Merriam Police Annual Report, 2017

MERRIAM POLICE 2017 Annual Report

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | 1

CONTENTS 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 9 10

BUDGET REPORT FORFEITURE REPORT CRIME STATISTICS PATROL DIVISION INVESTIGATIONS MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES POLICE TRAINING OFFICERS AT WORK OFFICER OF THE YEAR NEW IN 2017 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

MESSAGE FROM

THE CHIEF Merriam Residents,

Thank you for your interest in the Merriam Police Department. I hope you enjoy reading this short account of the excellent work done by your Merriam police officers.

The year was a little challenging; in June we started a construction project to improve the police station. To facilitate the construction, we moved our patrol division to the Irene B. French Community Center and detectives and records clerks to the community room in City Hall. I would like to thank city hall and community center staff for their hospitality.

The police station improvements are greatly appreciated. We were able to improve our heating and air conditioning system, increase the size and efficiency of the property room, and expand our locker room. Thank you, City Council and residents of Merriam for your support.

Our officers continued working in the community and supporting Special Olympics as well as each other throughout the year.

Look at this report, and you will find our officers are well trained, and ready to protect you and your property. Officers are guided by our core values of courage, sacrifice, and compassion when providing the Merriam community with professional, ethical, and compassionate law enforcement.

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your chief of police.

Sincerely,

Michael Daniels Chief of Police PATROL COMMANDER Major Darren McLaughlin INVESTIGATIONS COMMANDER Captain Troy Duvanel SUPPORT SERVICES COMMANDER Captain Todd Allen Follow us on social media: T WIT TER: @MerriamPolice and @MerriamPDChief | FACEBOOK: @MerriamPolice | merriam.org/MPD 2 | MERRIAM POLICE DEPARTMENT

BUDGET

EXPENSE REPORT

In 2017, Merriam's total police budget was $3,934,734. This amount included all projected costs of personnel, contractual services, commodities, and capital outlay purchases. Of the total budget, the police department spent $3,803,403 including $3,483,660 for employee salaries and benefits. Below is a breakdown of expenditures by major categories.

PERSONNEL This budget item includes salaries and benefits.

B U D G E T E D: $3,525,499

S PE N T: $3,483,660

PE R C E N T O F B U D G E T S PE N T: 98.8%

CONTRACTUAL SERVICES This budget item includes utilities, equipment rental and repair, custodial services, training expenses, vehicle repair, and building maintenance.

B U D G E T E D: $235,816

S PE N T: $184,164

PE R C E N T O F B U D G E T S PE N T: 78%

SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT This budget item includes office equipment, police equipment, uniforms, and fuel.

B U D G E T E D: $173,419

S PE N T: $135,579

FORFEITURE REPORT According to K.S.A. 60-4117, law enforcement agencies are required to report the status of their Special Law Enforcement Trust Fund in an “annual report.” The report must include the type and approximate value of the forfeited property, the amount of any forfeiture proceeds received, and how any of those proceeds were expended.

This section is included in all annual reports to ensure that the Merriam Police Department stays in compliance with K.S.A. 60-4117. Any questions concerning specific details should be directed to the City of Merriam’s Finance Department.

Drug Forfeiture Activities in 2017 On Jan. 1, 2017, there was $73,174.43 in the Merriam Special Law Enforcement Fund.

Through the course of the year, the following receipts and expenses were made to this fund: RECEIPTS Total funds received Total Assets for 2017:

$2,280.19 $2,280.19

EXPENDITURES Legal fees $338.25 Uniforms $1,473.39 Training $1,150.00 Equipment $11,720.00 Total expenditures in 2017: $14,681.64 Fund balance as of Dec. 31, 2017: $60,772.98

PE R C E N T O F B U D G E T S PE N T: 78.2%

Police department spending was about $131,331 under budget in 2017.

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | 3

2017 CRIME STATISTICS

Each year, we report crimes to the Kansas Bureau of Investigations.

