Police Department
Monthly Report
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Police Department |
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James L. Cetran
Chief of Police
A Wethersfield Police Department Probationary Police Officer has completed fourteen weeks of basic training at the Connecticut Police Academy. Graduation is expected in March, 2008.
As of January 1, 2008 a WPD detective has been assigned to the State Attorneys' Cold Case Squad. In January, 2008 this detective was instrumental in solving a cold case homicide.
Citizen Surveys continue to be mailed and information collected. While final totals are not complete as of this date, the early picture indicates the citizens we serve are truly appreciative of our "department-wide" level of professionalism. These surveys are done as part of our Accreditation (CALEA) process. These surveys will be mailed through the end of February, 2008.
On Thursday, January 3, 2008 at about 1:30 AM an officer saw a vehicle turn onto the Berlin Turnpike from the Jordan Lane Extension. The operator committed several motor vehicle violations and the officer stopped this vehicle. A second officer responded and was able to see what she believed to be marijuana inside the vehicle. An investigation of the operator, the passenger and the vehicle revealed that the occupants possessed a large amount, 112.6 grams of marijuana and several narcotic pills. Based on the large quantity and separate packaging of marijuana, money lists containing names and dollar amounts, photos of marijuana plants believed to be a growing operation and other items, one occupant was charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell.
On Thursday, January 17, 2008 at about 7:30 PM a patrol officer saw a vehicle with a motor vehicle violation traveling south on the Silas Deane Highway. The officer stopped the vehicle and a second officer arrived on-scene shortly after the stop. Investigation revealed that there was an active arrest warrant for the operator from an October, 2007 Wethersfield Police case. In this case an officer responded to a Silas Deane Highway business on the complaint of a larceny. This business reported that overnight someone had stolen two aluminum diamond plated dock plates. The two dock plates, which had been attached to the loading dock, were described as being approximately valued at $2,150. The investigating officer checked local scrap yards and developed a suspect. The officer was able to recover the plates and return them to the business. A warrant was applied for and granted by the court. The operator was charged with Criminal Mischief and Larceny.
In January, 2008 members of the Detective Bureau initiated or were assigned follow up to twenty-six new cases. These major case investigations include a robbery, two burglaries, seven larcenies, five identity thefts, nine frauds, one sexual assault and an overdose death. Detectives also processed six pistol permit applications.
In January, 2008 a WPD detective, working in conjunction with members of the West Hartford Police Department Detective Bureau, investigated a large scale fraudulent check ring. These detectives developed a suspect who was believed to be involved in the large scale printing and cashing of fraudulent checks. As part of his crime, it was common for this suspect to hire others to cash these checks. This suspect was arrested by police on January 12, 2008. This suspect was responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars of fraudulent checks. Many of these fraudulent checks cases have resulted in further identity theft cases.
During the month of January, 2008 the School Resource Officer completed seven reports to include a larceny complaint, possession of alcohol by a minor, two trespass incidents, breach of peace, a public disturbance complaint and a missing person investigation. A juvenile referral was completed for the possession of alcohol by a minor incident. Infractions tickets were issued in both trespass incidents as well as the public disturbance incident. Finally, one criminal arrest was made in the breach of peace incident.
The SRO also held several mediations regarding harassment, breach of peace and larceny complaints. These mediations did not result in arrests.
Finally, on January 29, 2008 the SRO held an internet safety presentation at Silas Deane Middle School for parents. Approximately forty parents attended the event.
The Wethersfield Police Department Juvenile Unit investigated twenty-five incidents involving forty juveniles. Amongst the involved juveniles, four juveniles were arrested for criminal violations, eight were diverted to school punishment, nineteen juveniles were diverted to their parents and one juvenile was diverted to the Department of Social & Youth Services.
In January, 2008 the Juvenile Unit investigated an incident involving the forgery of U.S. currency in which two counterfeit $20 bills were brought to the Silas Deane Middle School. The counterfeit bills were discovered after an attempt to pass them to cashiers during lunch. The involved students were identified and later diverted from the juvenile justice system.
In January, 2008 school staff at the CCMC School, 170 Ridge Road, found a small baggie containing a rock like substance in the jacket of a student. An investigation by the Wethersfield Police Department showed the substance to be crack cocaine. The juvenile student was issued a juvenile summons, turned over to a parent and referred to Juvenile Court.
On January 30, 2008 the Wethersfield Police Explorers assisted a WPD D.A.R.E. officer with the D.A.R.E. graduation at Webb Elementary School.
In January, 2008 Wethersfield Dispatchers received and handled 750 E-911 emergency phone calls.
Wethersfield Dispatchers dispatched the Wethersfield Volunteer Ambulance to thirty-six medical emergencies and Aetna Ambulance to 206 medical emergencies for a total of 242 medical emergencies.
In January, 2008 the WPD Child Seat Technician inspected/installed eight child seats. The Support Services Bureau continues to receive requests via the Department web site as well as phone messages.
In January, 2008 sixteen persons were taken into custody and held requiring 241 hours of incarceration. Of the persons held, ten were arrested by warrant. Support Services personnel transported sixteen prisoners to court. Fourteen males and two females were transported to court. The two females incarcerated by the Department required 61 hours of matron coverage.
