... 11 Traffic....................................... 12-13 Internal Affairs.............................. 14 Uniform Division........................... 15 Services Division........................... 16 Police Academy.............................17 Employee Recognition............. 18-19 Department Contacts.... Back Cover
CALEA Accredited Agency The Roanoke County Police Department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, which issues standards to help strengthen crime prevention, formalize essential management procedures, establish fair and nondiscriminatory personnel practices, improve the delivery of services, solidify interagency cooperation and coordination, and boost citizen and staff confidence in the agency.
2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
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About Our department Organizational Structure
Visiting Roanoke County’s Police Department The Roanoke County Police Department is headquartered in the Public Safety Center located at 5925 Cove Road, Roanoke, VA, 24019. The building is approximately one-half mile from Electric Road, near Interstate 81. For non-emergencies or to reach a service division, call (540) 562-3265.
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2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
2010 By The Numbers Incidents
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
TOTAL
Homicide
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
0
1
0
1
1
7
Forcible Rape
2
0
4
2
3
1
1
1
3
2
1
1
21
Robbery
0
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
0
0
3
15
Aggravated Assault
3
3
6
5
4
9
6
9
13
4
9
5
76
Simple Assault
57
45
63
54
87
93
75
91
83
95
73
64
880
Burglary
16
16
30
18
21
29
29
23
23
31
23
29
288
Larceny
85
45
80
92
79
122
131
130
119
105
131
90
1,209
Vehicle Theft
2
0
4
3
3
7
9
0
2
3
3
3
39
Arson
2
1
2
1
1
2
0
4
2
2
2
0
19
TOTAL
167
112
190
177
201
266
254
259
247
242
243
196
2,554
Traffic Summons
1,383
1,018
1,463
1,663
1,675
1,504
1,849
1,563
1,457
1,349
1,241
1,066
17,231
Calls for Service*
6,900
5,642
6,907
7,275
7,970
8,050
9,109
8,291
8,111
8,243
7,439
7,258
91,195
*Calls for service reflect and include officer-initiated calls in addition to citizens’ calls for service.
Alarm Calls Received
134
129
123
137
195
185
181
127
138
167
142
224
1,882
Police Response
116
118
112
127
187
175
173
123
126
157
131
213
1,758
Annual Accident Activity Accidents responded - DMV Reportable Calls for Service
1,370
Accidents responded - DMV Non-Reportable Calls for Service
1,542
Other
295
Total Accidents Received in Dispatch
3,207
Four-Year Budget Comparisons Budget Category
Fiscal Year 2008/2009
Fiscal Year 2009/2010
Fiscal Year 2010/2011
Fiscal Year 2011/2012
Personnel
$8,861,079
$9,027,429
$8,972,249
$8,972,249
Operating
$1,194,153
$1,177,255
$1,196,845
$1,196,845
Capital
$868,161
$832,077
$728,404
$728,404
TOTAL
$10,923,393
$ 11,036,761
$10,897,498
$10,897,498
2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
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Goals for 2011 In 2010, the Police Department began the placement of in-car video cameras in some of the marked patrol vehicles. The goal for next year is to expand the program and increase the number of patrol cars with the cameras. It is anticipated that by the end of 2011, more than 66% of marked patrol cars will be equipped with in-car video cameras. These cameras increase the availability of evidence of crimes and traffic offenses through the images they capture. The department received a Homeland Security Grant through the Department of Justice that provides funding for another goal for 2011. The establishment of an Automated License Plate Recognition system will begin in February. Three police vehicles will have license plate readers installed. The information captured from these readers is compared to state and national databases to locate stolen vehicles or vehicles connected to a crime or certain suspects. This program allows the department to keep up-to-date with technology used in the apprehension of criminals. It will also provide a useful tool for crime analysis. During the latter part of 2010, Roanoke County and other nearby localities experienced a sudden increase in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine, which is dangerous and hazardous. A goal for 2011 is to provide training to law enforcement officers that will increase their knowledge of the methods currently used by suspects in the illegal manufacture, transportation, and distribution of methamphetamine. With this training, the Police Department will strive to enhance the enforcement and prosecution of drug offenses.
2011 Goals At A Glance
With the financial crisis facing most government operations, it is imperative that in 2011 all programs and services provided by the Police Department be evaluated in order to determine the most appropriate use of taxpayers’ monies.
• Equip 66% of patrol cars with in-car video cameras.
• Begin implementing Automated License
Plate Recognition systems in patrol cars.
• Increase officer training to help combat the manufacture, distribution and transportation of illegal drugs.
• Continual evaluation of programs to
ensure the greatest budget value while providing for the safety of Roanoke County’s citizens.
• Greater community outreach to individual citizens and citizen groups.
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2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
Criminal Investigations In 2010, the Police Department’s clearance rate for incidents continued to rank well above the national average. Roanoke County’s clearance of violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) was 85.4%, compared to the national average of 47.1%. In addition, the Criminal Investigation Division cleared 36.2% of property crimes (burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft), above the national average of 18.6%. A detective is currently on the waiting list for an opening at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science’s Forensic Academy. Above: More than 100 of the Police department’s officers were called upon to assist with the search for 12-year-old Brittany Mae Smith. Some, but not all, of the officers and The academy trains state and local detectives who assisted with the case are pictured. law enforcement officers across the Commonwealth of Virginia in advanced forensic techniques. It is not uncommon for officers to wait a year or more for an opening. The Roanoke County opening at the forensic academy in 2010 did not materialize but the detective remains on the list for a possible placement in 2011.
Incidents
Assigned
Cleared
Clearance Rate*
Abduction
8
10
125%*
Burglary
158
54
34%
Check Crimes
67
45
67%
Grand Larceny
148
59
40%
Homicide
5
5
100%
Petit larceny
66
18
27%
Malicious Wounding
10
5
50%
Other Offenses
99
47
47%
Rape
21
22
105%*
Robbery
12
4
33%
Sex Crimes (other)
61
60
98%
Suicide
12
12
100%
Vehicle Theft
13
6
46%
White Collar
182
122
67%
Totals
862
469
54%
*Clearance rates in excess of 100% indicate 2009 cases cleared in 2010.
In December 2010, the department worked its most high profile case in recent memory with the Tina Smith murder investigation. After finding the 41-year-old mother dead in her home, police quickly realized her daughter was missing and issued an Amber Alert, fearing 12-year-old Brittany Mae Smith was abducted by her mother’s boyfriend, Jeff Easley. To find Brittany, the department, Public Information Office, and outside agencies managed a communications plan that kept the search in the national news. Five days later a woman who saw the story on CNN recognized Brittany panhandling in California. Four detectives traveled to San Franciso to bring Brittany and Easley back home where the girl was reunited with her family. At the end of December, Easley was in jail on abduction charges with additional charges pending. Roanoke County’s Police Department took the lead on the case, coordinating the efforts of many agencies that contributed to the search, including the FBI, the United States Marshals Service, the Secret Service, the Virginia State Police, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
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Community Policing The Roanoke County Police Department prides itself on its innovative and effective approach to crime prevention through the efforts of its Community Policing Program. Neighborhood Watch: As of December 31, 2010, there were 108 neighborhood watch groups in Roanoke County. This number represented an increase of three groups over the previous year. Business Watch: The business watch program is one of consistency. The number of active members remained at 60. Citizens Police Academy: This program was reinstated in 2010 after being placed on hold for 18 months. There was great interest in seeing the return of the academy, which accepted 20 applicants and graduated 15 people. Public Talks: This program continues to grow each year. It provides an opportunity to speak one-on-one with citizens as well as a platform to address issues and concerns. This allows citizens to put a face with the department and have someone to contact with questions and concerns.
The Community Policing Program provides an innovative and effective approach to crime prevention. In 2010, the department reinstated one of its most popular programs - the Citizens Police Academy.
