My Louisville
Find metro services &
locations by address
|
Women’s Citizen Police Academy
 |
The first Women’s Citizen Police Academy has begun!
Watch this space and read the weekly journal updates about the Academy.
Visit the Voice Public Safety Blog to see more and post your comments. |
Interest in the Women's Citizen Police Academy was overwhelming. Registration far exceeded capacity. OFW will be working with LMPD to host another academy in the future. Email your suggestions and comments to OFW.
|
 |
 |
|
March 25, 2009
Class #7
Old Louisville Information Center
This week we learned all about the Professional Standards Unit (PSU) and the Public Integrity Unit (PIU) – both are part of the Special Investigations Division. The PSU is the equivalent to Internal Affairs and investigates administrative complaints against LMPD employees (sworn and civilian). Informal complaints (initiated by a citizen but no sworn affidavit taken) are handled by the District or Unit Commander and once addressed, does not become part of the official file. Formal complaints (initiated by the Chief or a citizen) are handled by the PSU. A sworn affidavit is taken and notarized; copy is made of witness’ photo ID; testimony is tape recorded; witnesses are interviewed and findings/recommendations are sent to the Chief. If a formal complaint is determined to be criminal in nature, it is given to the PIU.
The PIU investigates allegations of a criminal nature involving any Metro employee, including LMPD. They may also handle special requests from State or Federal agencies. Some of the types of cases include:
· Officer involved shootings
· Use of force resulting in death or serious physical injury
· Traffic pursuits that result in death or serious physical injury
· Allegations of criminal activity by LMPD or local government employees
· Allegations of felony activity against Metro employees |
  |
|
March 18, 2009
Class #6
LMPD Training Academy
Class #6 started out with instruction on self-defense tactics from Sgt. James Thomas. The tactics he showed us utilized gross motor skills and focused on distracting and getting away. He began the session with some warm up exercises and then demonstrated and instructed on the following:
· Palm-Heel Strike
· Forearm Strike
· Chokehold release
· Groin Kick
· Elbow Strike
He then had the group put all five tactics into play with the final instruction of ….RUN! According to Sgt. Thomas, there is no right or wrong way to defend yourself – just give it 100% until you can get away from your attacker.
The second part of the class was an overview on Tasers and was presented by Scott Barto, Master Taser Instructor. Tasers deliver 50,000 volts/.0036 amps of electricity compared to 110 volts/16 amps for normal house current. Obviously, it is the amperage you have to worry about! Eight brave souls volunteered for a drive stun demonstration – which is a minor, but somewhat painful, example of how a Taser feels. I was not one of them….. |
 |
|
March 11, 2009
Class #5
Algonquin Firearms Training Academy
Range Master Sgt. Ed Goins provided an overview of the seven levels of “Use of Force” and how it is defined within the Constitution, Supreme Court decisions, Kentucky State Statutes and the LMPD Standard Operating Procedures.
Things we learned included:
· An officer needs to be able to explain that he believed himself or someone else to be in imminent danger of serious physical injury, when using his firearm – and if the firearm is fired, it is to be with the intention to stop the assailant and eliminate the danger. No shooting in the back while running away; no shooting at hands, arms or legs, no shooting at car tires.
Different weapons were on display and a firearm simulation demonstration was provided.
Information regarding a crime can be provided to the police anonymously via their quick tip webpage.
A follow up from last week’s class. On their website LMPD offers internet safety tips and crime prevention tips. |
|
March 4, 2009
Class #4
LMPD 8th Division
A presentation from Detective Arterburn on Internet Predators opened this week’s session. This portion of the agenda definitely opened our eyes to what is going on out there and how some of it is getting accomplished. There are two detectives assigned to these cases. They general get at least one new case a day and only 50% of those cases result in an arrest. Louisville has the 4th highest rate of sex searches on the internet and the 5th highest rates for searching for porn. In addition, the majority of perpetrators are white males, married with children and from affluent areas.
Here is one thing you need to remember and to make sure your kids understand – Nothing is truly private on the internet. Be aware of what your child does on the internet as some perpetrators utilize online game sites to gain access to kids.
