MPD The Beat Issue 17

MA KI NG MOBI LE T HE S A FES T CI T Y I N AMER I C A WI TH RESPEC T F OR E V ERYON E

MPDTheBeat

HOMICIDE’S “DROP DEAD CHILI” WINS OVERALL & PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

March/April 2019 ISSUE 17

Hardeman and Bullock Teach Forensics at St. Luke Episcopal School

CLASS #61 OFFICERS ISSUED TAKE-HOME VEHICLES LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN 2019

Officer of the Month

A MESSAGE FROM THE

CHIEF OF POLICE Lawrence L. Battiste, IV

The Good Guys Aren’t Losing the Battle Sometime ago I wrote to you that our quest to “serve and protect” is two-fold: as we serve our communities we also serve ourselves as members of our community, as we pursue the assurance of a quality of life that is worthwhile and satisfying.

Although it may perhaps sound like a cliché, but as I observed not just your response to calls for service, but your interaction with the citizens of Mobile I am truly humbled by your unselfish commitment to our city. I am much more encouraged in my own determination as your Chief, to ensure that the Gulf Coast and the nation realize the personality and culture of the law enforcement agency known as the City of Mobile Police Department is one that is energetic, resilient, empathetic and professional.

Let us continue to send blessing and well wishes to Officer Clayton Graham as he continues in recovery. Additionally, our prayers are with Corporal Talon Edwards and Officer Justin Tullie for restored health.

Congratulations to PSDI Ashley Foster as Civilian Employee of the Month for March 2019 and Precinct 4 Officer Tiffany Monte who is Officer of the Month for March 2019.

Your exemplary performance of duty is certainly valued and appreciated.

Please be reminded that the month of May is the Law Enforcement Memorial Month.

During that time we will assemble to pay tribute to law enforcement in our city and across the country, but let us remember all of our fallen officers and most recently, Officer Sean Tuder and his family.

The Department’s annual awards banquet is Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Heron Lakes Country Club. We look forward to seeing as many as can be present. The attire for the banquet will be Class A and Executive Dress (Staff ).

Sometimes as law enforcement agents trying to combat the unlawful situations in our communities, we can often feel doubtful of whether progress is being made. Let me encourage each of you that progress is indeed being made. Unfortunately, as in all societies the criminal element oftentimes takes the broadcast spotlight, which gives a faux impression that the “good guys” are losing the battle. For the most part those who are part of the criminal element are somewhat of a “revolving door” of perpetrators. And, at times a few new faces are added to those that enter and exit that door whether they are native Mobilians, or from other regions or surrounding areas. There is far more who stand with us than those who may go against the grain of our city’s mission, which is to live securely with dignity. Please know that Mobile is fortunate to have a plethora of law abiding citizens who have great personal standards of living —citizens who stand with us and truly support the institution of law enforcement.

Tiffany Monte is the Officer of the Month for March 2019. Joining the force in October 2015, Monte patrols the Fourth Precinct. She is commended for her proactive policing techniques within her beat, which has led to several drug seizures and arrests. In addition to servicing 65 calls and 21 backings, Monte made 16 felony and 24 misdemeanor arrests.

On March 10, 2019 at approximately 7:30 p.m., she initiated a traffic stop at Moffett Road and Tareyton Drive on a 2002 white Cadillac Deville for a traffic violation. A strong odor of marijuana came from the vehicle as Monte approached it. The occupants were detained and the vehicle was searched for contraband. Monte found a large plastic bag filled with marijuana, 25 Xanax bars, and a 44 caliber handgun stolen out of a residential burglary in September 2018. Two people were arrested on warrants that included attempted burglary and the stolen weapon.

On March 22, 2019 at approximately 2 a.m., Monte was checking Langan Park for suspicious vehicles when she pulled up on a vehicle and noticed the driver looking back at her. She observed him throwing a black 40 caliber Taurus handgun out of the driver’s side window. Read more...

EDITORIAL CONTACT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.” -Barrack Obama I remain appreciative to each of you,

Charlette Solis 208.1918 Sergeant LaDerrick Dubose 208.1926

THIS ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS

Captain Jonathan Lee Captain Keith Stallings Tonya Calhoun Heidi Robinson

ON THE COVER: Officer Anthony Black Submit ideas and info for the next issue!

EMAIL: charlette.solis@cityofmobile.org

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January 20132019 - Newsletter Template March/April | MPDTheBeat

Class 61 officers issued take-home vehicles

Detective Christian makes this little girl’s day with a chat

When asked how does it feel to finally get your take-home vehicle, Officer Robert Walker, pictured second in line, says this. “It’s kind of like your dad taking the training wheels off your bike for the first time.

You have this nervous, butterfly feeling of excitement. But with a sense of accomplishment, you accept it proudly knowing that you’ve been trained well.”

“Your officer took the time to take a picture with my daughter and talk to her at the mall. Please tell him he made her day.” —Brian Bramblett, Facebook Follower Eva Bramblett, 6 years old, shown with Detective Shaun Christian, Robbery Detail, and Prichard PD Officer Bowick.

Ashley Foster Named Civilian Employee of the Month Public safety dispatcher Ashley Foster has been named the Civilian Employee of the Month for March 2019. Foster began her employment with the Mobile Police Department Communications Unit in July 2013. As a five-year veteran, she continues to prove herself to be an asset to the department.

On Tuesday, March 5, 2019, Foster was assigned to the Precinct Two dispatch channel. At 10:37 a.m., Foster received notification that units were needed in the area of

Watch Story: Santa with a Badge at prom

southbound University Blvd. and Grelot Road in reference to a stolen vehicle spotted in the area. She immediately obtained all the vehicle information. A unit responded stating he was behind the stolen vehicle, occupied two times, and that it was going eastbound on Cottage Hill Road passing Demetropolis Road. Foster confirmed the vehicle information and advised the officer that the vehicle was showing active stolen.

Foster began preparing for a possible vehicle pursuit by notifying her co-workers that a unit would be attempting to light the vehicle up when backing arrived. With the suspect moving closer to another precinct’s area, Foster was able to start two more units to assist. Within a minute, backing came and the units were lighting the stolen vehicle up at Cottage Hill Road and Brannan Drive. Read more...

Mission group learns signs of DV Detectives Marcus Howell and Ophelia Weathington spoke to the mission group at Eleventh Street Church of God about domestic violence Saturday morning, March 16. The detectives left with bags of toys, donated by the mission group, for them to give to comfort kids affected by domestic violence.

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Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics The Mobile Police Department is the South Mobile County representative for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics. We raise awareness and show support for those competing in the Special Olympics. To honor the athletes, we bring the “Flame of Hope” in to the beginning games.

As a fundraiser, the officers purchased t-shirts in advanced. The proceeds were donated to the Special Olympics athletes for their travel.

On Friday morning, April 12, several Mobile police officers showed up for the event. With Chief Battiste in the lead, the runners started from the Western Administration Complex and ended at St. Paul’s Episcopal School. The route was just over one mile long.

The motor officers provide escort for the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Bottom left photo, Chief Battiste carries the torch with a Special Olympics athlete. Bottom right photo, the officers make a silly photo for laughs and fun memories!

Once the torch arrived at the stadium, it was then handed off to the athletes as they ran laps to mark the start of the opening ceremony. Thank you, Officer Darlene Looney-McKean, Narcotics & Vice Unit, for serving as our event organizer.

March Madness: MPD vs. Fonde Elementary School The MPD basketball team had its own round of March Madness when competing against the students at Fonde Elementary School.

The students earning academic awards got a chance to play against the police officers.

Interacting with the kids through a fun game of basketball gave opportunity to strengthen our police-community relationships with the From left, MPD players Officer Randy Peyton, Officer Roddrex Shelton, Corporal Tilford Saunders, Captain Jonathan youth. The game was Lee, Corporal John Spottswood, Sergeant Micahel Cook, and Officer Rashad Cunningham take a group photo with played March 27. the Fonde Elementary School players.

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National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week celebrated The Communications Unit celebrated National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week from April 14 through April 20. The operators participated in themed day dress down during the week, which included Retro, Fiesta, Wacky, Sports and Pajama Day. They enjoyed food and appreciation gifts from the Department, RCOs, Mobile County Communications District and officers.

Every day the operators had a chance to win at a raffle. The winners for the gift bags full of goodies were Carol Carroll, Dakota VestWright, Amanda Winfield, Ashley Foster and Tracy Houze.

The grand prize winners were Tracy Houze who got a Kate Spade backpack and Keyshawn Womack who won a dispatcher inspired wreath.

(Right top photo) Dakota Vest-Wright holding up her gift bag during Fiesta dress down day; (above left) Ashley Foster on Pajama dress down day showing off her winnings; (above right) Carol Carroll is all smiles; and (far bottom left) Keyshawn Womack, grand prize winner, holding up the dispatcher inspired wreath.

We love our Communications Unit! You play a vital role in public safety, serving both citizens and officers. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to MPD.

Family of the Fallen special donation

For her birthday, 9-year-old Katie Aubrey Boykin asked her family and friends to donate to the Family of the Fallen. This would be her birthday gift, and it’s all she wanted. Katie collected nearly $300 and presented her donation to Chief Battiste at police headquarters on April 16.

Law Enforcement Memorial Service Public Safety Memorial Park Thursday, May 16th at 10:30 a.m.

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St. Luke’s biomedical class learns about criminal investigation Biomedical students at St. Luke’s Episcopal School got a week-long course in criminal investigation. Lieutenant Rusty Hardeman of the Fourth Precinct, along with Corporal Jason Bullock, Identification Unit, taught the students.

On day one, Lieutenant Hardeman gave the students insight into how forensics is not only used by homicide detectives, as seen on TV, but how all police officers use forensics in criminal investigations. On day two, the students were given a real life murder case to examine.

Lieutenant Hardeman demonstrated step by step how the Zoa White case was solved by forensics.

A mock crime scene was created on day three.

The students had to investigate to see what forensic evidence they would collect and why.

Corporal Bullock also gave an Identification

Unit slide show. The next day, the students got hands-on experience with processing and lifting fingerprints. On day five, Lieutenant Hardeman took the students back through the mock crime scene so they could see how the Mobile Police Department would document it. The students also got to see the alternate light source used by the Identification Unit for detecting DNA evidence.

Diane McCleery, director of the Biomedical Health Science Program at St. Luke Episcopal School, says the training was valuable and her students learned so much. Lieutenant Hardeman and Corporal Bullock provided the training March 18 through March 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

Dodge Elementary gives donation Dodge Elementary School raised $467.30 for the Officer Sean Tuder Memorial Fund, which the Mobile Law Enforcement Foundation manages. Officer Gary Owens and Laura Angle, public safety grants administrator, are pictured with the check.

HAPPENING THIS SUMMER!

The Mobile Police Department & Mobile Fire-Rescue Department Family Picnic is Sunday, Aug. 4 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Camp Grace. It’s a family fun day for all!

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Fourth Annual Chili Cook-Off: Homicide’s “Drop Dead Chili” wins

Left photo: Detective Jermaine Rogers, Lieutenant John Angle, Sergeant Kenneth Gillespie and Detective Julius Nettles pictured with the People’s Choice Award. Right photo: Captain Rodney Greeley and Officer Blakely Miles preparing a bowl of chili.

Another great MPD Chili Cook-Off! At Mardi Gras Park, nine teams competed against each other with their best chili recipes. Hats off to the Homicide Unit’s “Drop Dead Chili” for winning Best Chili Overall and the People’s Choice Award.

In years past, the Fourth Precinct consecutively won the Best Chili Overall, whereas the People’s Choice Award has had a couple of different winners. This was the second time that Drop Dead Chili received the People’s

Choice Award. It was a winning taste in 2018. Second Precinct received the award in 2017.

Thanks to Port City Rental for donating the use of six large pots and propane burner/stands, and to Bob’s Downtown Restaurant for donating 80 pounds of meat and 18 large onions. Proceeds benefited the Mobile Law Enforcement Foundation and MPD Crime Prevention Unit. The event was held Saturday, April 13.

View more photos.

Easter egg hunt for Karleigh with her daddy’s brothers in blue Captain Keith Stallings found out that Karleigh Ely, daughter of the late Officer Kenny Ely, was having an Easter Egg Hunt at her school and was wishing that her daddy could be there. Well, we are all family here at the Mobile Police Department, so Captain Stallings assigned Lieutenant David Evans to go to the school and to take another officer with him to stand in for our former brother officer.

Lieutenant Evans took charge of this assignment and reached out to all of the precincts for any available officers.

Again, the responsibility of family became overwhelming as several officers arrived and proudly represented Karleigh is in the center holding her Easter basket. From left, Corporal Ben the department.

Towarnyckyj, Officer Deffery Hollis, Officer David Whitney, Lieutenant David Evans, Officer Jeremy Carter, Lieutenant Rusty Hardeman, Lieutenant Leron Lewis, and Lieutenant Paul Soulier.

Karleigh had a wonderful time hunting eggs and being watched over and cheered on by her many “family members” who she may have never before met. This is just another example of what it means when we say we are a brotherhood. Thanks to each and every officer who was able to get by her school between answering calls. Rest assured, your actions this day brightened the day for a wonderful child. Oh, and I am sure that brother Ely was smiling down at us and was very proud.

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