MPD The Beat Issue 9

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

MPDTheBeat

May 2018 ISSUE 9

PRAISE AND RECOGNITION FROM THE COMMUNITY

NICK CREPEAU OFFICER OF THE YEAR NEW OFFICERS GET TAKE-HOME VEHICLES

MARTHA BARTON CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL SERVICE GARDEN DESIGNED TO BUILD POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Jesse Sluder Officer of the Month

A MESSAGE FROM THE

CHIEF OF POLICE “The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.” —The late British Prime Minister, Robert Peel

Our quest to serve is two-fold When what is construed as damaging and negative behavior about law enforcement is given the highlighted attention, it is my pleasure to celebrate that which is effective and progressive for the common good of all of our citizens. This includes the citizens of our city who wear the law enforcement badge and have sworn to protect and serve the unsworn members of the community.

Although I am certainly very grateful and proud of the work that every division, unit, and section do every day, I would like to offer a very humbled “Thank you!” to the Homicide Unit. During the month of May, the Homicide Unit cleared three major cases: the shooting at the Grand Hall on Halls Mill Road that resulted in the murder of a 15 year-old innocent high school student, the murders that occurred on Driftwood Drive, and the murder that occurred on Lafayette Street.

While all murders are repulsive, the murder of an innocent teenaged child was especially egregious, senseless, and heinous. Because of your unrelenting determination to locate the perpetrators in all of these cases, I am sure that the victims’ families were given some expiated sense of closure in their grieving.

During the month of May, we also celebrated the unveiling of the Law Enforcement Memorial, erected in the Public Safety Memorial Park in memory of our fallen.

Our Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet was held this month as well.

Congratulations to Corporal Nick Crepeau, who was awarded Officer of the Year and to Mrs. Martha Barton, awarded Civilian Employee of the Year. And, congratulations to the former Captain Roy Hodge, who has been appointed Assistant Chief of Operations for the Department.

Reflecting on the opening quote, our quest to “serve and protect” is two-fold. As we serve our communities, we also serve ourselves as members of the community pursuing the assurance of a quality of life that is worthwhile and satisfying. Your great commitment fuels my desire and determination as your chief to ensure that the city of Mobile, our neighboring cities, and the nation realize what a dynamic, strong, yet compassionately sensitive group of law enforcement professionals that Mobile has been fortunate to assemble.

You are leaders, ladies and gentlemen. Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence and inspiration. Impact involves getting results. Influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work. Leading without a title does not pull or flex your power from your position, but from your competence and effectiveness as well as through relationships, excellence, innovation and ethics. You do indeed inspire one another through your diligent care of our citizens.

The Mobile Police Department honors Jesse Sluder as the Officer of the Month for April 2018. Serving as a police officer since October 2015, Sluder is assigned to Precinct 2. During the month of April, he responded to 116 calls for service and 24 backings. Sluder made 10 felony and 45 misdemeanor arrests and wrote 22 traffic citations.

According to his superiors, Sluder’s proactive nature and professional demeanor is what sets him apart. He is commended for his tremendous work in locating and arresting several suspects wanted for burglaries, robberies, thefts and other offenses. Read more about Sluder’s accomplishments.

EVENT CALENDAR JUNE 4 - JULY 13

CITY SUMMER LEAGUE CO-ED SOFTBALL AND BASKETBALL Sponsored by the City of Mobile Parks & Recreation Department, along with MPD and MFRD. Practice is Mondays and Tuesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 208-1657.

EDITORIAL CONTACT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

Charlette Solis ext. 1918 Corporal LaDerrick Dubose ext. 1926

THIS ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Captain Linda Tims Heidi Robinson Ronwick Thomas Submit ideas and info for the next issue!

EMAIL: charlette.solis@cityofmobile.org

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January May 20132018 - Newsletter Template | MPDTheBeat

Garden designed to build police-community relations Family intervention specialist Ronwick Thomas had an idea to create a garden that would build police-community relations. Today, it is growing into an intergenerational program. HarmonThomas Community Center senior citizens and youth are planting a variety of vegetables in 12 raised garden beds measuring 4 feet by 12 feet.

Already sprouting up are lima beans, squash, turnips, bell peppers, cantaloupe and tomatoes. “I believed a hands-on activity, besides basketball, might open the doors of communication with family intervention team specialists and police officers seeking to develop better relations with the kids at the community center,� Thomas said.

The garden project is a collaborative effort by the Office of Strategic Initiatives, Mobile Parks and Recreation Department, New Bayside Baptist Church and the First Precinct.

Above, Harmon-Thomas Community Center senior citizens pictured at the garden.

Left, the kids plant seeds in the garden bed.

From left, Katrina Frazier, recreation program supervisor; Cora Edwards, HarmonThomas Community Center supervisor; family intervention team specialists Katina Randolph, Gloria Hill, and Meosha Hart; and Office of Strategic Initiatives Commander Curtis Graves.

Funding for the garden was received from a Walmart grant through the National Recreation and Parks Association. Items purchased have included refrigerators, physical activity games, tables, white boards for nutritional classes, seedlings, soil and garden tools.

The boxes are color coordinated to identify which group is responsible for maintaining the garden beds. The groups include the Community Center youth and senior citizens and the New Bayside Baptist Church youth and senior citizens, and each have three garden boxes for planting. The plan is the cook a group meal with the harvest at the Harmon-Thomas Community Center.

The garden is located at 950 Weinacker Avenue on the New Bayside Baptist Church property in Mayesville . There is also an additonal garden box located behind the Harmon-Thomas Community Center.

January May 20132018 - Newsletter Template | MPDTheBeat

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Law Enforcement Memorial Service: To Remember and to Honor The chaplains of the Mobile Police Department and Mobile County Sheriff’s Office held a Law Enforcement Memorial Service on May 17 to remember and to honor local law enforcement personnel who died in 2017.

Although the service has been held annually for the past 50 years, this year the chaplains made it more special and memorable. Family members read the Roll of Honor. There were a total of 16 names. The line of duty death of Justin Billa was also on the Roll of Honor.

Mobile County District Attorney Ashley Rich was present to unveil and dedicate the new Mobile County Law Enforcement Memorial. The monument is dedicated to the guardians of our community who made the ultimate sacrifice –being killed in the line of duty. It stands at the Public Safety Memorial Park entrance near Government Street.

A family member traces the name of her loved one from the Mobile County Law Enforcement Memorial wall..

Bret Kirby, FBI assistant special agent in charge, delivered the memorial message. More than 30 law enforcement departments and agencies supported and were

A family member calls out her loved one’s name on the Roll of Honor as Chaplain Ed Connick stands by.

Holding Taylor in her arms, Erin Billa calls out Justin’s name during the Reading of the Roll of Honor.

represented at this service of remembrance hosted by MPD Chaplain Ed Connick and MCSO Chaplain Ron Pierce.

VIEW MORE PHOTOS

MPD Praise & Recognition from the Community I just want to tell you what an amazing job Officers Joshua Nix, Jerry Hoven and Paul Lee did for our neighborhood. There was one other officer. He was bitten by a dog and had to leave so I don’t recall his name. Due to the actions of those officers our drug problem has moved from our neighborhood. We can never thank them enough. Many other officers responded that day.

They took us seriously and helped make our neigborhood feel like home again.

—Johnnie Davis , Andrews Road

MPD Praise & Recognition from the Community My wife’s car was stolen out of our driveway the morning of May 9, 2018. We called the police and Officer Michael Barnett came out. We had located the car using an app locator, and my wife knew the area. Officer Barnett offered to drive her there to see if she could identify the car and I followed them in my car. We found it, and Officer Barnett made sure my wife stayed in his car while we checked it out. Once safe, he let her join him. He then dusted the car for prints, and followed us back home to complete his report. He was very kind, considerate and offered up some safety and security steps for our home to help prevent this type of thing. We are grateful that the Mobile police force has officers like Michael out there looking out for us.

—Chris and Mary Jane Schatzman, Hillwood Road

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May 2018 | MPDTheBeat January 2013 - Newsletter Template

Jade Davis recognized as Civilian Employee of the Month Jade Davis, secretary for the Criminal investigation Section, receives the Civilian Employee of the Month Award for April 2018. Davis is recognized for delivering excellent service in her administrative role and praised for the ability to motivate those around her with her positive attitude.

Davis was transferred from the Youth Services Detail to the Investigative Operations Division in November 2017. In the five months since the change, she has taken on significantly greater responsibilities including tracking and maintaining division time sheets, attending weekly Section COBRA meetings, and recording status notes for the Criminal Investigations captain. In addition to those added responsibilities, she has been involved in creating and dispersing section communications for the captain, and compiling monthly and quarterly division reports for the chain of command as well as directing calls for the Criminal Investigation Section detectives.

during high-volume walk-in periods.

Davis continues to go above and beyond by taking complaints and citizen requests, and aiding in providing transcription for the Special Victims Unit. Davis occasionally steps in to assist in writing reports

According to her supervisor, Davis demonstrates a high level of commitment and service to the department every day. She is described as being an asset to the department and organization as a whole.

Alisha Mixon promoted to radio communications officer (RCO) Congratulations to Alisha Mixon for her promotion to radio communications officer (RCO) on May 12, 2018! Mixon has been employed with the Mobile Police Department since September 2006, serving as a public safety dispatcher. In October 2012, she was promoted to public safety dispatcher II. Mixon has been working in the capactiy of acting RCO since October 2016.

During her career, Mixon has received several commendations that include Civilian of the Month and the Outstanding Civilian Service Award. She is known to be an inspiration to all who come in contact with her. Mixon’s supervisor says she is dedicated to her job, and is hardworking and thoughtful.

MPD Praise & Recognition from the Community I wanted to give feedback on a journey I took through the process of retrieving a lost firearm that was turned in to the Mobile Police. My journey went through many different voices and departments, ultimately to the end result which found me holding my firearm once again. I left my firearm in a hotel safe during Mardi Gras, which cleaning staff found and turned over to police.

After several days backtracking I made the call to the hotel and they informed me they turned it over to the Mobile Police. This was all the information I had. I began making calls to every number I could being greeted with friendly voices on the other end of the phone but not really making any headway into the retrieval of my firearm. After several days of phone calls I finally got a voice of a young lady who directed me to call another number and request to speak to a detective. I got a call several days ago and proceeded to drive to headquarters to pick up my firearm. My experience was this: Never once did I feel I was being looked at with suspicion or a problem. I was met with courtesy and professionalism. You have a smile brought to my face, as someone was paying attention to your professionalism and kindness. —Gregory Overstreet, Grand Bay January 2013 - Newsletter Template May 2018 | MPDTheBeat

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Corporal Nick Crepeau is Officer of the Year Corporal Judd (Nick) Crepeau, senior detective in the Homicide Unit, is our Officer of the Year.

Crepeau has demonstrated very highquality investigative skills, superior interview techniques and strongwilled motivation, which contributed significantly to an above average homicide clearance rate in 2017.

His personal clearance rate was 100 percent. He generated and completed 34 major case investigations.

Committed to obtaining successful outcomes in his investigations, Crepeau has dedicated countless hours toward resolving investigations, oftentimes working days with very little to no sleep.

Here are a few examples of the professional commitment that Crepeau has delivered to the department.

THE CASE OF 23-YEAR-OLD KELEI MORRIS, GUNNED DOORED AT HER DOOR AND KILLED Crepeau was assigned one of the most difficult and heartbreaking cases. On February 2, 2015, Kelei Morris, 23, was murdered.

Morris was a nurse at Mobile Infirmary. She had just gotten off work and was about to walk into her apartment. This is when she was gunned down at her door and killed. Through Crepeau’s investigation, he quickly developed the prime suspect along with an accomplice. Crepeau worked on this case diligently for the next two years.

During early 2017, Crepeau could not put this case out of his mind. He spent many hours, days and months working on the case to bring justice for Kelei Morris and her family. Crepeau prepared one of his largest, most complicated case files and presented it to the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, who was on board with Crepeau. The Mobile County District Attorney’s Office agreed to present the case to a Grand Jury where they would receive an indictment for murder on both suspects. On March 20, 2017, Crepeau along with other members of the Homicide Unit took one of the suspects into custody at his apartment. His accomplice was taken into custody in Denver, Colorado.

THE CASE OF “WHO DONE IT” — NO EVIDENCE, NO EYE-WITNESSES On June 16, 2017 at approximately 6:55 a.m., the Homicide Unit was called to investigate the shooting death of Eppie Farris.

Farris was found behind a vacant residence on Caroline Avenue. This case was one that had little to no evidence, no eyewitnesses, and was considered a “who done it”. Crepeau was assigned this case and immediately began tracking down leads.

On July 29, 2017 at approximately 9:40 a.m., the Homicide Unit was called to investigate the shooting death of Christopher Coleman. Coleman was found in the street in front of a residence on Fry Street. A little over a month had lapsed and Crepeau was assigned another “who done it”. Crepeau began to work on this case, tracking down leads and gathering surveillance video. Shortly after the Coleman homicide, Crepeau received information on the Farris case. Over the course of this investigation, Crepeau obtained information that linked him to the prime suspect connected to the death of Farris. While looking into this suspect, Crepeau found evidence that linked the suspect to the murder of both Farris and Coleman.

THE CASE OF 5-YEAR-OLD KAMDEN JOHNSON, FOUND DECEASED OFF DEMETROPOLIS ROAD On August 21, 2017 at 2:50 p.m., Crepeau was tasked with investigating the death of 5-year-old Kamden Johnson, who was found deceased lying on the ground in the front yard of a residence off Demetropolis Road. Johnson was discovered by a young girl who was walking home from school. Crepeau was able to identify the person responsible for the death of Johnson, took her into custody and recovered evidence to support his case, all within the same day.

Crepeau continues to demonstrate excellence as he goes the extra mile on each investigation – whether he is the lead investigator or assisting other members of the Homicide Team. His level of professionalism as an investigator is an example for others to follow.

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May 2018 | MPDTheBeat January 2013 - Newsletter Template

Martha Barton is Civilian Employee of the Year Martha Barton receives the Civilian Employee of the Year Award. Barton is extremely instrumental in the everyday operation of the Fourth Precinct. She exceeds the work requirements expected of an office assistant.

Barton requires little to no supervision and is always ready with providing any information from the precinct commander, precinct supervisors and all officers working on an assigned project. During 2017, she demonstrated her ability to go above and beyond to ensure the precinct runs smoothly.

Barton routinely is at work early and has all paperwork ready each day prior to supervisor arrival. She has it sorted by importance and prepared for review.

Additionally, Barton provides management support to the community resource officers who work at the precinct front desk. Prior to becoming an office assistant, she was a community resource officer. Barton understands what is expected of individuals working in that position and doesn’t mind helping as much as needed.

Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet and Awards Presentation The 2017 Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet was held at the Heron Lakes Country Club on May 17. Congrats to all who were honored with an award! NBC 15 News anchor Kym Anderson was the Mistress of Ceremonies and Dr. Jeremiah Newell, COO Mobile Area Education Foundation, was the keynote speaker.

Officer Darlene Looney McKean and Sergenat Pat McKean at the banquet with family members.

Lieutenant Charles Bagsby takes a picture with his wife before the awards presentation.

Detective Andre King with wife and Officer Fred Freeman with wife at the banquet.

Sergeant Chris Reed and wife take a picture before enjoying their meal.

January 2013 - Newsletter Template May 2018 | MPDTheBeat

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G.R.E.A.T. Kids and First Responders Day Celebration

The G.R.E.A.T. Kids and First Responders Day begins with Detective Sarah Badon cheering big with Fonde Elementary School students at the celebration held May 11 at Municipal Park.

In celebration of nearly 550 fourth-grade students graduating from the Gang Resistance and Education Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program, MPD honored them at the “G.R.E.A.T. Kids and First Responders Day” event. The students saw first-hand a display of the vehicles and equipment police use and got the opportunity to meet the officers who work in specialized positions – all while learning more about the job of a police officer and how police keep

Corporal Daryl Gipson shows Morningside Elementary School students the type of vehicle SWAT officers use.

the community safe. They also met a crew from the City of Mobile Public Works Department.

The event applauded the students for taking the pledge to be great citizens, avoid gangs and not participate in violence. It was a way Mobile police officers could continue to bond with the students while increasing positive attitudes toward law enforcement. VIEW MORE PHOTOS

A student pets one of police horses after Officer Aaron McKee talks about the work of the Police Mounted Unit.

WATCH FOX 10 NEWS coverage of the event with Commander Curtis Graves, Office of Strategic Initiatives.

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May 2018 | MPDTheBeat January 2013 - Newsletter Template

Chief starts FIT RUN FOR FRIDAYS!

From left, Officer Robert Lunsford, Det. Eugene Evans, Sgt. Scott Hanks, Cpl. Michael Ellzey, Major Randy Jackson, Cpl. Jennings Powell, Major John Barber, Sgt. Joshua Joerger, Lt. James Cunningham, Major Philip McCrary, Chief Battiste, and Commander Daryl Huff

Our chief has started a new thing called Fit Run for Fridays. Eleven members of the police department took part in the first run which started at the Mobile Police Academy to Ladd-Peebles Stadium and back to the Mobile Police Academy.

Once officers arrived at Ladd-Peebles stadium they ran the bleachers on both the west and east sides of the stadium. They then ran the bleachers in both the north and south end zones. After completing 100-yard dashes, the officers ran back to the Mobile Police Academy.

Chief Battiste hopes this is something where more officers can make a regular routine on Fridays. He believes this is one way officers can spend time getting in shape and a way to build comaraderie.

Chief Battiste leads the run with 11 other officers participating in the Fit Run on May 11.

New officers issued first patrol car Class 59 is the first group of officers to receive a take-home patrol car upon completion of their police academy training. Prior to getting into their cars, the 19 new officers were required to complete a 4-hour classroom course on the regulations and requirements to follow for the take-home vehicle.

Officer Troy Harrison, one of the officers issued a patrol car, expressed his gratitude. “We really do appreciate this and it is things like this that helps boost morale with the new officers,� Harrison said.

Assistant Chief Hodge said the idea came to him after he saw how the Indiana State Police issued their take-home vehicles. He thought it would be great to implement the idea with our department.

On May 18 the new officers received their take-home patrol cars in the back of police headquarters.

January 2013 - Newsletter Template May 2018 | MPDTheBeat

Officer Jayvien Banks is issued his first patrol car.

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