MURDER

RAPE

1

ROBBERY

6

ASSAULTS

5

171

BURGLARY

44

THEFT

538

AUTO THEFT

112

ARSON

0

CRIMINAL ACTIVITY

GRID

ARSON

MURDER

RAPE

ROBBERY

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

SIMPLE ASSAULT

BURGLARY

THEFT

AUTO THEFT

TOTALS

The Merriam Police Department tracks criminal activity and trends by dividing the city into grids that separate residential areas from business areas, as much as possible. The chart below will give you information on some of the crime reports taken in each grid during 2017.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0

7 6 3 1 2 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0

16 16 5 5 11 0 2 2 3 11 21 7 1 20 3 3 1 3 7 6 1

2 3 5 0 0 0 8 2 5 2 0 4 0 5 1 1 0 1 4 1 0

32 31 35 3 19 5 10 9 21 17 17 25 10 72 7 33 0 5 7 174 6

10 9 15 4 10 3 1 1 5 6 1 9 2 11 1 8 0 1 5 9 1

68 67 63 14 43 8 21 15 36 37 42 45 13 109 12 47 1 10 23 195 8

0

1

6

5

27

144

44

538 112

Totals

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GRID MAP Blue lines represent the grid boundaries. *Grid Q is the Merriam City Hall Complex.

PATROL DIVISION The patrol division comprises three patrol shifts and a traffic unit. It is responsible for answering calls for service, traffic enforcement, traffic accidents, and other tasks essential to serving Merriam.

Last year, our officers answered 9,916 calls for service.

These calls ranged from simple city ordinance violations to severe crimes involving personal injury or death. Merriam Police officers also conducted more than 17,471 selfinitiated citizen contacts. These included traffic stops, suspicious person checks, business checks, community outreach, and other miscellaneous duties.

Officers wrote a total of 4,870 reports. Of those, 2,860 were misdemeanor or felony offenses.

TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT The enforcement of traffic laws is an important part of a police officer’s job; a duty that directly contributes to public safety in the community. The purpose of traffic enforcement is to reduce traffic accidents and save lives.

In 2017, Merriam officers issued 6,612 traffic citations.

These numbers represent some of the violations or citations issued in 2017.

SPEEDING

1,786

NO PROOF OF INSURANCE

1,256 DUI

100

DRIVING WITH A SUSPENDED LICENSE

264

TRAFFIC SIGNAL VIOLATIONS

192

STOP SIGN VIOLATIONS

183

SEATBELT VIOLATIONS

396

INVESTIGATIONS In 2017, detectives were assigned 543 cases. Of these cases, 150 have been solved. Detectives are still investigating 63 cases.

THEFT

SIMPLE ASSAULT

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT

FINANCIAL CRIMES

BURGLARY

129

52

50

48

29

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

UNATTENDED DEATH

CHILD IN NEED OF CARE

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

SEX CRIMES

24

17

7

11

13 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | 5

TE STIMONI A LS I am sure you would say that you were just doing your job that night, but the manner by which you did it is what my son and I appreciate very much. For us, the genuine humanity, compassion, and respect that you showed to my son and myself in a difficult situation made a huge impression on both of us.

— HARVEY F.

I just wanted to thank you for the help that I received. I've lived in Merriam for eight years now.

Unfortunately... I've had to contact officers [several times] for help/ assistance. Every single time, without fail, the officers went above and beyond to help me out. Your job is hard, and you deserve to know that your work is appreciated. Thank you for all your work and concern when I needed you in very trying times.

— CHRISTINE W.

Drunk Driving Campaign The Merriam Police Department made 74 stops during its two-week “You Drink. You Drive. You Lose.” campaign in August. The statewide program aimed to remove impaired drivers from Kansas roadways. Officers conducted overtime patrols to aggressively enforce Kansas impaired driving laws. Merriam Police joined 150 other state agencies during the campaign.

6 | MERRIAM POLICE DEPARTMENT

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES One of the fundamental duties of any police department is to investigate motor vehicle crashes. The City of Merriam has 65 miles of roadway within its borders, including approximately three miles of interstate highway. According to data provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), the portion of Interstate 35, just north of 75th St. is the busiest section of highway in Kansas. KDOT estimates more than 153,000 cars drive through Merriam each day.

With the types of roadways in Merriam and the high number of businesses and general drive-through traffic, the problem of traffic control and crash investigation becomes a full-time challenge.

2017 CRASH FACTS There were 765 motor vehicle accidents reported to the Merriam Police Department in 2017 compared to 705 in 2016. Of these: »» 209 accidents involved some level of personal injuries »» 449 accidents resulted in damage of more than $1,000 »» 25 accidents were alcohol-related • There were injuries in 6 of these »» 54 were on private property »» 107 were minor accidents under $1,000 NOTE: The above statistics do not include crashes reported to and investigated by KHP that occurred on I-35.

TOP CRASH LOCATIONS I-35 & SHAWNEE MISSION PARKWAY I-35 & JOHNSON DRIVE I-35 & 75TH ST. I-35 & ANTIOCH ROAD I-35 & 67TH ST. SHAWNEE MISSION PARKWAY & ANTIOCH ROAD SHAWNEE MISSION PARKWAY & IKEA WAY SHAWNEE MISSION PARKWAY & MASTIN ST. SHAWNEE MISSION PARKWAY & HADLEY ST. SHAWNEE MISSION PARKWAY & CRAIG ST.

128 73 73 42 35 34 22 13 10 9

TRAINING

USE OF

FORCE

The State of Kansas requires all police officers to complete a state-sponsored police academy. The Merriam Police Department also requires new officers to complete a 12- to 14-week field training program. The State of Kansas requires certified police officers receive a minimum of 40 hours of training each year. Merriam Police officers received an average of 117 training hours in 2017.

Law enforcement officers face many challenges such as the need to occasionally use force to subdue a violent offender or take a person into custody for their own protection. Merriam officers arrested 1,245 individuals in 2017, and they had to use force in 26 of those incidents.

This is a testament to our officers’ ability to de-escalate tense situations and gain compliance without force.

The Merriam Police Department makes it a top priority to conduct comprehensive examinations of any incident when force is involved in making an arrest. It is critical to be absolutely sure each use of force was necessary and within policy. Therefore, each incident is reviewed by the officer’s supervisor and a three-member Use of Force Panel for a thorough analysis. The panel and supervisor examine the reports, videos, witness statements, and other evidence to get a complete understanding of the incident. Recommendations then are made to the training committee to consider whether lessons learned from the incident could benefit all officers in future work and improve best practice standards.

All 26 use of force incidents were reviewed and found to be within department policy. We believe our comprehensive oversight makes the community safer and our officers more accountable.

TE STIMONI A L Thank you, Corporal Waters for presenting to the Leadership Northeast Class of 2017. This is an amazing example of how our leadership in the Northeast is always on the cutting edge of issues that erupt on the national stage. The class learned so much seeing the agencies collaborate in real time during the drill.

Thank you. Please pass along our gratitude to the officers who assisted you in the active shooter drill.

— NORTHEAST JOHNSON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | 7

OFFICERS AT WORK Merriam Police officers respond to many different types of service calls. The following are examples of memorable incidents handled by Merriam officers in 2017. The incidents on this list were submitted by patrol supervisors.

03-21-2017 // POSSESSION STOLEN AUTO //

PO Twite, MPO Waller, MPO Eickhoff, Sgt. Walton, Investigations.

Officer Twite was on patrol when he found a stolen vehicle parked at the Quality Inn. MPO Eickhoff was able to view hotel surveillance video to find out which room the car's occupant was in. Information led officers to believe a man in the room was wanted for a felony drug and weapons charge, so officers knocked on the door to make contact with the occupants. No one would come to the door, so officers waited outside the room until the room rental expired at 11 a.m. While officers waited, dispatch received two calls about someone with a gun. It was quickly determined the calls were fake and were made in an attempt to lure officers away from the scene. Detectives used information from Facebook to identify possible associates of the suspected room occupants, and the calls were made by the suspect’s associates. A short time later, a van arrived at the hotel and then left. It was stopped, and the occupants admitted to calling 911 and making false reports. The occupants of the room finally exited, and while the male believed to be inside was not, another male subject was arrested on misdemeanor warrants.

