2008 Annual Report - Prince William County Government · Michael C. May Occoquan District ......

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT

2008 Annual Report

A Nationally Accredited Law Enforcement Agency

Prince William County Police Department

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County and Department At a Glance 2 Facilities Directory & Map 3 Department Organization Chart 4 Department Profile 5 Significant Achievements in 2008 6 Department Awards 12 Volunteers 14 Retirements 16 In Remembrance 16 Citizen Satisfaction Survey 17 2008 Crime Statistics

Annual Crime Statistics 19 Part 1 Crime 20 Person vs. Property Crime 20 Crime Rate 21 Crime Rate and Population 22 Closure Rates 23 Crimes Against Persons —

Historical Perspective 24 Crimes Against Property —

Historical Perspective 26 Arrests, Part 1 Crimes 27 Arrests, Other Crimes 28 Illegal Immigration Enforcement 29 Illegal Alien Arrests, Part 1 Crimes 30 Illegal Alien Arrests, Other Crimes 31 Traffic Enforcement 32

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Corey A. Stewart, CHAIRMAN At-Large W.S. Wally Covington, VICE CHAIRMAN Brentsville District Maureen S. Caddigan Dumfries District John D. Jenkins Neabsco District

Michael C. May Occoquan District Martin E. Nohe Coles District Frank J. Principi Woodbridge District John T. Stirrup, Jr. Gainesville District

The County at a Glance Board of County Supervisors

County Executive Craig S. Gerhart

County Budget $2.34 billion (FY 09 adopted)

County Employees 3,700 (full-time equivalent, FY 09)

Area 348 square miles/222,615 acres

Population 388,269 (June 15, 2008)

Median Household Income $87,243 (2008)

Average Assessed Value

-- Single-Family Home $435,100 (2008)

Distance to Washington, D.C. 35 miles

The Police Department at a Glance

Chief Charlie T. Deane

Department Budget $66.9 million (FY08 adopted)

Police Officers 537

Civilian Personnel 188 full time (incl. Animal Control & Crossing Guard)

Annual Training Totals 49,024 hours (recruit training) 42,560 hours (annual in-service training)

8,820 hours (firearms training)

Calls for Service 228,785

Public Safety Communications Staff under joint management of Police and Fire Chiefs


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POLICE DEPARTMENT FACILITIES MAP

2008 Annual Report

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DEPARTMENTAL ORGANIZATION CHART


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DEPARTMENT PROFILE Prince William County was established in

1731 and is situated approximately 35 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. The County consists of 348 square miles and encompasses the independent cities of Manassas and Manas-sas Park, as well as the towns of Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan and Quantico.

The Prince William County Police Depart-ment began operations on July 1, 1970. The Department started with 42 experienced police officers and operated out of the now-replaced Gar-Field Government Center on Cardinal Drive. The Department’s budget that year was $750,000 and the County’s population was approximately 111,000.

Prince William County has experienced tremendous growth since then. As of December 15, 2008, the County’s population was 390,771, and a larger police department and more varied police services are required to accommodate the needs of our community. The Department has an authorized strength of 537 officers and an operating budget of more than $66.9 million.

In 2008, the Department celebrated 38 years of outstanding law-enforcement service to the community. Today, the Police Department is comprised of three divisions and a variety of bureaus and specialty units.

The Department is supported by a Forensics Services Bureau, a traffic safety team, a strong Neighborhood Watch program, a Law Enforce-ment Explorers Post, and a Criminal Justice Academy that provided more than 103,500 hours of basic and in-service training for Department personnel in 2008.

In its commitment to law enforcement excellence, the Department has been fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) since 1987. The Department embraces a community policing philosophy and strives to remain a modern and innovative law enforcement agency. We use the most modern police technology available, and our officers are continually kept abreast of current crime fighting methods.

