Police Department
Monthly Report
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Police Department |
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James L. Cetran
Chief of Police
On Monday, October 8, 2007 the Wethersfield Police Department hired two Probationary Police Officers. The first Probationary Police Officer is already a certified officer in the State of Connecticut. This officer received department orientation, basic firearms training, arrest & control and deadly force policy training from October 8, 2007 through October 16, 2007. He has completed his first phase of field training and is currently in his second phase. This training is expected to take approximately six weeks. He is expected to begin solo patrol during the month of November, 2007.
The second Probationary Police Officer received department orientation training for ten days. The officer began attending the Connecticut Police Academy on Monday, October 22, 2007. Graduation from the Academy is expected in March, 2008.
A third Probationary Police Officer has completed the first three phases of four Field Training phases and began Phase Four training. This Field Training is under the supervision of Department Field Training Officers. During the Field Training Program, the probationary police officer is observed and evaluated on a daily basis while he is expected to perform more duties with each phase. He is expected to begin solo patrol during the month of November, 2007.
On Thursday, October 11, 2007 six Wethersfield Police Department retirees successfully completed classroom and range qualifications under provisions of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (HR218). These qualified retirees can now carry, with some restrictions, a concealed firearm throughout the United States. This training was held at the Berlin Police/Mattabassett Rifle & Pistol Club Range in Berlin, CT.
On Wednesday, October 17, 24 & 31, 2007 the Wethersfield Police Department Training Unit hosted a three day class entitled "ICS-300 - Intermediate Incident Command System." This training was held in the Wethersfield Police Department Community Room.
On Wednesday, October 31, 2007 Sergeant Donald Crabtree began attending the five day International Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Sergeant Crabtree was selected by Special Olympics Connecticut due to his fundraising and awareness efforts over the course of the past nine years. Approximately 1,000 people from throughout the world attended.
On Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at about 2:30 AM a WPD patrol officer saw a passenger vehicle traveling on the Silas Deane Highway with no CT marker plate affixed to the front of the vehicle. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle but the vehicle operator continued some distance before finally stopping. The vehicle was occupied by the operator and a young child who was sleeping across the backseat of the vehicle. Upon speaking to the operator, the officer saw a glass pipe, recognized by the officer as paraphernalia used to smoke crack cocaine, in the operator's lap. The operator made statements to the officer that he did indeed just smoke crack cocaine. The male operator identified the young child as his girlfriend's daughter. The operator was subsequently charged with Risk of Injury to a Minor, Operating Under Suspension and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The case was also referred to the Department of Children and Families.
In October, 2007 members of the Detective Bureau initiated or were assigned follow-up to thirty-three new cases. Major case investigations include nine fraud cases, two burglaries, two identity thefts, two sexual assaults, five larcenies, and two sudden deaths. Detectives also processed four pistol permit applications.
On October 26, 2007 WPD officers and detectives responded to a reported gun shot victim on Great Meadow Road, Wethersfield, CT. An identified passerby reported that she had possibly seen a female slumped over in a vehicle with a possible gunshot wound to the head. Responding officers found a female and male victim in the vehicle, both suffering from gunshot wounds to the head. The female occupant of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The male occupant later succumbed to his injuries. WPD detectives were assigned to processing the crime scene as well as the follow-up investigation.
During the month of October, 2007 the School Resource Officer (SRO) investigated eight incident reports resulting in four arrests. These incidents include three public disturbance infractions and one larceny arrest. The other four incidents included larceny complaints, a MV accident and a found property complaint. The SRO also conducted five mediations and held two parental meetings regarding student disputes.
The SRO was also interviewed by a student for their social studies class. The SRO was requested by a health teacher to discuss the concerns of student sexual activity and the potential statutory concerns this would cause.
Finally, the SRO continued to monitor WHS lunch periods in the cafeteria, attended the weekly STAR team meetings and security committee meetings.
The Wethersfield Police Department Juvenile Unit handled forty-one incidents involving sixty-four juveniles. In these incidents, three juveniles were arrested for criminal violations. The remainder of these juveniles were diverted to their parents or other authorities without any further police investigation. The majority of these incidents involved suspicious activity or possible trespassing violations.
On October 6, 2007 the Wethersfield Police Explorers participated in the Craft Fair and the Mikey's Place 5K on October 14, 2007. The Explorer's assisted sworn WPD personnel. Due to simultaneous events on October 14, 2007 in the area of the Broad Street Green, the Explorers were an important part to maintaining the smooth operation of the Mikey's Place Road Race.
In October, 2007 Wethersfield Dispatchers received and handled 817 E-911 emergency phone calls. Wethersfield dispatchers dispatched the Wethersfield Volunteer Ambulance and Aetna Ambulance to a total of 291 medical emergencies.
In October, 2007 WPD Child Seat Technicians installed twelve child seats. The Support Services Bureau (SSB) continues to receive requests via the WPD web site as well as conventional phone messages. SSB personnel continue to work closely with the Wethersfield Volunteer Ambulance in coordinating child seat installations for residents of other area towns.
During October, 2007 twenty-two persons were taken into custody and held requiring 285 hours of incarceration. Of the persons held, twenty-one were arrested by warrant. Support Services personnel transported twenty-two prisoners to court. Transported to court were sixteen males and six females. The six females incarcerated by the Department required seventy-eight hours of matron coverage.
In September, 2007 the Support Services Bureau Commander received a complaint of speeding on Collier Road. A traffic study was initiated and completed in late September/early October, 2007. A speed monitoring device was placed on Collier Road for approximately two weeks during this time period. As with almost all streets in Wethersfield, there were sporadic spikes in speed most likely caused by one car at a given time. It appears that the maximum speeds listed were caused by only a few cars. This spike in speed will be addressed by both the Patrol Bureau and Support Services with radar enforcement at a targeted time.
In October, 2007 the Support Services Bureau Commander received a complaint of speeding on Back Lane. A traffic study was initiated and completed in late October/early November 2007. A speed monitoring device was placed on Back Lane for approximately two weeks during this time period. It appears that the maximum speeds listed were caused by only a few cars. Radar enforcement has begun with both warnings and infractions being given for speed violations.
The Support Services Bureau Commander continues to receive requests for added or replacement street signs. Several work orders were completed for new or replacement signs throughout Wethersfield. The following is a portion of completed work orders in October, 2007; numerous temporary "NO PARKING" signs were placed on several streets in Old Wethersfield for the annual Mikey's Place 5K Road Race which took place on October 14, 2007, numerous temporary "NO PARKING" signs were placed on Robbinswood Drive for the period October 5, 2007 through October 14, 2007 to help alleviate any parking situations that resulted from the large crowds that attended the grand opening of the Silas Robbins House at 185 Broad Street in Wethersfield and finally numerous temporary "No Parking" signs were placed on the east and west side of Highcrest Road in front of Highcrest School from Tee Lane to Cedarwood Drive for Highcrest Elementary School's annual Fall Festival which was held on Saturday, October 20, 2007.
On October 1, 2, 5, 9 &10, 2007 sworn personnel received annual training on "Arrest & Control, Handcuffing, ASP, Taser, Oleoresin Capsicum (OC), Use of Force and Pursuit Policy." Each officer received an eight hour block of instruction. Officers received instruction on unarmed arrest and control techniques, ASP expandable baton techniques/ blocks and annual pursuit policy training. Officers also received training on the use of the "Stop Sticks" tire deflation device and Oleoresin Capsicum. Officers were recertified in the use of the Taser X26, which is required annually. Officers were given written tests on Use of Force, ASP, Department motor vehicle pursuit policy, Handcuffing, OC and Taser. During the second half of the day of training, officers were put through five different scenarios in order to show their proficiency in the training they received in the morning hours.
On Tuesday, October 9, 2007 a WPD canine officer and Narcotic Canine Elaine began attending a three day training class entitled "Narcotics Detection Canine In-Service Training." The canine officer and Canine Lainey attended training at the Connecticut State Police Training Unit, Meriden, CT. This in-service training is conducted quarterly in order to maintain certification through the Connecticut State Police.
On Monday, October 15, 2007 two WPD officers began attending a two week class entitled "Drug Training for Investigators." Training was held at the Connecticut Police Academy, Meriden, CT. Objectives of this course included the investigative skills necessary to work within a narcotic unit setting in order to initiate and bring a drug trafficking case to prosecution. This course included classroom lectures as well as hands-on scenarios.
On Tuesday, October 16, 2007 a canine officer along with his canine, Hunter, attended a one day training class entitled "Police Canine/ Police Canine Handler Training." The canine officer and Hunter participated in this monthly canine training with several other area law enforcement canine teams. Training included evidence recovery and tracking.
On Wednesday, October 17, 2007 the Department Training Sergeant began attending a two day class entitled "Taser Armorer." Training was held at the Glastonbury Police Department. Objectives of this course included proper downloading of data, time synchronization and cleaning and repairing techniques for the Taser X26 and M26. The Training Sergeant is currently one of our Department's Taser Instructors.
On Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Chief James Cetran along with three lieutenants and a dispatcher began attending a three day course entitled "ICS-300, Intermediate Incident Command System." Training was held in the Wethersfield Police Department Community Room. Objectives of this course included to better prepare personnel to effectively manage large complex incidents, to enhance the skills necessary to implement the incident management process, develop an Incident Action Plan for a simulated Type 3 incident and describe how the NIMS Command and Management components support the management of expanding incidents. This course was held once per week and continued on October 24 & 31, 2007.
On Wednesday, October 24, 2007 the Administrative Services Bureau lieutenant and Department Records Supervisor attended a four hour training course entitled "Records Retention and Freedom of Information Requests." This training was held at the Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden, CT. Objectives of this course included information on records retention, technology, email, nolles, case erasures and unsubstantiated allegations.
On Tuesday, October 30, 2007 two WPD sergeants attended a two hour training course entitled "Sexual Harassment Prevention." This training was held in the WPD Community Room.
Fall Firearms training for all Department personnel is scheduled for the week of November 12, 2007. During this training, officers will be transitioning into their new Glock handguns.
The Wethersfield Police Department, Training Unit, will be hosting a two day course entitled ICS-400. This course will be held consecutive Wednesdays for two weeks beginning on November 7, 2007. This course will be held in the WPD Community Room.
The Support Services Bureau will be coordinating traffic assignments and parking details at this year's Wethersfield High School vs. Newington High School Football Game will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 22, 2007 at 10:00 AM.
Emergency personnel were dispatched to a total of sixty-five alarms during the month of October, 2007 of which fifty-six were deemed to be chargeable alarms. Twenty-five locations were billed this month for violating the false alarm ordinance. Thirteen new alarm registrations were mailed to residents and businesses in the month. To date there are a total of 957 locations with active alarm systems registered with the Police Department. Of the 957 registered, 903 or 94% did not have false alarms.
The following are the burglary and robbery statistics for the month of October, 2007 along with comparative statistics for the same period of last year. The figures in the parenthesis represent the number of cases cleared by arrest or in which the perpetrators have been identified.
| Criminal Activity | October 2006 | October 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Burglaries | 2 (0) | 2 (0) |
| Commercial Burglaries | 2 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Armed Robberies | 1 (1) | 0 (0) |
| Strong-arm Robberies | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
