DKPD NEWSLETTERDKPD NEWSLETTER MISSION STATEMENT

To provide efficient and effective law enforcement

services through community oriented

policing that enhances the quality of life and reduces

the impact of crime.

VISION STATEMENTS

To create a collaborative and viable relationship between the

community and the police.

To take pride in the quality of

services we deliver and embrace the knowledge that

what we do is making an enormous

difference in the community.

To establish and

maintain in cooperation with the

citizens of DeKalb and the governmental entities

tranquility throughout the county.

VALUE STATEMENTS

To enforce the law

equably and professionally.

To treat everyone with

civility, courtesy, sensitivity and respect.

To value diversity.

To discharge faithfully our

roles as guardians of public trust.

To protect and to serve with

integrity.

Contributing Writers: Director K. Williams

Capt. D. Loos Officer S. Kyles

Sgt. R. de Graaf Mekka Parish, PIO

Bettina Durant, PIO Sheryl Elliott

Kama Elle Walcott To contribute articles contact

(770) 724 - 7477 or email msparish@co.dekalb.ga.us. On-line issues are available at

www.dekalbpolice.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

HEALTH WATCH NEW OFFICER SHINES

Page Page Page 444

Officer Brian Lauda may only have been with the DeKalb County Police Department for one (1) year, but according to his superiors he has shown that he is knowledgeable of traffic and criminal law beyond his years of experience. Officer Lauda handled 161 calls, issued 31 citations and made 40 arrests, during the time period of December 1, 2008 through December 19, 2008. He has consistently shown a high level of professionalism and dedication in the performance of his police duties. When asked how he felt about his job, Officer Lauda said, “By far this is the best job I have ever had. I enjoy working with everyone every day.” Officer Lauda’s superiors commend him for his sound decision making ability. Reportedly, he makes good decisions during his tour of duty. He also handles assigned calls within his territory, along with assisting other officers when needed in a timely manner. Officer Lauda’s supervisors say, his professionalism and manner in which he carries out daily duties make him a good role model for other young officers. “This is a very nice honor,” added Officer Lauda. “I love getting to be out in the field talking with citizens. I love being a police officer.”

OH JOY, ONE GIRL AND THREE BOYS!

Officer T.D. Rowe and his wife are the proud parents of their new son

Tomario D’Shaun Rowe, born on December 23, 2008.

Officer Christopher Emerson on the birth of his new

son Nicholas David Emerson, born on December 30, 2008.

Officer Bart Spradling and his wife are the proud

parents of their new daughter Jazlyn Noelani Spradling, born on

January 6, 2009.

Officer Mark Thomas and his wife are the proud parents of their new son

Nathan Douglas Thomas, born on January 12, 2009.

Moms, Dads and babies are all doing well!

January 30, 2009

86th Police Academy Graduation 11:00 a.m.

Lou Walker Senior Center

538 Panola Road Lithonia, GA

WINTER CAN BE ROUGH ON YOUR SKIN

The cold winter months tend to be rough on our skin especially our hands. Our body’s primary defense against infection is our skin. Healthy intact skin stops

germs from entering our body to cause an infection. It also helps retain heat and prevents moisture loss. In the winter months we tend to decrease our water intake and increase our intake of fluid that causes dehydration such as coffee, non-herbal tea and alcohol. Dehydration affects the skin’s elasticity and makes it more susceptible to damage. Chapped, raw, irritated skin is not considered “intact” and can be a route of infection in the case of an exposure. Further, this moisture loss can be aggravated by hand washing whether it’s soap and water or chemical hand cleaners. These types of cleaners will often strip the emollients from the skin causing it to break down. However, there are cleaners and soaps that have moisturizers in them and may help. The best solution is to supplement your hygiene regimen with a moisturizer. Just make sure to read the label. Why should you pay attention to the label? Many of the products contain mineral oil which actually leads to more emollient loss for the skin as well as potential break down of the rubber in some protective gloves. Wearing leather or other gloves designed for warmth helps protect our hands from the elements and injury. Be sure to go by the range with these gloves and practice with your firearms and other defensive equipment while wearing them. Gloves may decrease or alter your grip and feel for control of the weapon. In the winter don’t forget to moisturize after you wash your hands.

…. Stay Healthy...

NEW START

NEW BEGINNING

January 26, 2009

Volume 2, Issue 2

Inside this Issue: Page Candlelight Vigil 2 Pets of the Week 2 CRIMETRAC 3 Chaplain’s Corner 3 Training/Health Update 3 Officer of the Month 4 Health Watch 4 Birth Announcements 4 Upcoming Events 4

TERRELL BOLTON DEKALB COUNTY CHIEF OF POLICE

THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO

The faces of the hard working men and women of the

DeKalb County Police Dept.