Though technology continues to play an important role, it is our staff that will determine the future of the Department. Since 1970, the Department and the community have been fortunate to have people who are committed to public service. These dedicated officers and employees stand prepared to provide the very best in law enforcement service just as they have done over the last 38 years.

Officers take part in many community events to support our mission, such as the Police Unity Tour. The tour raises awareness of police officers who have died in the line of duty.

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SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS in 2008

Training and Career Development Two Officers Graduate from Basic K-9 School

Two police officers completed the basic K-9 training course and were recognized at a ceremony on January 18, 2008. SPO Kevin A. Curry and Officer Jay A. Gutschmidt completed the 16-week course of training. MPO Wayne D. Stewart with the Department’s K-9 Unit, was the lead trainer for the course, which was offered at the Criminal Justice Academy.

Basic Recruit School Graduates Officers in June and December

The Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy produced two sessions of new police officers last year. Twenty-five police officers graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement 24th Session on June 19, 2008. Twenty-five police officers graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement 25th Session on Dec. 19, 2008.

The June graduates were: Jennifer L. Adams, Garing L. Armstead, Justin T. Bonner, Jeremy A. Booth, Daniel G. Carton, David T. Clark, Renee J. Colombo, James A. Conway Jr., Katherine T. Dunnaville, Adam H. Gardiner, Adam J. Higgs, Christopher R. Johnson, David

More than 400 officers worked during the two presidential rallies in the County last year, including traffic control, crowd control and other duties.

McCain, Obama Rallies in County Place Department in National Spotlight

The presidential campaigns of 2008 provided two opportunities for the Department’s members to shine while providing additional security and traffic control for Senator John McCain, the Republican candidate for president and then-Senator Barak Obama, the Democratic candidate for president.

Sen. McCain held a campaign rally on Satur-day, Oct. 18, 2008, at the Sean T. Connaughton Community Plaza adjacent to the McCoart building. The crowd was estimated by the media to be between 8,000 and 10,000 people. Sen. Obama held a campaign rally on Monday, Nov. 3, 2008, at the Prince William Fairgrounds outside Manassas. The crowd was estimated by the media to be around 85,000 people.


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J. Kaczmarczyk, Katheryn S. Kuhlman, Joel D. Lewton, Matthew A. Lyon, Tiffany A. McClary, Benjamin A. Owen, Richard A. Ratliff, Jesse M. Rollinger, Kevin R. Rule, Michael Stolar, Amon Y. Weaver III, Peter J. Wellman and Spencer R. Wheeler.

The December graduates were: Jessica A. Artone, Ian G. Case, Maria Y. Cervantes, Brendan K. Duffy, John G. Franklin, Shawn M. Gallagher, Daniel F. Gray, Joseph A. Guzdowski, David C. Humphries, Tiffany D. Jenkins, Charles E. Kinchloe, Darrell W. Lewis, Daniel O. Martin, Richard W. McConnaughey, Robert J. Mrak II, Michael G. O’Neill, Andrew W. Pittman, Ryan D. Rowland, Brian C. Stenger, Ame E. Stevens, Joseph M. Westerman, Robert S. White, Ericca K. Wright, Andrew J. Wrighten and Warren J. Zaccagnini Jr. Officers Travel to Louisiana, Provide Mutual Aid After Hurricane Gustav

From September 12-28, 2008, 12 Prince William County officers were deployed to Livingston Parish, La., in the wake of Hurricane Gustav, for about two weeks to supplement road deputies with law enforcement duties.