Project Life Saver: This program continues to be a success as more and more people become aware of its existence. The Police Department collaborated with RVTV to promote Project Lifesaver, increasing community awareness of the program. During 2010, Project Lifesaver presented the option to partner with EmFinders and begin incorporating cell phone technology and new transmitters. Due to cost issues and reception concerns, the department decided to remain with the current technology. At the conclusion of 2010, there were 22 participants in the program.
R.A.D. Classes Rape Aggression Defense In 2010, the Rape Aggression Defense Program (R.A.D.) continued to be a success. The Rape Aggression Defense System is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women. The R.A.D. System is a comprehensive course just for women that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defensive training. The program is generally held weekly for a duration of four weeks. Each session is free and lasts approximately three hours. Female attendees must be over the age of 13; however, those younger than 18 do require parental consent.
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2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
SRO Progr am School Resource Officers (SROs) are an invaluable part of the Roanoke County Police Department. The SRO program is offered in cooperation with Roanoke County Schools. One school resource officer is assigned to each of the County’s high schools. The uniformed SROs are also a presence in all but one of the County’s middle schools. By maintaining a presence in our schools, these officers foster respect for law enforcement and help provide...
• Additional security measures • Crime prevention and investigation • Drug searches in schools During the 2010/2011 school year, the SRO program witnessed a 40% reduction in criminal incidents investigated. The school resource officers provide law enforcement services to the students and staff. The officers also investigate reports of criminal activity that occur on school property as well as incidents reported by school students or staff. The officers are a resource for students and staff and can address concerns involving law enforcement and provide classroom instruction on law enforcement topics.
Above: School Resource Officer Jason Walls conducts a traffic class for a group of high school students.
All school resource officers are trained as instructors for the Class Action program, with teaching materials and curriculum provided by the governor’s office at no charge. SROs oversaw more than 120 classes during the 2010/2011 school year, in addition to their law enforcement duties in schools.
COPS Camp COPS Camp (Challenging Opportunities for Police and Students) is a week-long overnight camp at Camp Roanoke for rising 7th and 8th grade students organized by School Resource Officers. The camp is funded largely by private donations and allows campers to spend a week with officers enjoying fun activities. COPS Camp would not be possible without the support of county schools and the department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Activities include mock crime scenes, high ropes course, archery, hiking, canoeing and other team-building exercises.
2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
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K-9 Officers In 2010, the Roanoke County Police Department included two multi-purpose K-9s and one specialized K-9. Euro and Zeke are trained in narcotics detection and tracking. K-9 Euro is a patrol dog that can also be used in criminal apprehension, while K-9 Zeke is a passive tracking dog that may be utilized to track missing or lost individuals. K-9 Alto is trained in explosive detection.
2010 K-9 Officer Activities Activities
Searches
Results
Drug Searches
84
34
Firearms Searches
0
0
Explosives Searches
7
0
Persons (tracking)
8
1
Totals
99
35
At right: Officer Ricky Moore is pictured with his dog, Euro, one of the department’s K-9s. The officers and K-9s often develop a close bond over the course of time.
K-9 2011 Goals •
Expand the K-9 program with the addition of one multipurpose patrol dog.
•
Ongoing training in narcotics detection and criminal apprehension/tracking.
•
The possibility of retiring K-9 Alto at some point in 2011 will be explored.
•
The department will not seek to replace the explosives detection K-9.
At left: Officer Wes Campbell is pictured with his dog, Alto. The department hopes to expand the K-9 program in the near future.
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2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
SWAT The Roanoke County Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team consists of 16 members from various divisions within the agency. SWAT is an elite tactical unit, trained to perform high-risk operations. SWAT team duties include: performing hostage rescues and counterterrorism operations, serving high risk arrest and search warrants, subduing barricaded suspects, and engaging heavily-armed criminals. SWAT teams are often equipped with specialized firearms, riot control agents, and stun grenades. SWAT members use specialized equipment including heavy body armor, ballistic shields, entry tools, armored vehicles, advanced night vision optics, and motion detectors for covertly determining the positions of hostages or hostage takers inside enclosed structures.
“The Roanoke County Police Department recognizes the value of its employees in delivering quality police services to the citizens of Roanoke County. It recognizes that our officers’ experience, intellect, education and training are great assets to both the department and to each citizen of Roanoke County.”
Below: SWAT team members routinely receive advanced firearms training at the County’s Firearms Range. In addition, SWAT members receive training in hostage rescues and negotiations, counter-terrorism operations and riot control methods.
2010 SWAT Activities In 2010, three new members were added to replace three departing members of the team. SWAT responded to the following calls in 2010...
•
One call involving barricade/hostage rescue,
•
Two calls for attempted suicide,
•
Five high-risk warrant services with two of these conducted simultaneously during a single call.
2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
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Tr affic Education During 2010, Roanoke County’s Traffic Unit provided 22 “Why Math Matters” presentations in Roanoke County High Schools. The “Why Math Matters” program was developed by the unit to provide traffic safety presentations in math, physics, and drivers education classes by showing the inherent dangers of risky driving in a format appropriate for each classroom discipline. The unit also continued a program with Roanoke County Schools called “Partnering for the Privilege,” a presentation conducted at each County high school for driver education students and their parents. Over the past year, the traffic unit performed more than 24 presentations with its impaired driving simulator. The vehicle is The “Impaired Driving Cart” is one of the most popular tools used to teach students and a golf cart with police car graphics that adults how driving under the influence impacts a person’s ability to keep control behind the wheel of a vehicle. is driven through a traffic cone course by drivers wearing “Fatal Vision” goggles. The presentations ranged in size from a class of 30 driver education students to hundreds of participants at the Vinton Fall Festival. Due to the popularity of this hands-on demonstration, the unit also conducted several events at safety fairs for local area businesses and health fairs for local churches. In 2010, the traffic unit conducted several mock crashes and related presentations with its crashed car and air bag simulator. Donated by State Farm Insurance in 2007, the crash car and an enclosed car hauler have proved useful and convenient during the unit’s mock car crashes performed at high schools. The air bag sled, which consists of a steel frame surrounding a seat from a vehicle with a mount for air bags, has proved a great tool to further promote the use of seat belts and child seats by showing audiences the force involved with an air bag deployment.
Sgt. T. Wyatt is pictured talking with Roanoke County high school students about the dangers of unsafe driving.
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Several of the traffic safety presentations performed during 2010 involved the use of all three of these tools -- golf cart, air bag sled, and crashed car. The traffic unit performed such events throughout southwest Virginia, including two presentations attended by several hundred students at the Rocky Mount CATCE center. Another large-scale event was held at the Arnold R. Burton Vocational School in Salem for students in the justice and auto mechanic programs.
2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
Tr affic Safety The Roanoke County Police Department’s Traffic Unit continued oversight of the “Daily Watch” program in which a secondary road is targeted each day for radar enforcement. This element of the program has greatly reduced the number of speeding complaints received by the department since its inception in 2005. The second part of the program, sobriety and license checkpoints, also continues to be a success. In 2010, 32 sobriety checkpoints and 27 license checkpoints were held. The department continues to conduct more checkpoints than any other agency in Southwest Virginia and has been called upon to present and train other agencies in the operation of checkpoints. The department plans to conduct 30 sobriety and 24 license checkpoints in 2011.
As part of the “Daily Watch” program, 32 sobriety checkpoints and 27 license checkpoints were conducted in 2010. Roanoke County conducts more roadside checkpoints than any other agency in Southwest Virginia.
The department’s motor carrier certified officers conducted 454 level-one inspections and seven walk around inspections during 2010 which led to 155 vehicles being placed out of service for serious safety violations.