To learn more – check out these sites:
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website
ECHO - Exploited Children's Help Organization – this is a local organization. Contact them if you want to volunteer or help in any way.
Part two of the agenda was presented by Donnie Masden and Dan Gillespie who gave an in-depth overview of how crime statistics are used to make staffing decisions. Data is collected and analyzed by division, sector and beat and presented to Chief White weekly.
You can learn more about crime in your area by using Metro WatchMap. To register to receive alerts from LMPD, sign on at the Citizen Observer site. |
|
February 25, 2009
Class #3
LMPD Community Relations Office
Officer Minerva opened up the session with a sobering presentation on the consequences of drunk driving and one young woman’s tragic story. Please share Jacqueline’s story with friends. http://www.bentbay.dk/dead_sprit.htm
The Center for Women and Families joined us to share their working relationship with LMPD. Some highlights from that presentation include:
· Domestic Violence is the leading cause of injury to women
· 1 in 3 women are battered in their lifetimes
· 30% of female murder victims are killed by their intimate partner
· The Center’s Hotline number is 581-7222
Additional information can be found at the following links:
· The National Domestic Violence Hotline
· The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
· Helpguide.org
We want to thank Shawn H. for stepping in and providing an overview of the Kentucky Court System and the Kentucky Constitution. A lively discussion centered on firearms and the expectation of privacy. Click on the link to learn more about our Kentucky Statutes. |
|
Journal Entry: February 18, 2009
Class #2
Tour of Headquarters
Participants in the first ever Women’s Citizen Police Academy took time for a group photo during their second class.
In 2.5 hours the class was provided a realistic overview and tour of the Major Crimes Division which includes the Evidence Technician Unit (ETU) / Crime Scene Unit (CSU); Crimes Against Children Unit (CACU); Sex Crimes Unit; Homicide and Robbery. Needless to say, there wasn’t enough time to handle all of the questions and to get into too much detail but here are some highlights: |
|
· LMPD covers 386 square miles (plus 37 miles of riverfront) with 1204 sworn officers and 315 civilians
· Findings from DNA collected by ETU and submitted to the State Crime Lab can take months – unlike the TV Series CSI
· There are 800 sex offenders on the Jefferson County Sex Offender Registry
· In 2008, there were 77 homicides – 52 were solved; 327 total cases were investigated – 155 were death investigations (with a majority being accidental overdoses); 85 suicides and 21 domestic violence-related fatalities |
· LMPD Robbery Unit has a website called A.S.A.P. (Armed Suspect Apprehension Program) where you can view evidential photos and/or video of an armed robbery in-progress and contact the lead investigator working the case with any pertinent information that may help in solving the crime
· The Robbery unit had 221 cases (using force in the commission of a theft on a business) last year, resulting in a 50% clearance rate
|
|
As a follow-up from last week’s Meth presentation, one of our classmates asked the question about the effects of Meth on children. To learn more about this, click here. | |
|
Journal Entry: February 11, 2009, Class #1
The Women’s Citizen Police Academy (WCPA) met for its first class at the Old Jail Building, current home of the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Louisville Metro Criminal Justice Commission and the Court of Justice Archives.
Twenty-two women braved the nearly 60 mph winds to begin this 12-week series. Officer Minerva Virola guided us through the agenda, which included an Academy overview and a Methamphetamine presentation.
Some interesting points regarding that presentation included:
|
· 70% of Metro Narcotics work is Meth-related
· 576 names are on the Meth Watch list (people being tracked due to their pseudoenephrine purchases)
· The purchase of cold and sinus pills (such as Sudafed) that contain pseudoenephrine, a key ingredient needed to make Meth, has become a cottage industry – with people being paid up to $75 to purchase just one box for the “cookers”
· The average grade completion level of meth “cookers” is 7th – 8th grade. |
· Children and seniors may be the most at risk – as they have no control over what happens in their environment.
· Over the past 4 years, cases have increased steadily. Last year reached 90+ cases. So far this year, 16 Meth labs have been found.
Next week all 35 of us will be taking a tour of Police Headquarters and learning more about crime scene investigation and forensics and criminal investigation.
Stayed tuned! | |
|
|
|
|