INSIDE the Lakeland Police Department

Lakeland Police Announce Peace Officer Memorial

<p>The Twenty-First Annual Peace Officer's <a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=166,height=93,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/04/30/memorial_flower_2.png"><img title="Memorial_flower_2" height="140" alt="Memorial_flower_2" src="http://www.lpdnewsonline.org/images/2008/04/30/memorial_flower_2.png" width="250" border="0" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" /></a> <a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=166,height=93,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/04/30/memorial_flower.png"></a>Memorial Service will be held on May 8, 2008, at 10:00 A.M., at the Polk County Law Enforcement Memorial site located in the City of Lakeland Bicentennial Park on Lake Beulah Drive, adjacent to the Lakeland Center located at 701 West Lime Street, Lakeland, Florida.</p> <p>The public is invited to attend.</p> <p>All media inquiries regarding this event should be directed to Jack Gillen, Public Information Officer, at 863.981.0196. <a href="http://www.lpdnewsonline.org/files/08_26Memorialmap.pdf">Click here for map to Lakeland Bicentennial Park.pdf</a> </p> <p>Sergeant Terri Smith</p>

Weekly Crime Map for April 21 to April 27

Here is the weekly crime map of significant events for the period of Crime Map – 04/21 to 04/27.

- Sergeant Terri Smith

2008 "Do The Right Thing" Awards Finale Set

The Lakeland Police Department's "Do The Right Thing" Program will hold its final bi-monthly awards ceremony for the school year on Thursday, May 1, 2008, at 4:00 PM in the Community Room at the police station. Learn more here.

The end of the year grand finale is scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 2008, at 7:00 PM at Lone Palm Country Club. The overall winner for the 2007-2008 school year will be announced at that time.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Special Olympics Torch Journeys Through Lakeland

The torch of the Florida Special Olympics made its annual trek through Lakeland yesterday as law enforcement officers from Lakeland PD and other county agencies escorted the torch around Lake Hollingsworth Friday evening in the 2008 Law Enforcement Torch Run.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Torch Run, an annual event for Lakeland PD Captain Tom Day who served once again as coordinator of the run.

The run is designed not only to escort the torch across the state enroute to the annual games, but to raise funds for Special Olympics. The 2008 Summer Olympic games will be held May 16 - 17 in Orlando at the Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex and Champions Sports Complex.  Over 2,100 athletes will compete in bocce, cycling, soccer, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.

We wish the very best to every Special Olympian who will fulfill their dream this year of competing in the Games.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Weekly Crime Stats

Download tac_rpt_apr_1420.pdf

Lakeland Police Arrest City Employee for Grand Theft

<p>The Lakeland Police Department today arrested Robert A. Hudson, (W/M, DOB: 12/13/56), <a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/04/22/08_25a.jpg"><img title="08_25a" height="187" alt="08_25a" src="http://www.lpdnewsonline.org/images/2008/04/22/08_25a.jpg" width="250" border="0" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" /></a> 4815 Sand Mountain Road, Auburndale, Florida, on the following charges in connection with the theft of City of Lakeland property: Dealing in Stolen Property (F2), Grand Theft (F3), Scheming to Defraud (F3). <br /><br />Mr. Hudson is a supervisor at the City of Lakeland Wastewater Plant and all of these thefts involved scrap metal taken on more than one occasion from the wastewater facility located on 1825 Glendale Street in Lakeland. Mr. Hudson has been employed by the City of Lakeland since June 3, 1986. His salary is $58,718 per year. <br /><br />All media inquiries regarding this event should be directed to Jack Gillen, Public Information Officer, at 863.981.0196.<a href="http://www.lpdnewsonline.org/files/08_25CityArrest.pdf">View Media Release.pdf</a> </p> <p>Sergeant Terri Smith</p>

Weekly Crime Map for April 14 to April 20

Here is the weekly crime map of significant events for the period of Crime Map – 04/14 to 04/20.

- Sergeant Terri Smith

MADD Recognizes Lakeland PD DUI Officers

The Florida chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) recently held their annual awards ceremony in Tallahassee to recognize and thank law enforcement officers from across the state for their efforts to arrest drunk drivers.

Four Lakeland Police officers, all members of our DUI Unit, were recognized for each making over 100 DUI arrests in 2007. The officers include Officer Dennis Mosser, Officer Alex Gomez, Officer Sean Finney, and Officer Frank Fitzgerald.

Also receiving special recognition was Officer Sean Finney for making over 1,000 career DUI arrests. Mrs. Flora Price from the Polk County chapter of MADD was on hand to join in the festivities and thank the officers. She is shown below with Officer Finney.

We are gratefully for the dedication of these officers, their constant professionalism in the face of a most difficult assignment, and their unwavering commitment to removing impaired drivers from our roadways. Job well done guys!

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Weekly Crime Stats

Download tac_report_apr_7_13.pdf

Lakeland Police Dive Team Searches for Firearm

<p>The Lakeland Police Department Dive Team will be conducting an operation on Thursday, April 17, 2008, at Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland beginning at 9:00 am.&nbsp; The target location is next to Fire Station #1 and directly behind the Lakeland Fire Department Administration Building.</p> <p>The Dive Team will be utilizing the dredge and the magnet for this operation <a href="http://www.lpdnewsonline.org/files/08_24DIVETEAMOP.pdf">to recover a firearm (click here to read entire media release).pdf</a> </p> <p>Sergeant Terri Smith</p>