05-07-2017 // AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC BATTERY //

Officers Daniels and Weiler, Investigations.

Officers responded to an aggravated battery and criminal restraint in the 7300 block of Royalty Way. Upon arrival, the victim told the officers that her boyfriend beat her a couple of days ago. She had a broken cheekbone as a result. Officers also said that he strangled her until she almost passed out. Her boyfriend would not let her leave the apartment because she was badly injured. He quit his job and made her call in and quit her place of employment, so he could make sure she didn’t leave. He took her cell phone and changed the password so she couldn't contact anyone. After a few days, they ran out of food, so he left to get some. The victim ran to the next building and called police. Upon our arrival, the boyfriend ran and was not immediately located. Detectives followed up the case and were able to get an arrest warrant for him. He was later arrested in California.

08-05-2017 // AGGRAVATED ASSAULT //

Officers Brown, Hannabass, Daniels, and Weiler.

Officers were dispatched to the 9600 block of W. 61st St. for a “shots fired” call. Officers on scene quickly learned the suspect had been at a party at the location of the call. He was intoxicated and had been thrown out of the party. He went to a vehicle and retrieved a handgun that he used to fire a shot in to the air. He then left the scene. One of the witnesses took a picture of the suspect’s license plate (smart!). Officers relayed that information to dispatch and the Roeland Park Police Department stopped the suspect vehicle. With the help of a Shawnee K9 unit, a .380 semi-automatic handgun was located in the area of 60th & Knox St. Detectives responded. Subsequent interviews were conducted and photo lineups confirmed the suspect’s identity. The suspect was arrested and is awaiting trial.

08-24-2017 // HOMICIDE //

Cpl. Lewis, MPO Herron, Det. Meyers, Det. Naegele, and Det. Simmons.

A man received a ride to his residence from a known associate. Once at the house, the two began to argue about money the resident owed. As the argument became more heated, the resident charged the other man in an aggressive manner. Feeling threatened, the associate produced a handgun and shot the man, killing him. The associate was cooperative with police. After a thorough investigation, the case was submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for review. The District Attorney determined the suspect acted in self-defense and no charges would be filed against the shooter.

10-04-2017 // AGGRAVATED ROBBERY //

PO Brown, Cpl. Lewis, and Sgt. Brokaw.

Officers were called to a business about a man believed to have a gun and was demanding money. The man's description was given, and officers soon arrived and found him trying to drive away from the business's drivethru. The man was taken into custody. He denied trying to rob the business and said he was in a dispute about a food order. The cashier said the man stuffed his hands in his pockets and told her to open the register. He told her she would be shot if she didn’t. Police took the man to jail.

8 | MERRIAM POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEW IN 2017 Merriam Police Remodel Building The Merriam Police Department needed building upgrades to fix three main concerns; property room space and ventilation, locker room space, and an inefficient HVAC system. Construction on the department’s $2.4 million project started in June. Police moved across the parking lot to Merriam City Hall and to the Irene B. French Community Center during renovations.

With the addition of a new garage, the property and locker rooms were expanded, the briefing room was relocated to the lower level, and an improved HVAC system was installed.

Community Video Partnership Program The Merriam Police Department implemented the Community Video Partnership Program in late summer. The program uses residents’ and businesses’ security cameras to help fight crime by catching criminals in the act.

Program participants let police know where their public viewing cameras are located and the direction they are facing. The department then creates a confidential map of active security cameras across Merriam.

Officers may contact participants if a crime happens in a specific area and may request to make copies of video footage and use it as evidence during court proceedings. The program isn’t intended for active surveillance, and police won’t have direct access to the video systems.

Merriam Police Starts Using Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety Merriam police in March started using Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety (DDACTS). Using geomapping to identify areas with high incidences of crime, crashes, and traffic violations, DDACTS’s goal is to use highly visible traffic enforcement to deter violators.

Merriam police used data from the previous five years and found areas with the highest overlapping crime and crash rates during certain timeframes. The information allows the department to increase its patrol efficiency.