During 2010, the traffic unit conducted 23 speed surveys throughout the County. Most of the surveys were conducted with the department’s two speed trailers, one of which has an onboard computer to store the time and speed of vehicles passing through. This trailer offers a highly visible speed display to alert the driver, along with emergency lights that turn on when a programmed speed is violated. Most of the high profile surveys were conducted during the span of a week or more in order to reduce the instances of speeding on the road and to allow more accurate times of speeding offenses to be gathered for later enforcement by officers. Some of the speed surveys were conducted with the department’s three covert speed measuring devices. These devices allowed the unit to conduct speed surveys without drivers noticing, allowing a more accurate survey to be conducted. Once these surveys are examined, officers are notified of the days of the week and times of most speeding offenses to allow a more effective use of patrol hours for enforcement. During 2011, the unit hopes to conduct at least 45 speed surveys.
2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
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Internal Affairs The department strives to ensure that it offers Roanoke County citizens the most professional police force possible. To that end, the department examines the actions of employees who are involved in complaints of misconduct. Although the delivery of some police services is not always welcome by those associated with an event, the department expects employee interactions with the public to be professional. The department takes a proactive approach to investigating all complaints made against members of the department. The information included in this report is a reflection of activity from the period beginning January 1, 2010 and ending December 31, 2010. A single complaint/ investigation may involve more than one officer; thus, there may be multiple outcomes for a single investigation. Six complaints were registered against agency members in 2010. The average time needed to complete an investigation was 10 days, with the shortest investigation completed in four days and the longest taking 25 days. In 2010, there were two written reprimands and two suspensions involving personnel; these actions were unrelated to any internal investigation. These arose as a performance or work related matter and not a policy violation. Meanwhile, 40 employees were commended for their performance or activities related to their assignments.
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Nature of Complaints
Total Reported
Improper Traffic Stop
1
Insurance Fraud
1
Drunk in Public Arrest
1
Malfeasance
1
Conduct Unbecoming
1
Cooperation-Evidence Handling
1
Totals
6
Outcomes of Complaints
Totals
Sustained Complaints
2
Not Sustained Complaints
4
Under Investigation/Outcome Pending Totals
Outcomes of Sustained Complaints
0 6
Totals
Resignation
1
Suspension and Demotion
1
Totals
2
2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
Uniform Division When citizens interact with the Police Department they have most likely been in contact with a patrol officer. In 2010, the officers handled a total of 91,195 calls for service – approximately 6,500 more calls than were handled in the previous year. These calls range from vandalism, theft and simple assault, to the more violent crimes against individuals. The department strives to provide each caller with respect, compassion, and a willingness to resolve the issue regardless of the call type. Throughout the fiscal year, the department continued with the implementation of in-car cameras for uniform patrol officers. The goal is to have nearly two-thirds of the department’s marked patrol cars The Roanoke County Police Department’s budget provides for 140 sworn equipped with in-car video cameras by the end of officers and 13 civilian positions. 2011. The cameras afford an enhanced level of accountability for both the officer and the community. A dual lens system allows for images in front of the car to be captured as well as the rear prisoner transport area. In addition to responding to citizen calls for service (reports of larcenies, burglaries, assaults, etc.), members of the uniform division engage in a variety of self-initiated activities. In 2010, members of the department initiated 28,687 vehicle stops, 15,281 building checks, and checked on 2,156 disabled vehicles, with the majority of this work carried out by uniformed officers assigned to patrol. Uniform officers also served 3,486 arrest warrants during the fiscal year. All of these numbers represent increases over the previous year.
Community Service Officers During 2010, the Police Department’s Community Services Unit handled 3,056 calls compared to 2,789 in 2009. A break-down of the calls handled revealed 2,512 community service officer calls, 257 wildlife calls, and 287 police calls - most of which were in a support role for the road officers. The community service officers also captured 878 at-large animals, which were either returned to their owner or transported to the shelter for holding. As of December 31, 2010, the community services unit had 11 dogs on the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry. Each dog was deemed dangerous in 2010 or earlier and the officers remained responsible for oversight of the initial and yearly registration of each. The property of each dog owner was inspected to ensure compliance with Virginia’s regulations for keeping a dangerous dog.