Since 2005, when a series of natural disasters struck the Gulf Coast of the United States, County police have been responding to the Virginia Emergency Management Assistance Center’s (EMAC) calls to provide mutual aid to other law enforcement agencies. The Department has deployed members ranging from Police Officer I positions to the Chief of

Police to assist with law enforcement duties in New Orleans, La.; Picayune, Miss.; Cameron Parrish, La; and, most recently, Livingston Parish, La. In the most recent deployment, First Sergeant Tony Spencer supervised the EMAC response team and Sergeant Mike Hustwayte was the assistant supervisor. Completing the team were Officers Shaun Barrett, Gary Brunelle, Brian Gardner, Dave Hess, Donald Hoffman, David Sottosanti and Daniel

Sullins, as well as Detective Marty Leake. Following their return, First Sergeant

Spencer made a presentation to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Law Enforcement Command Advisory Group in Chesterfield, Va. He spoke about lessons learned from the deployment that may assist other law enforcement agencies should they send or receive EMAC assistance in the future.

Twenty-four Members Complete First West Point Leadership Course

Twenty-four members completed the West Point Leadership Course, based on an undergraduate course offered at West Point, the U.S. Military Academy. The course was adapted to help police organizations develop leaders from within.

The 22-week program was held at the Criminal Justice Academy. Participants worked in small groups on projects relevant to the Department.

The graduates in this inaugural class were: Sergeants Ruben D. Castilla, Drew Hunter, Michael R. Lewis, Michael B. Blake, John W. Wojcik, Jeffrey S. Pyck, and Thomas J. Garrity; First Sergeants Paul D. Rankin Jr., Brian P. Crowley Jr., Dawn M. Harman, Daniel M. Hess, Robert D. Grinnell, Scott A. Kearns, Javid C. Elahi, Carlos J. Robles, Bryan W. Simms, Geoffrey H. Howard, Charlie Hoffman, Brenda J. Walburn and Erik J. Barnhart; Lieutenants Kevin P. Brown, Christopher P. Feather, John J. Twomey III, and Steven J. Thompson.

Session 24 Basic Recruit School graduates.

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Neighborhood and Community Initiatives Centralized Fingerprint Unit is Showcased at Open House

In March 2008, the Department held an open house to announce that its Fingerprint Unit operates from a centralized location, and has the ability to access regional and statewide fingerprint databases directly from the new location. Since 1984, members of the Fingerprint Unit operated from the NOVARIS facility located in Fairfax County, Va., but with the expansion of the Department’s Forensic Services Bureau, the fingerprint examiners were able to relocate to the new facility in the Manassas area. “By bringing this Unit back in-house, we will benefit from a more efficient and streamlined process in the identification of subjects,” said Chief Charlie T. Deane.

Taxi Inspection Permit Decals Debut

In 2008, every Manassas and Yellow Cab had to display a blue decal, affixed to the left rear window of the taxi, to show that the vehicle had passed a safety inspection as well as a meter inspection by the Police Department.

The 32-point vehicle inspection, and the annual meter calibration, is done to ensure the safety of taxi patrons as they use only cabs legally allowed to pick up passengers in the County. The color of the decals changes annually. County Residents Are Commended

Three Bristow residents were honored in May 2008 for their actions following a January 8th crash on Aden Road that claimed the life of one individual. Chief Deane presented Thomas Berger, John McCue and Nadine Lenar with certificates and letters of commendation at a ceremony at the Western District Station in the Manassas area. They were cited for

their exceptional bravery in pulling two occupants from a burning vehicle. Torch Run 2008

In June, the Department participated in the annual Torch Run for Special Olympics. The torch was lit in Arlington, Va., and carried by police officers down U.S. Route 1 to Richmond. In Prince William County, the torch started on Route 1 at the Prince William-Fairfax line and ended at the entrance to the U.S. Marine Corps Base, which straddles the Prince William-Stafford line.

Traditionally, the Department celebrates the Torch’s arrival with a picnic for the athletes. The Torch is handed from a police officer to a Special Olympian as it passes the Gar-Field Station in Woodbridge.

The Special Olympics is supported by law enforcement officers throughout the United States and in 45 countries. 11 Citizens Graduate from the Senior Citizen Police Academy

Eleven individuals received certificates of graduation on June 18, 2008, in recognition of their successful completion of the 15th session of the Department’s award-winning Senior Citizen Police Academy.

