The outgoing Madison County grand jury noted significant improvements of the work of the officers of the Richmond Police Department Thursday in its final report.
During the January-June term, the grand jury met 19 times and heard more than 175 criminal cases investigated by Madison County law enforcement agencies.
“While previous grand juries have been critical of the (Richmond Police) department, we have no such criticism to make,” the report states. “The work of the detectives has been excellent. We thank Chief Larry Brock for his leadership of the department and commend him and all the officers and personnel of RPD for their efforts in correcting the problems encountered by previous grand juries.”
A grand jury report in July 2007 also commended the department for their improvements.
However, a December 2006 report by the grand jury listed multiple problems they observed in cases brought by Richmond police, including “incomplete investigations with insufficient follow-up work; bad judgment; procrastination; poor communication between officers and poor preparation.”
“The consequences of these problems is inconsistency that affects the ability to do justice,” the report stated. “Some officers did an excellent job with their cases; other officers, either from ignorance, laziness or attitude, presented poor cases that resulted in dismissals, amended charges, or required extensive efforts to make the case prosecutable. We believe proper supervision would eliminate most of these problems.”
Brock said he was pleased that the grand jury recognized the gains that the officers have made.
“The men and women of the Richmond Police Department have worked very hard over the past year to improve their performance and the delivery of their work product to the citizens, prosecutors and the courts,” he said.
“I would also like to personally commend the officers of the department for their hard work and dedication to making themselves better,” Brock said. “They are the ones who truly deserve the recognition for the gains we have made. I am very proud of them.”
In its report, the grand jury also thanked Madison Circuit judges Julia Hilton Adams and William T. Jennings, who both recently announced their retirement, for their service.
Adams said she would remain as a senior judge for five years, hearing cases as assigned.
“We thank you for your dedication to the rule of law and for ensuring that the citizens who appeared before you were treated fairly, equally and with the dignity and respect deserved by all,” the report states. “While your successors will no doubt continue the tradition of excellent judicial service we have enjoyed in Madison County, the standards you have set will be difficult for them to attain. Your wisdom, caring and work for the cause of justice has been greatly appreciated and will be missed by us all.”
Bryan Marshall can be reached at bmarshall@richmondregister.com or 624-6691.
Local News
Grand jury commends police officers
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Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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A Richmond country club is no longer offering dining to members, but remains available for catered events and will be open on certain holidays.
Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
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Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
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Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
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Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
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Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
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Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
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