LWPD K-9 Unit

At the December 16 City Commission meeting, Commissioners and everyone in the Commission Chambers stood and applauded the fine work done by the K-9 Officers of the Lake Wales Police Department: Officers Albert Coppedge and Dale Hampton. These officers were present with Chief Gillis as the City Commission approved the purchase of a new police dog (with funds from an unexpected FEMA reimbursement). The new dog replaces Canine Zeke, who succumbed to illness and passed away on November 28. The new canine, a German Shepherd named Fly, will partner with Officer Coppedge. Officer Hampton’s canine partner is a Belgian Shepherd named Rico.

These officers and their police dogs provide many valuable services for our town. Let’s explore this interesting aspect of police work: the history of using dogs in law enforcement, the types of dogs used, the training and cost, and their specific assignments.

History

Internet sites suggest that using dogs in police work grew out of their use in the military, with one site suggesting that this use can be traced as far back as the Roman Empire. In modern times, it is said that police dogs were used in the early 1900’s by the police department in London. The use of dogs by the German military during World War I has also been cited in the story of Rin Tin Tin, the famous German Shepherd that was left behind by retreating German forces. The dog was retrieved by a soldier and eventually transported to Hollywood for a career in the movies.
In the United States, a national organization for the use of police dogs was formed in 1964 and the widespread use of police dogs was realized in the 1970’s.

Types of Dogs Used

The most popular breed for police dogs is the German Shepherd, although there are a number of other breeds used as well – including the Belgian Shepherd (also called the Malinois), Rotweillers, and Doberman Pinchers. Historically, some departments have also used Bloodhounds for tracking suspects, and some airport police departments have used specially trained Beagles.

Training and Cost

Each canine police officer and the police dog must successfully complete in excess of 800 hours of training prior to certification. In addition, each work day the individual canine teams do obedience training, and each month both teams conduct 4 to 8 hours of training together.
An untrained police dog may cost between $2,500-$5,000. A police dog that has already been trained and certified by FDLE may cost between $10,000-$15,000.

In addition to the cost of the dog, a specially outfitted sport utility vehicle – a Ford Expedition – is used for the Lake Wales Police canine units. The special equipment needed for these vehicles costs about $2,500 per vehicle and includes an automated door opening system, a heat monitoring system with an alarm, and an air conditioned kennel. This equipment is in addition to the electronic equipment normally found in police cars, which includes a mobile data computer, a mobile camera video system, police radio, and emergency lighting system.

The vehicles used by the two Lake Wales canine officers are also four wheel drive vehicles, which allow the canine teams to operate in all terrains including agricultural lands and construction sites. During times when one of these vehicles needs servicing, the department keeps a Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor fully equipped for canine use as a spare.
The police dogs go home and live with their officer handlers. The Police Department provides funds for a kennel as well as dog food and veterinary visits at a cost of about $1,500 each year for both dogs.

The police dogs used by the Lake Wales Police Department are certified by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the National American Police Work Dog Association, in the various areas of law enforcement for which they are used.

Specific Assignments

The two Lake Wales’ police dogs perform many valuable functions in the performance of daily law enforcement duties. Their primary duties are:

· Tracking and apprehending suspects
· Searching buildings for suspects
· Searching for illegal drugs
· Searching for missing persons, including children and the elderly

One case that stands out was the tracking of an armed and dangerous subject by one of our police canines about 18 months ago. Our police dog led our officers to the crawl space beneath a house, where the suspect was found to be hiding. He was successfully apprehended.

Our police dogs and their officers add a very valuable service to the Lake Wales community!

LWPD Items of Interest

Let’s take a look at two informational items from our Lake Wales Police Department:

Lake Wales is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Unfortunately, we are still susceptible to the larger problems that affect other areas of the county and state… including crime.

When the economy takes a downturn, there is often an increase in theft. Recently we have experienced a variety of thefts, from homes, vehicles, and businesses. What can we, as citizens, do about this? Isn’t that something our police officers need to deal with?

The first and most important step in combating property crimes is this: We all need to realize that we are called upon to play an important role in preventing crime in our community. That means that we need to stay alert and be aware of our surroundings. When we see anything that is suspicious, or something that just does not seem quite right, we need to call the police.

If it is an emergency situation, we need to call 911. If it is not an emergency, please call the police at the non-emergency number: 678-4223. Our police officers will investigate anything suspicious, regardless of how small it may seem. Sometimes these investigations turn out to be something that could prevent a crime.

For example, a vehicle that looks out of place in your neighborhood, driving around slowly, could actually belong to a burglar planning to victimize a home in the area. Or someone you see running through your backyard or down the street may be running from a crime scene, or from the police.