The six-week program is designed to provide the community with an opportunity to learn about their Police Department, to allow

Senior Citizen Police Academy Session 15 graduates.


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dialogue between residents and officers, and to discuss mutual problems and potential solutions.

The graduates of the 15th session were: Charlie Adkins, Alice Allen, Mildred Clark, Norman Lober, Patsy McDonald, Ileana Mele, Sanae Richardson, Terry Rindal, Richard Sienkiewicz, Dymple Smith and John Smith.

25th Anniversary of National Night Out

On August 2, the Department observed the 25th annual National Night Out at the Connaughton Community Plaza adjacent to the James J. McCoart Administration Building. Features included police and fire exhibits and McGruff the Crime Dog, County gov-ernment agencies, local clubs, civic groups and businesses. There were demonstrations and games as well as information tables and give-aways!

National Night Out, coordinated by the Crime Prevention Unit, is designed to help create healthy neighborhoods, help neighbors to know one another, celebrate community and take steps to make neighborhoods safer for all residents.

National Night Out helps form good relationships between the community and the Police Department. Neighborhood Watch programs and National Night Out help to create a neighborhood network to find ways to prevent crime and to enhance the quality of life in the County.

In addition, on August 5, residents were encouraged to lock their doors, turn on outdoor lights and spend the evening outside with their neighbors and law enforcement as a symbol that they care about their neighborhoods. 21 Citizens Graduate from the Citizen Police Academy

Twenty-one individuals received certificates of graduation in August in recognition of their successful completion of the 26th session of the Citizen Police Academy.

The citizen academies are part of a continuing effort to develop citizen awareness and understanding of the role of the police in the community. “These academies fit into our

philosophy of doing everything we can to better serve the community,” said Chief Deane. “We learn what we are doing well and what we can do better.”

The graduates of the 26th session were: Laureano Abila Jr., Ateeb Ahmad, Brent Barnwell, Melissa Barnwell, Sabrina Davis, John Devison, Howard Gordon, Usman Janjua, Kevin Johnson, Michele Long, Joyce Martin, Mary McClane, Terry Rindal, Jody Sutphin, Tami Turner, Donald Veazey, Joseph Vignola, Brenda White, Carolyn Wilkinson, Patricia Williams and Glenn Wolthuis.

Certified Crime Prevention Community Designation Re-Affirmed by State

Six years ago, the County became the first to earn the Certified Crime Prevention Community designation under a state program that recognizes and certifies localities that have implemented a defined set of community safety strategies.

On September 16, 2008, the Board of County Supervisors formally accepted the County’s recertification. The process was handled by the Department’s Crime Prevention Unit, and their application will likely be used as a model for the state’s fledgling recertification process.

This designation means that Prince William County has implemented a defined set of community safety strategies.

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Traffic Safety – Education and Enforcement

The Department participated in several traffic safety education and enforcement campaigns in 2008, ranging from child safety seat inspections and installations to DUI check-points and education, motor carrier safety inspections as well as speeding and improper driving campaigns. These included:

Street Smart Campaign for Bike, Pedestrian Safety Nets More than 400 Summonses

The Street Smart Cam-paign, which is designed to reduce traffic-related arrests and crashes involving vehicles and bicycles or vehicles and pedestrians, was conducted in March (15th-22nd) and in November (23rd-30th).

Street Smart is a pedestrian- and bicycle-safety and public awareness program carried out by law enforcement agencies throughout the Washing-ton metropolitan area. The goal is to educate the public on pedestrian and bicycle safety issues and laws.

Targeted areas for this enforcement in east-ern Prince William County included Route 1 between Featherstone Drive and Occoquan Road, Dale Boulevard from Ashdale Avenue to Ridgefield Road, and Minnieville Road from Tackett’s Mill to Old Bridge Road.

