Child Safety Restraint Inspections

An officer is trained to participate in and conduct federally certified child safety restraint inspections. The officer is a certified technician who is qualified to inspect child seats for defects, properly install seats and provide seats to concerned parents who have defective, inoperable or broken car seats. Residents are encouraged to call and make an appointment if they feel their seat may not be properly installed to protect their child.

An inspection normally takes between 15-25 minutes depending on the type of child seat. Call the department during normal business hours to make an appointment. This inspection program was developed to help parents understand the need to protect their children when driving their vehicles regardless of the distance they intend to travel. Remember, seat belts and child restraints do save lives.

Young Sherlocks Program

The police department developed a children’s program entitled Young Sherlocks in 2003. Dedicated to students in grades 1-5, this program teaches how police officers process crime scenes and the importance of doing a good job. The Young Sherlocks Program teaches the students analytical and critical thinking skills, team-building and problem solving.

Students are broken into three groups and exposed to a mock break-in of their classroom. Officers teach them how to protect, process, and collect valuable evidence to help solve the crime. The students learn the importance of working together to solve problems, working as a team and the importance of working and helping the police in their daily duties. We are excited to be the leaders in developing and promoting Young Sherlocks for children. Teachers in the elementary and middle school can call to make an appointment to meet with the officers conducting the program.

Senior Cell Phone Program

Our department initiated a program to provide senior citizens with a cellular phone enabling them to make emergency phone calls.

The program works quite simply: Individuals who upgrade or replace their old phones donate them to our department. The phones are inspected, charged, and packaged for dissemination to seniors. Any senior wishing to have a cellular phone, calls the department, makes an appointment and receives a phone at no charge to them. They are able to make 9-1-1 calls from the phone at no charge. The phones are not capable of making any other phone calls. Any senior in need of such a phone, may call or stop in to receive one.

AARP Seniors Safe Driving Program

The police department provides senior citizens with a traffic safety program through the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP). A certified trainer for AARP from the department and teaches the nationally accepted Seniors Safe Driving program. The program consists of updating seniors on new traffic laws, the hazards of driving while on medication, identifying and handling road rage, reporting requirements for traffic accidents, use of airbags and child restraints, and driving in inclement weather. Safe driving is everyone’s responsibility! Call the department for class dates and times.

Police Cadet Program

The police department works closely with colleges and universities to recruit and train students to become police officers. We are proud to be one of only two sponsoring police cadet programs in the county and are leaders in providing young college students the skills and opportunity to experience first hand how a police department works while offering them on-the-job experience to help them become certified police officers.

The department is most interested in those applicants who have demonstrated the motivation to receive hands-on experience in this occupational field prior to completing their education The program is in effect from May until September to accommodate the students’ college schedules. The Police Cadets are a welcome addition to the police department and our officers work diligently to provide them the work skills necessary to become police officers in the future. Call or stop in to receive a brochure outlining the program.

Police Chaplaincy Program

Reverend Glenn Stone of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was appointed the department’s chaplain in December of 2003. Chaplain Stone’s presence within the department has been instrumental in working with victims of violent crimes, suicidal individuals, grieving families and tending to our officers’ and their family’s needs. The Chaplain’s position is non-paid volunteer status and apart of the VIPS program. He also acts as a liaison between the police department and the local community for the furtherance of sound community relations. Chaplain Stone’s services are available to those we serve each day. Feel free to contact our Chaplain at the department by email or by phone.

Police Reserve Program

The organization is the longest standing in the United States and has been recognized for their performance and dedication to the safety of our citizens, police officers and visitors to our city. We commend them for their commitment to our community. Reserve officers are unpaid, non-certified reserve officers who work in conjunction with the police department during critical incidents, special events or natural disasters.

This program has received recognition from the VIPS program. The officers average 500-600 hours of service at no cost to the city each year. To apply, please contact the department during normal business hours.

VIPS Program-Volunteers in Police Service

Our department has recently joined the VIPS program. Volunteers in Police Service is a nationwide program dedicated to utilizing citizen volunteers for various duties. Our department has used volunteers for special event activities since 2003 and the program continues to increase in its use.

Citizens interested in becoming a volunteer must contact the department to obtain an application. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record, clear criminal background, good moral character and standing and be able to work in diverse working conditions. Call the department or obtain an application in our Forms section of the web site.

Family Internet Classes

The department fully recognizes the dangers of the internet for all those who use it daily. The computer whether it is used at work or home can be a very beneficial way of helping us to do many wonderful things. However, with the increase of identity theft, fraudulent email, spam, child and adult pornography, pedophiles, syber-bullying or stalking, the internet is becoming a very dangerous platform for all.

The department’s course teaches parents how to protect their children on line, eliminate spam, recognize phishing emails, avoid/prevent identity theft, recognize viruses and other problems plaguing users daily.

If your group or organization would like a presentation, complete the Request for Instruction form in our Forms section and mail or drop it off to the department and an officer will contact you promptly.

For more information, contact the department or stop in to obtain a brochure. You can also download a brochure (here) as well as our Family Internet Contract (here)

Student Police Academy

The department conducts a student police academy once a year to qualified Middle School students. The academy teaches young students how our department and the profession enforce the law; interact with children and adults, what equipment is used and the overall inner workings of the department. Students are involved in hands on activities such as accident and crime scene investigation, simulated firearms training, mock criminal trial, tour of the jail, felony traffic stops and investigations, and other police related activities.

Classes are held each Saturday for 4 hours in February through April culminating in an official department graduation. For more information, contact the department or stop in to obtain a brochure.