Besides serving as eyes and ears for crime prevention, we all need to be mindful of making our homes, businesses, vehicles, and ourselves a much more difficult target for criminals. A great number of crimes occur when the criminal perceives that there is an opportunity for an easy score. Crime prevention experts tell us that by simply making it more difficult for criminals to work, they may very well move on to a different, less familiar area… and a crime was prevented.
Simply locking doors, checking to make sure windows are secure, and installing exterior lighting are all good ideas.

Our police department has information to help you be more crime resistant and reduce the chance of being a crime victim. Please contact Judi Gladue at 678-4223 extension 261 for more information on how to keep your home, business, and yourself, safe.

Chief Herbert Gillis invites all residents to register to attend the 2008 Citizens Police Academy.

Our police department will conduct the 2008 Citizens’ Police Academy from September 17 thru October 29. Courses will be conducted on seven consecutive Thursdays from 6 pm to 9 pm and on two Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm.

The Citizens’ Police Academy follow the training provided to law enforcement officers and includes the following topics:

• Canine Unit operations


• Crime scene procedures


• Drug recognition and identification


• Emergency vehicle operations


• History of law enforcement


• Less-lethal weapons familiarization


• Lethal weapons familiarization


• Patrol section operations


• Problem oriented policing


• Report writing


• SWAT Team operations


• Traffic control procedures


• Traffic enforcement procedures

Prospective academy participants can obtain an application by contracting Lieutenant Joe Elrod at 678-4223 extension 257 or e-mail jelrod@cityoflakewales.com.

Technological Advances in the Police Department

Tax reform continues to be a popular topic in Tallahassee. The first wave of property tax reform hit the budgets that were adopted by local governments last September. One-third of the cities in the state chose not to comply with the state legislature’s intended reforms (our City Commission voted to comply with the reforms and adjusted the city budget accordingly). The second wave, voted in on January 29, will also affect schools and will be reflected in the budgets to be adopted this September. The third wave is now being considered as the state legislature is in session. Some local government observers, including newspaper opinion writers, are calling on state legislators for careful consideration this time around to prevent core services including police and fire from suffering substantial cutbacks.

The belt-tightening in City departments has required some creativity. In the police department, senior management had already implemented some technology improvements and has expedited this trend by carefully budgeting (and seeking outside funding) for additional technological advances. The use of technology will help improve productivity and the effectiveness of patrol officers. Let’s review the police department’s improvements that have been made and those that are being planned.

Leading-Edge Technology Already in Use (Year provided)

Mobile Data Computers (2002)
These laptop computers installed in patrol cars provide officers with the ability to complete required documents, forms and reports in the field. As a result, preventative patrol time increased and the response to calls for service improved.

Tasers (2007)
Tasers project two small probes via insulated wires and transmit an electrical signal. Violent offenders suffer an immediate loss of neuromuscular control for the duration of the impulse. Each Taser is equipped with an audio-video recording device that allows officers to record information prior to, during, and after its use.

In-Vehicle Video Recording (2007)
Each patrol vehicle is equipped with an in-vehicle audio-video recording system. These devices provide a recording prior to, during, and after calls for service. This provides for accountability, and video evidence.

SOFICS (State of Florida Integrated Citation System, 2007)
SOFICS is a fully automated traffic management system that allows officers to print traffic citations, collect and warehouse data and transmit records electronically to the Clerk of Courts. SOFICS allows for a reduction of personnel resources in the Records Section, as inefficient data entry is no longer required. Efficiency will be further improved when electronic transmittal of records to the Clerk of the Courts is implemented later this year.

LiveScan (2008)
Implemented in 2008, LiveScan allows for the digital submission of offender fingerprints. Positive identification can be obtained on offenders within minutes, and offenders arrested for misdemeanor crimes can be processed at the Police Department rather than the County Jail in Bartow. As a result, operational costs are lowered and officers remain in the community to respond to calls for service.

Leading-Edge Technology Being Planned (year anticipated)

Wireless Camera System (2008)
The Police Department is planning to implement a wireless video camera system to view public areas. The system includes public WI-FI access for residents and will begin with four cameras. Additional cameras will be added in the future, and cameras can be moved as needed.

Thermal Imager (2008)
The Police Department will receive a thermal imager through a Department of Defense technology transfer program. Needing no light to operate, thermal imagers generate high quality images on the darkest nights, even through smoke. Uses will include patrolling construction sites to prevent copper theft.

Chief Herb Gillis substantially contributed to this article.