Targeted areas in western Prince William County included Sudley Road between Irongate Way and Balls Ford Road, Route 28 from Ma-plewood Drive to Yorkshire Lane, Lomond Drive from Sudley Road to Lomond Drive South, and Ashton Avenue from Crestwood Drive to Coverstone Drive.

Click It or Ticket County police joined law enforcement

agencies throughout Virginia in the “Click It Or Ticket” mobilization to enforce the Commonwealth’s safety belt and child safety seat laws. The Department participated in high-visibility patrols – day and night – from mid-May through the Memorial Day holiday and again from mid-November through the Thanksgiving holiday.

Virginia law allows police to cite anyone driving a car in which an occupant under age 16 is not wearing a safety belt or is not properly secured in a child safety seat. It also provides that drivers stopped for other violations can be cited if they are not properly restrained. This also applies to all front seat passengers over the age of 16.

“Click It or Ticket” is one of several programs under the Smart, Safe and Sober partnership. Smart, Safe and Sober is a statewide program dedicated to preventing death and injury on Virginia roadways. It is a joint partnership of the Department, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Virginia Department of State Police, the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, DRIVE SMART Virginia, and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

“Slow Down! Move Over! It’s the Law!” Awareness Campaign

County police joined the Virginia State Police in educating the public about the state’s

Concern over officer safety during traffic stops led to the Move Over awareness campaign.


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new “move over” law. The law requires drivers to change to another travel lane or, when not able to safely do so, to slow down when passing emergency personnel stopped on the road. Violation of the law carries a punishment of a fine of up to $2,500 and/or 12 months in jail. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, more than a dozen law enforcement personnel were struck and killed nationwide between 2006 and 2008 while standing outside their vehicles on the nation’s roadways.

Smooth Operator Anti-Aggressive Driving Campaign

Smooth Operator is a regional anti-aggressive driving campaign that involves nearly 30 law enforcement agencies throughout the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. County police target those offenses most closely associated with aggressive driving, such as speeding, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, failure to wear a seatbelt, and child safety seat violations. There are additional officers assigned to work this campaign. That means citizens can expect to see sobriety check-points and an increased officer presence on the roadways.

Motor Carrier Safety Inspections

In calendar year 2008, the Department’s Crash Investigations Unit conducted inspections of 390 trucks that traveled on County roadways. Of that number, 75 trucks were found to have defects severe enough for officers to immediately declare the vehicles “out of service.” An additional 251 were found to have defects that, while not immediately compromising road safety, resulted in officers writing citations that required the driver or the trucking company to either repair the vehicles or institute better safety programs for their drivers.

Traffic Enforcement Data There were 22 fatal crashes in 2008, com-

pared with 23 fatal crashes in 2007 and 32 in 2006. Total crashes investigated by the Crash Investigation Unit increased 11 percent in 2008 (1,614 versus 1,450).

The number of motor carrier inspections increased 44 percent over 2007, with 53 percent of the inspected vehicles having defects.

Department RADAR and LIDAR speed enforcement increased just over 11 percent from 2007, while the number of summonses for speeding increased just over 12 percent from 2007.

The number of hours officers spent on the Roadway Incident Management Program (RIMP) increased significantly in 2008 compared with 2007 (1,025 hours compared with 568 hours). A total of 452 tickets were issued in 2008 under RIMP, compared with 181 in 2007.

Traffic enforcement and education is a year-round objective of the Police Department.

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2008 DEPARTMENT AWARDS

Smooth Operator Award

Officer Ronald Allen and Master Police Officer Ramon Gomez were honored at the region’s annual Smooth Operator luncheon for the diligent enforcement of traffic violations during the 2008 campaign. The awards were presented by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG).

Police Officer of the Year Award

Officer Ed McDermott and Officer Matt Smith were named the Dale City Civic Association’s 2008 Police Officers of the Year. The civic association annually makes this award to an officer who is assigned to patrol in Dale City.

Heroes Appreciation Award

Officer Dave Ehrhardt received this award from the Manassas Kiwanis Club “for solving a case in which nine youths were arrested and charged with placing objects on the highway that caused several crashes and damage to many vehicles.” It took a lot of work piecing the case together and getting the numerous charges placed against the individuals, such as destruction of property, trespassing and littering the highway. The Heroes Appreciation awards are given to pay tribute to the men and women who serve the community in law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency services and related fields.

National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award

The Robbery Suppression Initiative was one of four County government programs to receive an Achievement Award from NACo. The Department’s Street Crimes Unit was tasked with conducting a Robbery Suppression Initiative to reduce the number of robberies. Members conducted street-level enforcement in the identified areas by being highly visible, initiating contact with subjects seen in the area and adhering to a “zero tolerance” policy. Members also established a rapport and level of trust within the largely victimized Hispanic community, in particular the business community. The initiative resulted in an increase in the robbery clearance rate, led to money and weapons seizures, hundreds of criminal charges and a reduction in the number of robberies in 2007. The award is given to recognize county governments on a national level for hard work in promoting quality, efficiency and responsibility in county government management and administration.

2008 County Executive’s Award

Members of the Criminal Investigative Division’s Burglary Investigation Team won a County Executive’s Award for the successful investigation and arrests of individuals who were

The winners of the 2008 Smooth Operator Awards are Officer Ronald Allen and Master Police Officer Ramon Gomez. Pictured next to MPO Gomez is Mary Ann Childs, Special Operations Bureau, and 1st Sergeant Jacques Poirier, a Traffic Unit supervisor.


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responsible for a rash of burglaries in the County. The Unit’s members at the time of the award were: Master Detective Peter Barlow, Detective Richard Brown, Detective Cameron Crouch, Senior Detective Wayne Graves, Detective Ashley Gwinn, Melanie Kent-Knapczyk, Heidi Paiva, Master Detective Stephen Piaskowski, Master Detective Patric Quinn, Detective Lee Somerford and Master Detective Steven Varvaro. Additionally, Lieutenant Heidi Daniel and Major (Ret.) Daniel Taber received County Executive’s Awards as part of the County-wide DRIVE Steering Team, which was tasked with developing and overseeing the implementation and training of County government’s new employee evaluation system.

VASAP/MADD Award

Officer Stephen Cieslinski, Officer Robert Donnan, Officer Marc Grayson and Officer Ed McDermott were honored at the 17th Annual Awards for Excellence in Community Service and Public Safety. The award is sponsored by the Northern Virginia Alcohol Safety Program and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The four officers demonstrated an outstanding work ethic and superior DUI detection skills, which resulted in removing dangerous, intoxicated drivers from the County’s roadways, making the roads safer for our citizens.

Virginia Crime Prevention Association (VCPA) Awards

Two of the County’s Neighborhood Watches — Batley Place in Lake Ridge and Crossroads Village in Gainesville — were recognized by the VCPA as the 2008 “Community Organization Award” winners. Congratulations are due to the citizen-members of these two Neighborhood Watch groups as well as to the Crime Prevention Unit staff who work with them to ensure that their neighborhoods are safe! For more information on starting a Neighborhood Watch program in your community, visit the Crime Prevention Center on our website at www.police. pwcgov.org. 2008 Valor Awards

Seven members of the Department received 2008 Valor Awards “in honor of those who have served our region and its people beyond the call of duty” at a ceremony hosted by the Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce. Those honored at the 22nd annual Valor Awards ceremony were: Officer Christopher C. Bradford, Officer Kenneth Hulsey, Officer Christopher A. Drew, Officer Donald A. Hoffmann, Officer Scott A. Watt, Officer Gary P. Brunelle and Officer Mark Depatie.

Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE)

Lieutenant Joseph Ryan and First Sergeant Jarad Phelps received the Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE), which recognizes individuals and/or groups who have made outstanding contributions in creating or maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, consistent with County government’s Risk Management policies and the County’s vision and values. They initiated a review of all police bicycle officer training which resulted in a marked decline in bicycle training-related injuries in fiscal year 2007.