2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
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Services Division The Police Department’s Services Division is the record keeping and processing center of the Roanoke County Police department. Each year, staff processes thousands of documents, produces reports for state and federal programs, and handles Freedom of Information requests received by the department.
2010 Service Division Activities At A Glance
In addition, Services Division staff also maintains mobile computer terminals in patrol cars and other key technologies that keep officers connected with the information they need each day.
Arrests processed (juveniles)
349
Emergency Custody & Temporary Detention orders served
215
Total Protective Orders
455
In 2010, the department improved its data sharing capabilities with the implementation of the Roanoke Area Criminal Justice Information program. The program, referred to as Memex, uses software to download and share data offense reports and information among localities. Current partners include the cities of Roanoke and Salem, and the towns of Pulaski and Vinton.
Concealed Weapons Permits processed
Cases reported and processed
6,058
Reported traffic crashes
1,244
Summonses entered and processed Arrests processed (adults)
15,991 3,875
1,034
Background checks requested
501
Insurance requests processed
1,143
Parking citations
246
During 2010, the Services Division also worked to install in-car cameras in 45 vehicles, and trained a newly hired part-time records clerk. Members of the Records section are also cross-trained in all aspects of the unit in an effort to continually improve efficiency.
Above: The Services Division, with the assistance of the Communications and Information Technology Department (CommIT), is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and upkeep of the mobile computer terminals in patrol cars. Left: The Services Division handles record keeping for the Police Department. One of the responsibilities includes keeping track of the number of adults and juveniles arrested.
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2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
Police Academy Established in 2007, the Roanoke County Criminal Justice Academy (RCCJA) has emerged as a premier training resource in the Roanoke Valley and beyond. In 2010, the academy hosted more than 30 in-service training seminars, four basic classes, and exceeded 30,000 man-hours of training. In addition, academy staff developed and offered online courses to provide agencies and students a more flexible learning environment. The academy staff works closely with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to ensure that instructional methods and materials equip students with the essential skills, knowledge, and abilities to manage and successfully overcome the challenges they may face in the work environment. Along with classroom and physical training, academy recruits receive practical hands-on training at Roanoke County’s Firearms Training Center (above) and at the County’s nearby Laurel Mountain Driver Training Center (left).
Academy Graduations
Classes
Graduates
Basic Jailor
3
22
Basic Law Enforcement
1
8
Basic Dispatch
1
8
2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
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Employee Recognition Uniform Division Officer of the Year: Police Officer II Mike Christian Police Officer II Christian was nominated by his peers for the Uniform Officer of the Year Award. Officer Christian was promoted to Police Officer II in May 2010 and assigned to midnight shift. Officer Christian has helped new officers with complex investigations both during field training and afterward. He was nominated because of his enthusiasm about enforcement of traffic and DUI laws and his desire to train new officers. Officer Christian’s DUI arrests are the highest on his shift.
Special Operations Officer of the Year: Officer David Tribble
Above: Police Chief Ray Lavinder (left) with Police Officer II Mike Christian.
Officer Tribble was selected by his peers as the 2010 Special Operations Officer of the Year. Officer Tribble arrested 10 DUI drivers, issued 588 traffic summonses, obtained 25 warrants, and served 30 warrants. Officer Tribble is an asset to the Special Operations Unit and often teaches classes in the academy. Officer Tribble investigated a three-car double fatality on Challenger Avenue. He led the investigation and was able to determine the speed of the suspect’s vehicle and verify it through multiple means. Speed determination in major crashes can be difficult; he was able not only to determine the speed but also validate it by two other methods.
