INSIDE the Lakeland Police Department

US Honor Flag Comes to Lakeland

The US Honor Flag will arrive at Orlando International Airport on Monday, December 26, 2011 on American Airlines flight 1888, at 11:05 a.m.  It will be transported to Lakeland in honor of Officer Crispin who died in the line of duty last week.  Lakeland Police, along with Polk County Sheriff’s Department and other area police departments will travel to Orlando to receive the flag to honor Officer Crispin and his service to the community. 

The US Honor Flag was flown over the Texas State Capital on September 11, 2001 and then gifted to Chris Heisler, who orchestrated it’s travel to Ground Zero where it flew over the recovery efforts.  Since then, the flag has traveled overseas, to outer space, and many funeral services to honor those who have made a commitment to honor and serve their country and communities.  It is truly an honor that Lakeland Police Officer Crispin will be among those that have been honored with the presence of this flag at his service.

For more information on the US Honor Flag, please see the links below:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/-Sunshine-State--Leads-Nation-in-Cops-Killed-by-Gunfire.html?soid=1103364065895&aid=14s-iPTXJS4

http://www.ushonorflag.org/

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Family of Officer Crispin Talks with Reporters

Several family members of Officer Arnulfo Crispin, along with Police Chief Lisa Womack, will be at the Lakeland Police Department to speak with reporters this afternoon at 2:30 p.m.  The meeting will be held in the Community Room at the police department, located at 219 N Massachusetts Ave. 

The family is requesting questions be submitted in advance, so they have an idea of what you will ask.  Please send your questions to Ann Dinges, PIO for the Lakeland Police Department by 2:00 p.m.  ann.dinges@lakelandgov.net.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Updates in Shooting of Officer Crispin

The gun recovered at the Crystal Court Apartments, has been identified as a match to a shell casing found at the scene in the shooting of Officer Crispin.  Further testing on the gun is being conducted and any other updates on this development will be released as they become available.

The suspect, Kyle Williams, now faces charges of First-Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer with a Firearm, after charges against him were upgraded. 

- posted Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Announce Funeral Arrangements for Officer Arnulfo Crispin

Lakeland Police are announcing funeral arrangements for Officer Arnulfo Crispin on behalf of the Crispin family.

The following funeral arrangements have been planned:

Public Viewing/Visitation

 Monday, December 26^th, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

                Resurrection Church

                3720 Old Rd. 37

                Lakeland, Fl 33813

Media is directed to park in the Medulla Baptist Church parking lot located at 3930 Old Road 37, Lakeland,  FL  33813.  The parking lot will open to media at 5:00 PM. 

Funeral/Graveside Services

Tuesday, December 27^th, 2011 at 10:00  AM

                Victory Church

                1401 Griffin Rd.

                Lakeland, Fl 33801

Procession following the funeral service to Oakhill Cemetery, 4620 US Highway 98 S, Lakeland, FL 

Additional instructions to media for parking at Victory Church and Oakhill Cemetery will be forthcoming.  PGTV will be handling the pool camera for the funeral and Calvin Knight of The Ledger will be handling still photos. Matt Costine of PCSO will be coordinating the pool camera arrangements for the funeral.

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

 

 

Lakeland Police to Particpate in Candlelight Vigil

Lakeland Police are going to participate in the candlelight vigil organized by citizens in honor of slain Officer Arnulfo Crispin.  The Lakeland Police Department appreciates the outpouring of condolences and well wishes for Officer Crispin.  The Candlelight Vigil will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 pm on December 21, 2011, in front of the Lakeland Police Department.  Massachusetts Avenue will be shut down during this time period.  Chief Lisa Womack will speak briefly to those present.

The police vehicle driven by Officer Crispin has been placed in front of the Lakeland Police Department.  Citizens in the community are invited to place flowers and other momentos on the vehicle in honor of Officer Crispin.

Candles for this vigil are not being provided to the public by the Lakeland Police Department.

Funeral arrangements for Officer Crispin are still being finalized.  They will be released as soon as they are available.

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Announce Death of Officer Crispin

It is with deep regret and sadness that Police Chief Lisa Womack announces the death of Officer Arnulfo Crispin.  Officer Crispin was gravely wounded during a check of three suspicious subjects Sunday night at approximately 10:15 p.m.  Chief Womack continues to ask that everyone keep his family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time.

The Lakeland Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Corps, Inc. has established the Arnulfo Crispin Memorial Fund for donations in relation to the shooting of Officer Crispin.  Donations can be mailed directly to the Lakeland Police Department at the following address:

Lakeland Police Department

C/O Arnulfo Crispin Memorial Fund

219 N. Massachusetts Ave.

Lakeland, FL 33801

Or, can be made directly to any Well Fargo bank location and indicate they are for the Arnulfo Crispin Memorial Fund.