Merriam police said implementing the DDACTS strategy should reduce or maintain crime and traffic crash incidences by focusing efforts at the right places and at the right times as supported by its police data.

Merriam Police Adds Four New Officers The Merriam Police Department swore in Officers April Gebke, Grant Sparks, Bradley Thomas, and Beau Soucie at the Aug. 28 city council meeting. They took their oaths of office and received their badges.

The four graduated from the 121st Johnson County Regional Police Academy. Merriam Police Chief Michael Daniels said this is the first time the city has had four officers graduate from the Academy at the same time.

OFFICER OF THE YEAR The Merriam Police Department Officer of the Year Award is given to the officer who best demonstrates a distinct pattern of teamwork, community service, community policing, and promotes the department’s core values of “courage, sacrifice, and compassion.”

The 2017 Officer of the Year is Officer Matthew Hirsch. Officer Hirsch has served with the Merriam Police Department since 2016. He demonstrates proficiency in all of his duties as a Merriam police officer.

His peers describe him as “extremely reliable,” “team oriented,” and having “a passion for police work, and a consummate professional.” His coworkers noted he is always courteous and fair to everyone he meets. Officer Hirsch goes out of his way to help fellow officers, regardless of the situation.

Officer Hirsch arrives early to work every day. He consistently achieves high range and physical ability scores.

In his short time with the department, Officer Hirsch has acquired extra duties as a member of our honor guard, the department baton instructor, and a police training officer. It is very important to Officer Hirsch to help influence and develop the younger officers at the department. In his free time, Officer Hirsch enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering for Special Olympics events, and serving in the United States Army Reserve.

Congratulations and thank you for your service, Officer Hirsch!

Pictured from left to right: Officers Grant Sparks, Beau Soucie, Bradley Thomas, and April Gebke.

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | 9

COMMUNITY

INVOLVEMENT The Merriam Police Department has been involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run since 1982. The Torch Run started in Wichita, Kansas and now has participants in all 50 states, Canada, Europe, Africa, China, and Japan.

The Merriam Police Department participates in events like the Polar Plunge, Strikes for Bowling Tournament, Popcorn Standoff at Cinemark, and the Torch Run throughout the year to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics. In 2017, the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run raised $555,934.43.

This is the most money ever raised in the State of Kansas. The Merriam Police Department raised $25,600.27, which was the sixth highest of any law enforcement agency in Kansas.

TE STIMONI A L Please pass along my thanks to Officer Brayden. He does a great job putting the students in a place where they have to speak and show confidence – key to this profession. Also, kudos to Captain Duvanel and to MPO Rashad Castaneda. They did great in the classroom last week and will be a big help next semester, too. — ANTHONY PALMISANO

10 | MERRIAM POLICE DEPARTMENT

Guns N’ Hoses is a charity boxing event featuring boxing bouts among police, fire, and emergency service personnel within the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.

All proceeds from Guns N’ Hoses benefits local charities. The majority goes directly to the Kansas City Crime Commission’s Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment Fund (S.A.F.E.), which provides financial assistance to spouses and children of local sworn officers, firefighters, and emergency service personnel killed in the line of duty. The rest is donated to amateur boxing programs in the greater Kansas City area.

Merriam Officers Paul Hutchinson, Brad Thomas, and Community Service Officer Jamie Brokaw participated in 2017. All boxers are required to have a minimum of 20 training sessions with a certified USA boxing instructor2017 before theyREPORT can ANNUAL | participate in the charity event.

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CITY POPULATION

CAR SEAT CHECKS

CALLS FOR SERVICE

POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES

11,232 9,916

SELF-INITIATED CALLS

17,471

WRITTEN REPORTS

4,870

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

80 37

TORCH RUN MONEY RAISED

$25,600.27 TOTAL BUDGET

$3,934,734

765

MERRIAM POLICE DEPARTMENT 9010 W. 62ND ST. Merriam, Kansas 66202 913-322-5560 · merriam.org/police

12 | MERRIAM POLICE DEPARTMENT

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