INSIDE the Lakeland Police Department

Fallen Heroes Poker Run - "Roar and Soar"

The charitable organization known as L.iF.E. and Kidz is sponsoring their first annual "Roar and Soar" motorcycle poker run on Saturday, November 10, 2007. Proceeds from this event go to benefit families of Polk County's Future Fallen Heroes within public safety, to include law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services, and the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranch.

The motorcycle poker run begins at the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranch on Hwy 60 East in Bartow and ends at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City. Admission into Fantasy of Flight Roar and Soar Air, Land, and Sea Festival includes live music, prizes, and drawings. Registration costs $25.00 per rider and $10.00 per passenger.

Registration at the event runs from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The last bike will be out of the starting point by 10:00 and inside Fantasy of Flight by 1:00 PM. You can get a copy of the registration form at www.lifeandkidz.com.

The Lakeland Police Department endorses this fundraising effort for our county-wide fallen heroes within public safety. If you enjoy participating in motorcycle poker runs, this is a fun event that benefits a worthy cause.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Weekly Crime Report Oct 22 thru Oct 28, 2007

Download tac_rpt_oct_22_thru_oct_28.pdf

Weekly Crime Map for October 15 - 21, 2007

Here is the weekly crime map of significant events for the period of Crime Map - 10/15 to 10/21.
Our thanks to Chuck at LakelandLocal.com for producing the map.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Six New LPD Officers Join the Department

Six new police officers took their oath of office and received their shields Friday afternoon during swearing-in ceremonies at City Hall. Police Officers Nellie Baez #309, Sharonda Bryant #110, Terrethe Gordon #118, Nicole Jackson #267, Shawn Waller #171, and Reserve Officer Dustin Fetz #211 are the latest members of LPD.

From left to right: Officer Waller, Officer Jackson,
Officer Gordon, Officer Fetz, Officer Bryant, and Officer Baez.

These six graduated from the four-week mini-academy on Friday and enter the field training program this weekend. We welcome our newest LPD family members and wish them much success as they begin their careers in law enforcement.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland Police K-9 Unit Earns Second Place Team Honors

We are pleased to announce today the LPD K-9 Unit took overall second place "Department Team" honors in the 2007 USPCA National K-9 Trials. Congratulations to the Ramsey County (MN) Sheriff's Office who unseated LPD from the top team position this year.

The USPCA also recognizes the top 20 dogs in the annual competition. A total of 132 dogs participated in this year's trials. LPD had two dogs finish in the top 20 - Officer Ted Sealey with K-9  "Bodo" placed 3rd and Officer Aaron Peterman with K-9 "Charieff" placed 11th.

Of local interest, we congratulate Bartow PD Officer Michelle Smith with K-9 "Vegas" who took the 14th overall position. Congrats also go to former LPD K-9 Officer Leanne Bennett who moved to Georgia a year ago to be closer to family. She returned to Lakeland with K-9 "Keito" for the trials as a member of the team from Lowndes County (GA) Sheriff and took the 7th overall place.

The top dog in this year's trials went to Officer Jeff Ellis and K-9 Tazer from the Mower County (MN) Sheriff's Office. They scored an incredible 691 out of 700 possible points. Tazer is just an incredible dog and a real joy to watch in action.

We extend our congratulations to all the teams who participated in the trials and wish for you a safe return trip home.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Weekly Crime Report Oct 15-21, 2007

Download tac_rpt_oct_1521.pdf

Lakeland Police K-9 Unit Receives Community Donations

The Lakeland Police Department's K-9 Unit received two donations during last night's public demonstration for the 2007 USPCA National K-9 Trials. These donations were the result of various fundraisers to raise money to purchase new police dogs as we retire our older dogs.

The Lakeland Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association presented Chief Boatner with a check for $12,000 following their year-long community project. Shown below are Chief Boatner, CPAAA President Justin Troller, and project committee members Christina Davis and Susan Herbolsheimer.

Also on hand to present a check were representatives from the Lakeland Association of Realtors who held a fundraiser earlier this month to support the K-9 Unit. LAR representatives donated $9,500 to the Unit to purchase new dogs.

We thank both of these organizations for their generous support of the Lakeland Police Department and our K-9 Unit.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

The Beauty of K-9 Teams in Action

I took some time over the past couple of days to watch various K-9 teams in action during the 2007 USPCA National K-9 Trials currently underway in Lakeland. And while I have witnessed these teams before, both at public demonstrations and in real life while searching buildings and apprehending criminals, it never ceases to amaze me with just how impressive these teams are.

The dogs are eager to "play" with their master and do what it is they are trained to do to keep us safe. Their enthusiasm and willingness to respond at a moment's notice is unforgettable, as is their willingness to enter extremely dangerous territory to protect their handler. Their sleek builds, incredible speed, and sheer beauty are something special to watch.

The same can be said for the handlers - officers (men and women) who dedicate their total on and off-duty hours to train a steady partner - each willing to make sacrifices for the betterment of the team.

You have a wonderful opportunity to witness some of the best K-9 teams in the country during the public demonstration Thursday evening, October 25th, beginning at 7:00 PM at the USA International Speedway in State Road 33. Various performances, skills demonstrations, and some action-packed skits are on the agenda. In short, you get to see these teams at their finest, showing what they do everyday to keep our communities safe.

And while you are at it, come out a little early and visit various law enforcement displays that will be on hand. It all makes for a great evening of watching "man's best friend" in the role of a Police K-9. Hope to see you there.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Updates from USPCA National K-9 Trials

Looking for updates from the 2007 USPCA National K-9 Trials currently underway in Lakeland?

Check our LPD News blog for daily updates from the trials. You can get that information at www.lpdnewsonline.org.

-Asst Chief Bill LePere

Weekly Crime Map for October 8 - 14, 2007

Here is the weekly crime map of significant events for the period of Crime Map - 10/08 to 10/14.
Our thanks to Chuck at LakelandLocal.com for producing the map.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere