INSIDE the Lakeland Police Department

Lakeland Police Honor Guard Posts Colors for Devil Rays Game

The Lakeland Police Honor Guard participated Tuesday night in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' "Lakeland Community Night" at Tropicana Field by posting the colors for the National Anthem before the game. City Commissioner Glenn Higgins threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Lakeland's night at the Trop, a fast ball that did not register much on the radar gun but would have still be called a strike!

Members participating in the event include Sgt. B. Shanley, Officer D. Vachon, Officer T. Thompson, Officer W. Long, and Officer S. Jett. Honor Guard Supervisor Sgt. H. Lehman accompanied the group as well.

Our Honor Guard is comprised of volunteers who serve a various functions, including funeral services, memorial services, and other department events. They practice their skills to maintain a sharp, crisp appearance whenever called upon to perform their services. We appreciate their dedication and the untold sacrifices they make to represent the department.

And for the record, the Devil Rays fell to the visiting Detroit Tigers by a score of 14 - 2.

     

-Asst Chief Bill LePere

Sixth Annual Lakeland Police Department Retiree's Luncheon

The sixth annual Lakeland Police Department Retiree's luncheon was recently held at the police station. This ritual began back in 2001 as a small way to pay tribute to the men and women who devoted so much of their lives to protecting and serving the citizens of Lakeland.

Every year prior to the meal being served, there is a special time where those gathered bow their heads and pause in a moment of silence to remember those who have passed away during the previous year and are no longer with us.

Participants enjoyed a scrumptious meal of bbq ribs, chipped pork, beans, and peach cobbler. It is said the group would be happy with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich as long as they were together as a group!

As stories of the past were told and memories were shared, there was much laughter and a true sense of camaraderie throughout the room. Participants admired the "new" additions to the developing LPD museum and some even came to the luncheon to donate a treasure from the past.

Based on the number of Hawaiian print shirts in the crowd, life as an LPD retiree seems to be pretty good. 

     

Everyone left in high spirts and secure in their knowledge that they have not been forgotten by their LPD family, and that their service was truly appreciated by those of us who still "protect and serve".

-Jack Gillen, Public Information Officer

Lakeland PD Sponsors Certified Public Manager Program

Today wraps up the first week of intense leadership and managerial training as 13 members of the Lakeland Police Department and senior managers from nearly every other City Department entered the Certified Public Manager program. Lakeland PD is proud to host the CPM program on behalf of the City of Lakeland.

So why are we hosting this leadership development program?

"Effective leaders inherently know the value of constantly seeking self-improvement and refusing to remain stagnant in ideas, thoughts, and practice. By continuing to grow, they can better fulfill their responsibilities of accomplishing their missions and developing others."             

    - FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, May 2007.

The CPM program is a nationally-recognized, comprehensive training and development program for public sector managers at all levels of state and local government. The program's aim is to professionalize the practice of public management by moving away from traditional management and embracing transformational leadership. The Florida CPM program is sponsored by The Florida Center for Public Management at Florida State University.

Lakeland PD CPM Level One Class Photo

The overall CPM program lasts for nearly two years and consists of eight levels. Participants attend a new level every three months. Each level involves four days of class room instruction and discussion followed by writing assignments. The various CPM levels include:

• Management of Individual Performance
• Management of Group Performance
• Management of Organizational Performance
• Managing Organizational Effectiveness
• Social Change and Its Impact on Public Management
• A Systems Focus
• Policy Perspectives
• Contemporary Issues In Public Management

The senior managers from Lakeland PD chosen to participate in CPM were selected to prepare them for greater leadership roles in the future. We are proud of their dedication and commitment to improving their leadership skills. Good luck on your journey.

Lakeland PD Senior Managers in the CPM Program

-Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics

Runners from law enforcement agencies in Polk County participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics this past Thursday. The Torch Run is an international program by law enforcement agencies to promote fundraising and awareness of Special Olympics. Lakeland's annual run has been coordinated by LPD Captain Tom Day for more years than we can remember.

Torches begin a month-long journey throughout Florida, carried by law enforcement officers and Special Olympians, to convene in Tampa in time for the annual games. In case you are interested, Florida's Special Olympics are currently underway this weekend at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

The Special Olympics of Collier County said it best...

"The Mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of well-coached, Olympic-type sports for persons with Intellectual Disabilities providing them with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness and prepare for entry into school and community sport programs. Athletes experience courage, sharpen their skills, and enjoy new friendships with other Special Olympic Athletes, volunteers, and the community. Special Olympics dwells on what these athletes CAN do, not what they can’t do. It is truly a moving experience to watch an athlete perform their best and meet their personal goal. Sometimes we lose a handle on the real world, and seeing these athletes brings us back to what sharing, giving, and happiness is all about."

The Special Olympics Athlete’s Oath is one that we should all live by...
“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Lakeland's Torch Run was a leisurely jog around Lake Hollingsworth Thursday evening. Approximately 50 people jog, biked, or in some cases just walked in support of Special Olympics. Special Olympian Clinton carried a torch and led part of the run.

Clinton leading the way!

In addition to the runners, volunteers from the Lakeland Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association and the Community Services Unit were on hand to register participants and distribute water at the half way point. We appreciate the assistance of our volunteers!

Photo Gallery

 

-Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland PD Hosts Violent Crime Analysis Training

"I knew long before I started killing that I was going to be killing, that it was going to end up like that. The fantasies were too strong. They were going on for too long and were too elaborate."

        From: Sexual Homicide: Patterns and Motives, Ressler, R. K., et. al. (1998)

These chilling comments give you a peek into the week-long criminal investigative analysis training class at Lakeland PD that wraps up on Friday. We have played host to investigators and crime analysts from the United States, Canada, and the Grand Cayman Islands who came to Lakeland for advanced training in violent serial crimes. Crime Analysts from Lakeland who attended the training include Sgt. Terri Smith, Ms. Sue Eberle, Ms. Olivia Escobedo, Ms. Rebecca Swick, and Ms. Brenda Wallace.

An International class of Investigators and Analysts

Our instructor for the week has been Mr. Wayne Porter, a former FDLE Agent and an FBI certified criminal profiler. Mr. Porter is one of 50 sworn police-fellow profilers in the world. He has worked on numerous sensational cases involving serial killers, probably the most famous being the Gainesville murders for which Danny Rolling was convicted and later executed.

The class curriculum focused on patterns of behavior exhibited by sexual deviants, serial killers, and violent crimes against the elderly. The class also included a visit from FBI Supervisory Special Agent Michael Harrigan and FBI Crime Analyst Christine T. DePoyster who presented a segment on the FBI's ViCAP program.

ViCAP stands for Violent Criminal Apprehension Program, an effort to coordinate the sharing of data related to serial violent crimes across the country. ViCAP operates a data warehouse that collects information from law enforcement agencies across the United States about violent crime. ViCAP queries the data for similarities that may link crimes to each other indicating a common perpetrator. In this way, serial offenders are discovered and investigators in different jurisdictions are able to share information and evidence to make arrests.

We appreciate the opportunity to host this training and to share our beautiful city with our international guests. Though we hope the skills learned in this training will never be needed in Lakeland, our analysts have a deeper understanding of the behavioral traits exhibited by sexual deviants and serial killers.

 

- Sgt. Terri Smith
  Crime Analysis Supervisor

April Do The Right Thing Winners Announced

The final bi-monthly awards ceremony for this year's "Do The Right Thing" program was held last week with six local students receiving recognition for various acts of positive behavior. Mr. Frank O'Reilly, Polk County School Board District One, was the Guest Speaker. He encouraged the students to not only do the right thing but always do your best and treat others with dignity and respect.

The overall winner was Jorge Poz, Jr., a 6th grader at Southwest Middle School, who was recognized for his heroic actions during a home invasion at his residence. Jorge's father was attacked by an intruder. Jorge remained calm and shepherded his younger brother to a safe location away from the intruder and then called 911 to summon aid. Jorge was noted as being particularly calm and level-headed during this traumatic incident.

Chief Boatner and Jorge Poz, Jr.

Other nominees included:

Rachel Cumberledge, an 8th grader at Southwest Middle School, nominated for her actions when she found a class ring on the campus of Florida Southern College. The ring had the year "1999" inscribed on it but no student's name. Along with having the school name, school authorities were able to locate the owner who had lost her class ring back in 1999 on the FSC campus and thought she would never see it again.

Jessica Haley, a 6th grader at Blake Academy, was honored for her actions in reporting a burglary to her neighbor's house by a kid she knew from the area. Jessica watched the subject break into the house three times one afternoon and take various small items. Even though the subject told her not to tell anyone, Jessica reported her observations to the police who were able to make an arrest.

Kayla McClellan, a senior at Kathleen High School,  developed what she calls  "Kayla's Closet", a  collection of prom gowns for special needs students. Kayla feels that everyone should look good on the outside to help them feel good about themselves on the inside. She collected prom gowns and suits and gave them to students with special needs for their big prom night.

Colin Tyrone, an 8th grader and Lawton Chiles Middle Academy, was nominated for his efforts to be a positive mentor to a student needing special attention. Colin eagerly accepted his role as a mentor and worked with the student to teach him appropriate behavior in the school. He even got other students to help teach the right way to behave, in essence increasing his positive influence many times over.

Takarria Young, an 8th grader at Southwest Middle School, was honored for her willingness to assist officers in their efforts to locate a witness to a shooting. Takarria saw a BOLO sheet and gave her School Resource Officer information about the witness and the crime.

April 2007 DTRT Nominees with Officer Skinner

Congratulations to all of the nominees. The final DTRT banquet, where the year's overall winner will be announced, will be held on May 24, 2007. We will bring you those results once the winner is selected.

-Sgt. Melanie Dixon,
  Supervisor/School Resource Unit

LPD Volunteers Honored For Their Service

Over 100 police volunteers and their guests were honored at the annual Lakeland Police Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Friday night as part of National Volunteer Week. The volunteers were treated to a bar-b-que dinner at the Police Training Center in recognition of their service to the Lakeland community.

The volunteers came from a wide range of LPD programs, including Victim Advocates, DART volunteers, Neighborhood Watch Block Captains, the Neighborhood Association Coalition, Police Athletic League coaches, Police Chaplains, and the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association.

LPD staff members served the dinner as the volunteers got the night off from assisting the police department (though several tried to help clean up at the end - we had to tell them to go relax and enjoy the evening).

Chief Boatner thanked the volunteers for their commitment and dedication in assisting the police department deliver the wide range of services we provide the community. There are simply not enough police employees to do all that we do; we rely on our volunteers to help in whatever way they can.

The night was simply a fun time filled with fellowship and laughter as we celebrated the invaluable contributions made by the volunteers.

We salute your service and look forward to a continued partnership with our wonderful volunteers.

-Asst Chief Bill LePere

 

Saluting Lakeland Police Volunteers

April 15 - 21, 2007, is National Volunteer Week, and the Lakeland Police Department would like to take a moment to thank the many citizens who so graciously volunteer their time and talents toward our mission. We could not deliver the broad range of services that our community expects from us without the dedication and support of our many volunteers.

Our police volunteers are part of the national Volunteers in Police Service program and come from all parts of our community. They serve in such distinct programs as the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, the Neighborhood Association Coalition, the Community Emergency Response Team, and our Police Athletic League. You will see volunteers helping and comforting crime victims as Victim Advocates and Domestic Violence Advocates with our Domestic Abuse Response Team, and we even rely on volunteers to keep our Aviation Unit operational. Our police chaplains volunteer their time to provide spiritual support to department members and the community whenever the need arises. The list goes on an on.

LPD is hosting a "Volunteer Appreciation Dinner" this Friday, April 20, 2007, from 6:00 - 8:30 PM at the Police Training Center, 3030 E. Lake Parker Dr as our way of saying thank you to our many volunteers. All of our volunteers are invited to attend; call the Chief's Office if you have not yet received your invitation or RSPV'd that you will be there.

We look forward to seeing everyone Friday evening.

-Chief Roger Boatner

Lakeland Citizens' Academy Visits LPD

The City of Lakeland Citizen's Academy made a stop at Lakeland PD this past week as the class members learned about community policing in our town. Participants were introduced to the mission of LPD and how our policing strategies are intended to work hand-in-hand with the City's overall vision of a community with an exceptional quality of life. But so much for the theoretical stuff - they really wanted to see what goes on behind the scenes at LPD.

Our guests were taken on a tour of the Emergency Operations Center and the Communications Center before arriving at an equipment display in the rear parking lot. Tactical gear from the SWAT and Hostage Negotiations Team was on display, as was equipment for the Dive Team. The helicopter was on hand that evening as well as SWAT's armored rescue vehicle. A K-9 demonstration was part of the two-hour presentation as well.

The Citizen's Academy is intended to give participants an overview of various city government departments before earning their honorary degree in "Governmentology". The class visits the Fire Department next month.

This is probably a good time to shamelessly insert a promotional plug and invite everyone to apply for the upcoming Lakeland Police Department's Citizen's Police Academy which begins in August. Visit our web site at the link above and download an application. Classes begin on Wednesday, August 15th and run for 14 weeks, three hours an evening. Participants will be introduced to every aspect of the Lakeland Police Department. Slots fill up fast, so take a moment and apply now.

Annual LPD Open House: What a Special Day!

Our recent Open House was held last Saturday, March 17th. The turnout was spectacular as an estimated 1,500 people attended the half-day event. The weather was simply perfect, and the kids seemed to really have fun at the many displays set up for their enjoyment.

Tours of the police station were in high demand as 18 different groups were escorted throughout the interior of the station with stops in the Communications Center, the Emergency Operations Center, the prisoner holding cells, our Patrol Briefing room, and the ever popular Crime Lab. K-9 demonstrations captivated the audience outside in the rear parking lot. From the helicopter and tank to the SWAT team's gear, the tools of our trade were on display for viewing as well.

Special thanks to the many community groups who set up booths, helped cook and serve hot dogs, or volunteered in numerous other ways behind the scenes to make this event a huge success. Those groups and/or businesses include:

Home Depot, Lakeland Moonwalk, Explorations V Children's Museum, Army National Guard, Amerigroup, Nathaniel Robinson (hot dog chef extrordinare!) Lakeland Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, Neighborhood Association Council, and the Community Emergency Response Team.

We look forward to seeing you again next year at the 2008 Open House. Below are some photos from the day's activities you might enjoy viewing.