Officer Donnan, Officer McDermott and Officer Cieslinski earned DUI enforcement awards from VASAP/MADD. Not pictured is Officer Grayson, who also earned an award.

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Voluntary Action Center Honors Ed Roman

Long-time Prince William County Police Department volunteer Ed Roman said the most rewarding thing about what he does is that it helps keep an extra police officer on the street. “Try about 10,” laughed Sgt. Michael Blake, who has worked with Mr. Roman for the last three years at the Gar-Field Station in Woodbridge.

Mr. Roman, 78, has worked as a volunteer for the last 9 ½ years, doing everything from keeping inventory to getting police vehicles detailed. “He totally supports police operations on the east end of the County,” Blake said. “He does a myriad of administrative work and keeps the officers and myself free to do other things.”

On May 19, 2008, the Voluntary Action Center held its annual Volunteer Recognition Event in Manassas. With 10,000 hours served – that’s an average of nearly 3 hours a day, 365 days a year for nearly 10 years – Mr. Roman was unknowingly the guest of honor among the 574 individuals recognized that night.

Mr. Roman’s technical expertise and casual demeanor made him a perfect fit at the Police Department. The Pennsylvania native joined the military on his 16th birthday and became a communication specialist in the U.S. Army during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He eventually met his wife Mitzi in South America and has been married for nearly 50 years.

Mr. Roman jokingly blamed Mitzi for his volunteering stint at the Police Department. One day, Mitzi read a newspaper article that mentioned the Department’s award-winning Senior Citizen Police Academy. Mr. Roman went to the Gar-Field station to see what it was all about and was instantly hooked. “Lieutenant Casey said, ‘see if you can find anything for him to do’ and I thought, ‘my ideal job, they have to find something for me to do’,” Mr. Roman said.

Created in 1981 and based in Manassas, the Voluntary Action Center is a unique referral service connecting volunteers with Prince William County’s diverse non-profit community. Along with Mr. Roman’s recognition, the Center handed out 11 Community Spirit Awards to various local business partners. This article by writer Kipp Hanley originally appeared in The Potomac News on Wednesday, May 21, 2008. It is reprinted with permission from the newspaper.

VOLUNTEERS

Captain Tim Rudy stands with long-time volunteer Ed Roman in front of the Gar-Field Station .


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Administrative Services John W. Morrison

Animal Control

William J. Graham Rick Jenkins

Larry O’Connor Rachel Rutherford

William Seeger Vicki L. Smith Karen Wilkens

Chaplains

Gary Caruthers Gene Chumley Richard Delap

Lyle Dukes Doug Duty, Jr. Dennis Glusko

Fougere D. Gordon Maria O. Gordon Alfred Jones, Jr.

Donald J. Planty, Jr.

Crime Prevention Judith A. Bell-Dorman

Bob Huisman Harold S. Jenkinson Carol A. Lawhead Virginia Morales

Lizbeth L. Nugent Stephen H. Nugent Suzanne M. Rucker

Rita Russell Yvonne Sullivan

Richard C. Thomson, Jr. Nancy Wolf

Operations-East Edward E. Chick

Barbara L. Gaskins Edward J. Roman

Operations-West

Kevin Porreco

Police Auxiliaries Christopher J. Hermann

L. Chara Hyduke John M. Kaysak

Lawrence R. Keller Russell S. Lowe Joseph W. Miller Jane M. Seeberg Frank N. Turner

VOLUNTEERS

The Prince William County Police Department extends sincere thanks to all of our dedicated volunteers who provided many hours of service

to the Department and the community in 2008.

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RETIREMENTS

On behalf of the entire Police Department, farewells and best wishes are extended to those who retired in 2008.