Information will follow later today in reference to the services for Officer Crispin.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Chief Press Conference

Lakeland Police Chief Lisa Womack will hold a press conference tonight at 7:00p.m., at the Lakeland Police Department, located at 219 N Massachusetts Avenue.

No information will be released or questions answered prior to this press conference.

Lakeland Police Search for Weapon in Shooting of Officer Crispin

On December 20, 2011, Lakeland Police Officers, along with approximately 50 police recruits from Polk State College, are searching the Crystal Grove area for the weapon used in the shooting of Officer Crispin.  

Lakeland Police are offering a $1,000 reward to anyone with information leading to the recovery of this weapon.  Information on the location of the weapon may be called in to the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6900, reported to the hotline at tips@lakelandgov.net, or Crimestoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). 

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Update on Shooting of Officer Arnulfo Crispin

Lakeland Police are releasing some additional information on Officer Arnulfo Crispin who  remains in grave condition at Lakeland Regional Medical Center following the shooting that occurred on December 18, 2011. 

Officer Crispin began his career with the Lakeland Police Department on June 1, 2010.  Officer Crispin attended the Lakeland Police Department Mini-Academy and completed the Field Training Program that lasted three months.

Officer Crispin’s field officer training records indicate he is a good officer that conducts himself well on the job.  Officer Crispin was given good marks on his training.  He is a highly motivated officer and it was mentioned more than once throughout his training records that he has good police instincts.  Officer Crispin’s field training officers indicated he has a willingness to always learn more and continue to improve on the job.   

Some of the comments from field training officers taken from Officer Crispin’s files illustrate these qualities:

“Officer Crispin shows an outstanding demeanor towards his job and is very respectful towards citizens and co-workers.  He is also very open to learn and receives critiques very well.”

“Officer Crispin appears to be a pro-active officer who enjoys his job and is willing to continue improving along the way.”  Dated 10/29/10                                                                                                                                                

“Officer Crispin is eager to learn.  He has a really positive attitude toward the job.”  Dated 7/8/10

“Officer Crispin is a good listener, never has to be corrected about a mistake twice.  He shows excellent enthusiasm towards the job, and shows great pride in his work.”  Dated 9/13/10

“Officer Crispin is progressing well.   He is learning the duties of a police officer and putting what he learns to practice.  Officer Crispin is quickly becoming an asset to the Lakeland Police Department.” This was taken from Officer Crispin’s 6 month performance evaluation where received a rating of outstanding performance.

Chief Womack stated, “Officer Arnulfo Crispin remains in critical and grave condition.  The family is waiting for additional family members to arrive and they have asked for privacy.  There have been requests from the public about donations for the family of Officer Crispin, we are in the process of establishing a fund.  We will release that information in the near future.  We ask for the public to keep Officer Crispin, his family, and the Lakeland Police Department in your thoughts and prayers in this holiday season.”

Lakeland Police are continuing to interview witnesses.  Witnesses have positively identified Kyle Williams as the shooter and placed him at the scene of the shooting. We have every confidence that the person responsible for the shooting of Officer Arnulfo Crispin is in custody at this time.  Kyle Williams has been charged with Attempted First Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer with a Firearm.

There will be no further information released today.

 - submitted by PIO Ann Dinges

Lakeland Police Investigate Shooting of Officer Crispin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On December 18, 2011, at approximately 10:11 p.m. Officer Arnulfo Crispin checked out with three suspicious subjects at the 1900 block of Crystal Grove Lane.  Back up officers arrived on scene and found Officer Crispin shot and unresponsive.  Officer Crispin was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries where he underwent surgery.  Officers established a perimeter around the area and are continuing to investigate this shooting and are searching for a suspect.

Lakeland Police are assistance in locating

Kyle Williams

B/M, 5’7”, 130 lbs

Black hair /Brown eyes

DOB: 9/11/92

LKA: 230 Millard Av #2, Lakeland

Date of Warrant: 12/19/2011

Warrant Number: FORTHCOMING

Offense: Attempted 1st Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer w/Firearm

♦ Williams should be considered armed and dangerous. Use extreme caution when approaching subject.

♦ Williams possibly may be in the Crystal Lake Area.

A $20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the shooter is being offered.  Anyone with information may contact the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6900.

A press conference is being held at Lakeland Police Department, 219 N Massachusetts Avenue, in the Community Room at 8:30 a.m.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO