External evaluation of RPD complete

Local News

October 14, 2008

Heather Harris The Richmond Register Tue Oct 14, 2008, 08:34 AM EDT

An external review of the Richmond City Police Department has been completed.

“It’s an overall picture of where we have been and where we hope to go in the future,” Chief Larry Brock said.

A group of nine Kentucky Regional Community Institute assessors turned in the nearly 90-page evaluation report, which first began in January, to Brock earlier this month.

“We invited the assessment team into the department to evaluate multiple issues as they relate to the community policing,” Brock said.

“We anticipated that the study would help us gain a better understanding of how the community perceives the department and also provide us with baseline information for use by the department in developing its community-oriented policing efforts. We felt that it would be a tool to help us improve and grow in the future, but we first needed to see where we stood.”

The process of the assessors hopes to identify the current status of the department as an entity in and of itself, as well as, how the police relate to community leaders and the populace at large.

The mission of the Kentucky Regional Community Police Institute (Kentucky RCPI) at Eastern Kentucky University is to “encourage and enhance the implementation of community policing in Kentucky in order to create safer communities through training and technical assistance.”

The Kentucky RCPI is one of a network of 27 regional community policing institutes strategically located throughout the nation and funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

“Building trusting relationships within their respective communities,” is one of the major goals listed by RCPI.

The nine-member team was headed by John Mills, a retired lieutenant with the Louisville Metro Police Department. He is a graduate of the National Crime Prevention Institute, Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

Other members of the team that assessed Richmond’s city police included:

• Tracy A. Schiller, former assistant police chief of the Shelbyville Police Department and a former major and assistant chief with the Louisville Division of Police. Schiller is a training specialist with the KRCPI at Eastern Kentucky University.

• Ed Brodt, associate director of KRPCI. He served as chief of police in Anchorage, Ky., and retired as captain from the Jefferson County Police Department. Brodt holds a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Police Administration.

• Lt. Col. Cindy Shain (Ret.) serves as co-director of the KRCPI and deputy director of the Justice & Safety Director at EKU. Shain was a founding member of the Kentucky Women’s Law Enforcement Network and holds a master’s degree in Loss Prevention and Safety and a bachelor’s degree in humanities from Bellarmine College.

• Lt. Col. Jim Griffiths served as the deputy chief of police for investigations with the Louisville Division of Police. Griffiths received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville and management training from the FBI National Academy, the Southern Police Institute, the National Crime Prevention Institute and the U.S. Secret Service.

• Roy McFadden is a retired corporate executive who served as general manager of national account sales for General Electric Co. He is a graduate of Madison Business College and did graduate work at Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

• Brian Williams is associated with the University of Georgia’s Department of Public Administration and Policy. He previously served as the assistant dean for student affairs in the School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University.

• Dr. Jeff Magers is an associate professor of the Law and Public Policy Program of the California University of Pennsylvania. Magers teaches full time in the graduate programs in law, public policy and homeland security. Magers is also a retired law enforcement officer from the Jefferson County Police Department.

• Maj. J.R. Wilkins (Ret.) served as assistant chief in charge of special operations from the Bowling Green Police Department. Wilkins is a graduate of the 110th Administrative Officers Course at the Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville and is enrolled at Western Kentucky University, majoring in sociology with a minor in criminology.

In addition to meeting with several community, civic, judicial and law enforcement groups, the assessors also conducted surveys with more than 150 citizens of Richmond with a variety of backgrounds.

“We encourage the department to make it (the report) well known and to use this as kind of a road map of things they can do and things they can put in place to create a more community-oriented atmosphere,” Brodt said.

Brock said the report will be widely circulated and looked at numerous ways in order to benefit the force.

“The report has been shared with the city commission and other city officials,” Brock said. “It has been provided to our officers for review and will be posted on our departmental Web site for the public to view.”

Heather Harris can be reached at hharris@richmondregister.com or by phone at 624-6694 or 893-2341.

Text Only

Local News

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.

February 7, 2012
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.

February 7, 2012
EKU closes dining room at Arlington Clubhouse
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.

February 7, 2012
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.

February 6, 2012
Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.

Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.

February 6, 2012
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.

February 6, 2012
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.”

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
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.

February 6, 2012 2 Photos
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.

February 6, 2012
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.

February 6, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

External evaluation of RPD complete

Have you ever attended a meeting of a local government agency or taxing district?

Site Map