Support Service Bureau (SSB) officers continue to address citizen complaints involving traffic, parking violations and other motor vehicle violations. Citizens regularly complain of a variety of different violations on various town streets and a several town schools. To address these complaints, officers performed selective enforcement at numerous locations throughout town. Officers spent a total of 82.5 hours doing selective enforcement on various roads in town.
Over the last several months, the Town Manager requested the Support Services Bureau Commander to conduct a comprehensive speed study on Morrison Avenue. To address these complaints, the Stealth Stat machine was first deployed on Morrison Avenue for approximately six days in April, 2007 three days in June, 2007 five days in July, 2007 and then finally five days in January, 2008. In total the Stealth Stat collected data on Morrison Avenue for 431 1/4 hours. The data indicated that there did not appear to be a speed problem on Morrison Avenue. The amount of traffic and speed of traffic on that road is typical for its design, location and purpose. There are sporadic spikes in speed most likely caused by one car at a given time. This spike in speed can be addressed by radar enforcement at a targeted time. A copy of the speed study has been forwarded to the Town Manager and the Police Chief.
The SSB Commander continues to receive requests for added or replacement street signs. Several work orders were completed in January, 2008 for new or replacement signs throughout Wethersfield to include a replacement stop sign on Back Lane at Cottonwood Road, a replacement stop sign on Apple Hill Road at Whipporwill Way, a replacement hasp on the Elm Street meadow gate and replacement speed limit sign near 136 Apple Hill Road.
On Tuesday, January 8, 2008 two WPD officers attended a training class entitled "Driving Simulator." This training is held in Newington, CT. This four hour training class includes one hour of classroom/ observation and three hours of practical driving simulator exercises. The class, hosted by the Capitol Region Chiefs of Police, includes an evaluation of driving skills and decision-making skills during routine and pursuit driving scenarios. On Tuesday, January 22, 2008 two more WPD officers attended this same training class.
On Tuesday, January 8, 2008 a WPD 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, January 9, 2008 three WPD lieutenants along with two WPD sergeants attended a one day training class entitled "Supervision By and Of Union Members by Gordon Graham." This class was held at the Connecticut Police Academy, Meriden, CT. The instructor for this training was Mr. Gordon Graham, a nationally-known speaker and Captain (Ret.) from the California Highway Patrol, who focuses training on organizational and operational risk management issues. Objectives of this training included 'the role of the supervisor,' 'accountability and integrity,' and 'supervision by and of union members.'
On Monday, January 14, 2008 two WPD officers attended the five day "Police Officer Recertification Training." This training was held in Middletown, CT. This forty hour class is mandatory every three years to keep officers certified in the State of Connecticut. The training encompasses a wide variety of topics including ICS training, PRAWN training, legal updates, bias crimes, patrol procedures, juvenile law and domestic violence laws.
On Monday, January 14, 2008 a WPD lieutenant began attending a five day training class entitled "Mid-Management." This class was held at the Connecticut Police Academy, Meriden, CT. Training topics included leadership, decision making, labor management, budgeting and legal issues.
On Tuesday, January 15, 2008 a WPD officer began attending a two day training class entitled "Responding to Violent Combatants: Overcoming Size Differences." This class was held at the Connecticut Police Academy, Meriden, CT. The lead instructor for this training was WPD Lieutenant (Ret.) Kevin Dillon. Objectives of this training included the use of physical tactics particularly designed to assist smaller stature officers or female officers during arrest and control situations.
On Tuesday, January 22, 2008 a WPD Dispatcher began attending a two-day training class entitled "Simulation-Based Critical Incident Training for Emergency Response Dispatchers." This class was held at the Connecticut Police Academy, Meriden, CT. Training objectives include listing the seven critical tasks to be accomplished during the initial phase of an incident, performing those tasks in a simulated environment, describing the NIMS/ICS function during an incident, describing critical incidents and how command shifts take place as the incident progresses, observing the impact of obtaining critical information from multiple sources and making decisions regarding relaying that information appropriately to the field.
On Monday, January 28, 2008 a WPD lieutenant began attending a five day training class entitled "Police Internal Affairs." This class was held at the Connecticut Police Academy, Meriden, CT. Objectives of this class included conducting proper internal investigations and supervising internal investigations.
The Wethersfield Police Department, Training Unit, will be conducting Active Shooter, Aggressive Subject Response training for WPD personnel in the Town of Wethersfield during the week of February 18, 2008.
The Wethersfield Police Department, Training Unit, will be hosting one day of the Capital Region Police Recertification - Supervisor Program. This course will be held in the WPD Community Room on February 21, 2008.
In January, 2008 emergency personnel were dispatched to a total of fifty-two alarms. Eight new alarm registrations were received from residents and businesses in the month of January. To date there are a total of 992 locations with active alarm systems registered with the Police Department.
The following are the burglary and robbery statistics for the month of January, 2008 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 | January 2007 | January 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Burglaries | 4 (0) | 2 (0) |
| Commercial Burglaries | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Armed Robberies | 0 (0) | 1 (0) |
| Strong-arm Robberies | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