BUDGET TALKS

MEMORANDUM

TO: The DeKalb County Police Department

FROM: Chief Terrell Bolton

SUBJECT: Department Commendation

I would like to personally thank each and every supervisor, officer, non-sworn employee and your

families for the hard work, dedication and commitment each of you has demonstrated during the

past year. Despite many challenges, this Department has continually put forth its best effort to

protect the citizens of DeKalb County.

Now 2008 has passed, a review of the overall accomplishments of the Department is in order.

Violent Crimes in DeKalb County were down by 3% and Property Crimes down by 1%. The

areas that led to the reduction in violent crimes were aggravated assaults, down 19% and theft,

down 17% for the year. Due to the hard work and partnerships fostered with the citizens of this

County 2008 was a success. Although crime reduction is the primary goal, many other goals have

been attained or exceeded such as:

● 50% Reduction in Use of Force Incidents

● 10% Increase in arrests

● 21% Increase in traffic enforcement

● 10% Reduction in traffic accidents

● Over 1,000 community meetings attended

It is with great pride that I serve as your Chief and believe that 2009 will be filled with continued blessings

as this Department strives to better serve the citizens of DeKalb County.

It’s that time once again for DeKalb County to approve a new budget for the year. The DeKalb County Police Department wants to make sure its employees are kept abreast of the Department’s budget challenges so we can all be fiscally sound during the course of the year. Below you will find some of CEO Burrell Ellis’ Recommended Budget Cuts for the Police Department: • Cutting Fund 271 by $2,360,000 in salary savings: The reduction equates to at least 44 full-time vacant positions, the majority sworn officers. • Cutting Fund 100 by $1,003,000 in salary savings: The reduction equates to at least 20 full-time vacant civilian positions. • Cutting Fund 272 by $151,500 in salary savings: The reduction equates to at least 3 full-time vacant Code Enforcement Officer positions. • The reduction of $1,260,000 in vehicle maintenance and the suspension of 300 assigned or take home vehicles.

• The suspension of the Vehicle Replacement Program within the Police Department. • A suspension of merit increases for all employees (including those not classified as “merit”). • A suspension of the sick leave incentive program. • A downward adjustment of the Group Insurance Match. Throughout the year the Department is asking everyone to be mindful of the economic climate and make only necessary purchases. Remember, this is a recommended budget by the CEO. The Board of Commissioners will adopt a final budget before March 1, 2009. The Department will keep you posted on the outcome.

Employment

Opportunities

JOB ALERT

Uniform Division is looking for dedicated and

committed

Police Officers

Encourage your friends and family to

join the DeKalb County Police

Department today by calling Background &

Recruiting at 770.724.7445

or visiting our website at dekalbpolice.com

For more adoption information call 404.294.3088

THE VIGIL — AN EVENING OF REMEMBRANCE

DKPD NEWSLETTERDKPD NEWSLETTER

If you or someone you

know in the Department would like to submit a birth announcement or

any information you would like to share with

the Department, send it to DKPD Employee News

at msparish@co.dekalb.ga.us

Come by today and take one of us home with you !

Page Page Page 222

PETS of the WEEK

Employment Opportunities

JOB ALERT

Uniform Division is looking for dedicated and

committed

Police Officers

Encourage your friends and family to join the DeKalb County Police Department today by calling Background &

Recruiting at (770) 724 - 7445 or visiting our website at dekalbpolice.com

Fluffy is a 10 month old super friendly and playful male cat. He is a cute little darling that would make a great pet. Fluffy hopes to become a new addition to a cat loving family.

Kate is a sweet two (2) to three (3) year old lab mix. She is very friendly and loves people. Kate likes visiting with the workers and volunteers at the shelter. She also plays well with the other dogs. Kate wants a home of her own and could be the perfect dog for you!

FLUFFY KATE

The bitter windy air might have extinguished the flicker of the candle flames, but the spirit in which the community came together warmed everyone’s heart as they remembered two (2) of DeKalb’s fallen officers. On the evening of January 15, 2009, the DeKalb County Police Department held a Candlelight Vigil to honor the lives of Officers Eric Barker and Ricky Bryant, Jr. The gathering also marked the one (1) year anniversary of their deaths. CEO Burrell Ellis, Chief Terrell Bolton, many of the Board of Commissioners and elected officials stood alongside DeKalb County Police Officers, the community and the family members of Barker & Bryant to remember the ultimate sacrifice of the two (2) officers. During the Vigil expressions of continued support were offered to the families. It’s that support Hilda Barker, mother of Officer Barker, says that has helped keep her strong through this tragic time. “This was a dream for him and it’s nice to know people really remember him and appreciate what he did,” said Mrs. Barker. The Vigil reinforcement that while Officers Barker and Bryant may be gone, they are not forgotten.

DKPD NEWSLETTERDKPD NEWSLETTER Page Page Page 333

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Faith or Fear: The Economy at a Glance

Regardless to how you define fear, all the economic indicators point to a bleak financial forecast that has most Americans anxious about their financial future. As more and more people find themselves homeless, jobless and penniless, the anxiety index increases and worry and panic overshadow calmness and faith. Surprisingly enough, the poor and the rich can suffer from fear. This relates to not having enough money, fear of losing it all in the stock market or fear that benefits or services will be reduced or be eliminated. From a biblical standpoint, faith involves having the confident assurance that God is in control and regardless to your circumstances, God has always been your provider and the source of your strength and protection. In the Old Testament there are numerous examples of people who forgot God as their source and they began trusting in and worshipping other things. Sometimes it takes an economic “meltdown” to get our attention and help us to determine what or who we place our trust in. If we have placed all our “eggs” in the corporate arena basket or our 401(k) retirement fund, then we may be boiling eggs in order to survive. However, if you have been a disciplined steward of your resources (debt to income) and you understand your priorities (placing God first) then the trepidation that others are experiencing is not having the same impact on you. As the future of our economy remains uncertain, there are things that you can do during these challenging times. First, get a grip on your emotions and realize that although you cannot control the big picture, you can manage your own resources. Learn to live within your means by managing your income and controlling your cash flow and expenses. Create a budget, reduce your spending, pay down and eliminate your debt and do your best to save, save, save. Remember that you are affected by what you hear. Fear produces a level of stress that will manifest itself in discouragement, anger, depression and violence. The Bible declares that faith comes as you place yourself in a position to hear from God, so limit the amount of negative gloom-and-doom that you allow yourself to entertain and spend time reinforcing your faith in the Word of God. Remember that your future is in the hands of God and faith overshadows fear when you learn to trust in God. Serving Him with Great Joy, Ben Gaither

DKPD Chaplain’s Office DKPD Chaplain’s Office “Serving Those Who Serve”“Serving Those Who Serve”

(770) 724 (770) 724 -- 7834 7834

TRAINING & LEGAL UPDATE: From the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council Case Law Update

Handley v. State, A08A1577

The DeKalb County Police Department has a new tool to keep “trac” of crime in the community. CRIMETRAC is an innovative mapping

system designed to give citizens a first hand look at crime statistics in unincorporated DeKalb County. CRIMETRAC provides accurate and timely crime data in the form of reports and maps. It allows citizens to search by a specific address or crime to find out what criminal activity is taking place in their community. CRIMETRAC is another element of the Department’s Interactive Community Policing (ICP) Unit’s partnership with the community. Public Education Specialists are currently getting the word out to their various neighborhoods and thus far they have received a lot of positive feedback. Here are just a few comments about CRIMETRAC from DeKalb County citizens:

DUI Search & Seizure Appellant contended that the trial court erred in denying her motion to suppress. The undisputed evidence showed that the arresting officer first saw appellant walking to their car in a shopping center parking lot. As appellant drove away, the officer saw that the car had no license tag, so he initiated a traffic stop solely on that basis. He observed nothing unusual about appellant’s driving. When he asked appellant for her driver’s license, he smelled alcohol on her breath and asked if she had been drinking. She initially said no, but when he asked her to submit to an alco-sensor test, she acknowledged she had been drinking “earlier that day.” The alco-sensor tested positive for the presence of alcohol. The officer performed no other field sobriety evaluations and testified to no manifestations of intoxication other than the smell of alcohol, the positive alco-sensor test and appellant’s admission to drinking earlier.

The Court reversed. The probable cause needed to conduct an arrest for DUI requires that the officer have knowledge or reasonably trustworthy information that a suspect was actually in physical control of a moving vehicle, while under the influence of alcohol to a degree which renders them incapable of driving safely. Here, the State offered no evidence showing that appellant’s driving ability was impaired due to alcohol consumption. The officer testified that he noticed nothing remarkable about her driving. The State presented no evidence showing that her speech was slurred, her gait was unsteady, or her eyes were bloodshot, watery, or glassy and the officer conducted no field sobriety tests. The only evidence offered was that the officer smelled alcohol on her breath, the alco-sensor test revealed the presence of alcohol and she admitted that she had been drinking “earlier in the day.” “This evidence is insufficient as a matter of law to constitute probable cause to arrest [appellant] for driving under the influence.”

KEEPING “TRAC” OF CRIME ♦ “Super website! There are plenty of

robust tools to help citizens stay informed.”

♦ “I will be training all our block captains

and neighbors. This is exactly what we need. Thank you DeKalb County Police Department!”

♦ “Excellent tool to enable neighborhood

watch programs to keep abreast on what is going on.”

For more information on

CrimeTrac log on to

www.dekalbpolice.com

Just click on the CRIMETRAC icon.

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!