Stephen Collins

Vincent P. Doherty Patricia Harman

Sindi Leo Sam Newsome

Thomas Overman Daniel Taber John White

IN REMEMBRANCE

Prince William County Police Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

Paul Thomas White, Jr. October 27, 1973

Philip Michael Pennington November 22, 1990


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CITIZEN SATISFACTION SURVEY

For the past 16 years, the Prince William County government has conducted an annual citizen satisfaction survey administered by the Center for Survey Research of the University of Virginia. The goals of the survey include the following: • To assess citizen satisfaction with

services offered in the County; • To compare satisfaction levels with those

reported in previous surveys; • To analyze which subgroups among the

County’s residents may be more or less satisfied than others with the services they receive; and

• To continue annual measurement of overall perception of quality of life in Prince William County.

The County uses the responses and analysis of the survey to further improve the quality of services that Prince William County offers to its residents. Several new questions were added in 2008 related to the police department’s immigration policy adopted by the Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) in July 2007, and implemented by the police department in March 2008. Additional questions regarding crime victimization and reporting were also added.

Historically, citizen satisfaction with police services has always been high. However, results of the 2008 survey showed significant changes in items related to the police, with satisfaction increasing in some areas (combating gangs and illegal drugs) and decreasing in others. There were significant declines in residents’ satisfaction, both with police performance and with police attitudes and behaviors towards citizens. Although 80.5 percent of residents were satisfied with police efforts to enforce the new policy with respect to illegal immigrants, satisfaction with the overall performance of the Police Department decreased significantly from 92.3 percent in 2007 to 89 percent in 2008.

Other notable findings included: • Overall satisfaction with police is related to

the race or ethnicity of the respondent. • Opinions about the police, especially about

attitudes and fairness, have become polarized along ethnic lines, with Hispanic

residents much less satisfied than others. For example, in 2005 when overall satisfaction was 94 percent, blacks were 91 percent satisfied and Hispanics the most satisfied at 97 percent with all others at 94 percent.

• The decline in satisfaction among Hispanics is the primary reason for this year’s decrease in satisfaction with police performance and attitudes.

• Asian and African-American satisfaction has also declined, although not as severely. Satisfaction among African-Americans fell to 85 percent and Hispanic satisfaction with police has decreased to 73 percent.

While the police department found the overall results to be disappointing, they were not necessarily surprising, given the intense debate regarding the illegal immigration enforcement policy that took place in the County over the course of the past year. An important aspect to note, which was highlighted by the director of the survey, Dr. Thomas Guterbock, is that the changes in perceptions and the decrease in satisfaction was not necessarily related to the respondent’s actual experience with the police. It was instead a reflection of the individual’s opinion of the policy itself and its effects within the community.

The department continues to take an active role in building positive relationships within the community. Public education has been a primary focus since the policy was first introduced; a public education campaign was initiated to convey accurate information regarding the new policy. Community expectations were diverse and there was confusion regarding the role and actions of police officers. Through a variety of printed publications, community meetings, media coverage and informational videos, the police department demonstrated that it was committed to maintaining a fair, lawful and reasonable approach to enforcement by: • Focusing on illegal aliens who commit

violations of state or local law. • Protecting crime victims and cooperative

witnesses regardless of their immigration status.

• Not tolerating racial profiling.

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CITIZEN SATISFACTION SURVEY

Overall Rating of Police By ethnic/racial group, by year

Police Attitudes and Behaviors By ethnic/racial group, by year

50%

55%

60%

65%

70%

75%

80%

85%

90%

95%

100%

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

1 Hispanic 2 Black (non-hispanic) 3 All Others

50%

55%

60%

65%

70%

75%

80%

85%

90%

95%

100%

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

1 Hispanic 2 Black (non-hispanic) 3 All Others


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Prince William County Police Department 1 County Complex Court Prince William, VA 22192

703-792-6650

2008 Annual Report - Prince William County Government · Michael C. May Occoquan District ......

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