Rookie of the Year: Officer Daniel Ayers Officer Ayers is the Police Department’s 2010 Rookie Officer of the Year. Officer Ayers started with the Police Department in 2009. Officer Ayers was hired to fill a patrol position in the department; however, he was approached during his time in the academy and asked if he would be willing to fill a vacancy as a community service officer. Officer Ayers agreed to take this position and in 2010 responded to 591 calls for service; of these calls 439 were community service officer calls and 107 were police calls. This high number of police calls demonstrated Officer Ayers commitment to the department not only in his assignment as a community service officer but to the overall welfare of the citizens of Roanoke County. Officer Ayers has the same responsibilities as other young officers, while also being required to take on the role of community service officer, many times dealing with citizens who do not know or understand his role in the department.
Above: Police Chief Ray Lavinder (left) with Officer David Tribble.
Above: Officer Daniel Ayers was training with the Army National Guard and was unable to attend the awards ceremony with Chief Lavinder.
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2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
Employee Recognition Leadership Award: Sgt. Mark Jervis Sgt. Mark Jervis has been with the Roanoke County Police Department since September 1990. He is currently assigned as a sergeant on the daylight shift. Sgt. Jervis was nominated by members of the department for outstanding leadership in 2010. One member stated, “Sgt. Jervis, whether on or off duty, is always willing to take a call from you and help you get in the right direction. He goes the extra mile.”
Civilian Of the Year: Kellee Johnson Kellee Johnson has been with the department since 2001. She currently works in the services division as a Records Technician II. Kellee was nominated by her peers for the 2010 award. Kellee demonstrates exemplary initiative and dedication to not only her own work but to that of the entire department. She is recognized around the office as a genuine team player with tremendous work ethic and ability to quickly complete any task assigned to her. Kellee’s organizational skills, efficiency, and quality of work are outstanding.
Above: Police Chief Ray Lavinder (left) with Sgt. Mark Jervis.
Criminal Investigations Detective of the Year: Detective Neil Gardner Detective Gardner was selected by his peers as the 2010 Detective of the Year. Detective Gardner has served the department since 2003 and is assigned to the Special Investigations Unit of CID. Detective Gardner was temporarily assigned to this position in April 2010 for two months, but chose to remain with the unit after that time. The Special Investigations Unit investigates crimes against children and sexual assault crimes.
Above: Police Chief Ray Lavinder (left) with Kellee Johnson.
Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards Each month, the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce recognizes the work of one of Roanoke County’s police officers. Chamber of Commerce Awards for 2010 Jan-Feb. Officer Torres Mar-Apr. Officer Vaughn May-June Officer Tribble Jul-Aug. Detective Goodman Sep.-Oct. Officer Torzewski Nov.-Dec. Officer Finney Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce 2010 Officer of the Year: Police Officer II Mike Vaughn Above: Police Chief Ray Lavinder (left) with Detective Neil Gardner.
2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report
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department Contacts Dial 911 for Emergencies For Non-Emergencies, call (540) 562-3265.
Services and Division Directory www.roanokecountyva.gov/police Administration
(540) 777-8601
Animal Control
(540) 777-8606
Crime Prevention Specialist
(540) 777-8651
Criminal Investigations
(540) 777-8641
Dispatch Non-Emergency
(540) 562-3265
Evidence Vault/Property Room (540) 777-8616 Professional Standards Unit
(540) 777-8680
Records Unit
(540) 777-8605
School Services Unit
(540) 777-8647
Traffic Unit
(540) 777-8649
Uniform Division
(540) 777-8610
Vice Unit
(540) 777-8624
Warrants
(540) 777-8617
Roanoke County Police Department Command Staff Chief of Police..................................................... Ray Lavinder Operations Assistant Chief..........................Donna L. Furrow Administrative Assistant Chief.................Terrell L. Holbrook Criminal Investigations Lieutenants Harold W. Ewers
Ralph C. Mason
Administrative Lieutenants
Uniform Division Lieutenants
James A. Chapman
Keith B. Smith
David G. McMillan
Scott H. Smith
Stephen B. Turner
Curtis M. Viar
Michael L. Williams
Michael J. Warner
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2010 Roanoke County Police Department Annual Report