2008Annualreport.Pdf

Rockwall Police Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Rockwall Police Department is to provide a safe and secure city. Through community partnerships, fair and impartial enforcement of the laws, and by maintaining standards of excellence; this department demands the highest levels of integrity, honesty, and trust in keeping with the traditions of our city. We as professionals will always be responsive to the needs of our citizens and visitors and are committed to providing this service with distinction.

2 Chief’s Message

On behalf of all the dedicated men and women of the Rockwall Police Department, I am pleased to present our 2008 Annual Report.

Our mission as an organization is to provide outstanding police services, thereby ensuring Rockwall is a safe and secure city for our residents and visitors. Along with the hard work of the members of this department, the successes we enjoy from our community support and partnerships contribute to a very high quality of life.

Some of our 2008 accomplishments:

Crime Rate: In 2007 we enjoyed a signiﬁcant decrease in Part 1 Crimes (those reported to the FBI) and violent crime. In 2008 we saw an increase in those categories, however we saw an overall decrease in total crime of 2.66% even though our population and commercial area of the city increased. This is especially notable since we experienced another increase of 6.32% in the number of calls for police service on top of the record increase in calls set last year.

SWAT Unit: In the Spring of 2008 we were able to complete the selection and training of ten ofﬁcers and two sergeants to create a SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) Unit. In addition to their regular duties, these ofﬁcers received intense training and will be called on for those tactical situations requiring this special training and weapons.

Quality of Service: The 2008 Citizen Survey gave an overall approval rating of the Police Department of 94% by those who used our services and 96% by those who had not used our services. Those were the highest ratings of any city department and followed the trend of the ratings set in the 2003 and 2005 Citizen Surveys.

Our successes are directly related to community partnerships and we invite you to join us in keeping Rockwall a safe community by participating in programs like a neighborhood crime watch, the Citizens or Business Police Academy, or any other program conducted by the Community Services Division. We are committed to serving this community. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions or concerns.

Mark C. Moeller Chief of Police

3 Police Administration

The command staff of the Rockwall Police Department is under the direction of the Chief of Police and consists of the following personnel: Assistant Chief of Police, three Lieutenants and an Executive Assistant. The responsibilities of the command staff are to maintain high standards of department excellence through instruction and leadership. Typical activities of the command staff include: coordinating departmental operations, strategic planning, monitoring the progress of special projects, attending community meetings, coordinating available resources, and developing and implementing policies and procedures. Additionally, the command staff manages departmental ﬁnances by monitoring and approving expenditures, reviewing and submitting payroll, and conducting annual budget planning and preparation.

ROCKWALL POLICE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATION CHART

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4 Administrative Services Division

The Administrative Services Division of the police department is managed by a Lieutenant and consists of the following units: Communications, Information Technology, Crime Analysis and Records. The Administrative Lieutenant’s duties include overseeing the various units in the division, budgeting, and recruiting of new employees to the police department

Communications

The communications unit of the police department answers all non-emergency and emergency 911 calls for the Rockwall Police Department, Fire Department and City of Heath’s Department of Public Safety. There are eleven non-sworn communication specialists and one non-sworn supervisor assigned to this unit. In 2007, Electronic Satellite Pursuit Currency trafﬁcking software was installed in the communication center. This software allows communication specialists to track the location of stolen currency after a bank robbery and then forward that information to the ofﬁcer on the street.

2008 Calls for Service: Rockwall Police Department 28,875 Rockwall Fire Department 923 Heath Police Department 3,398 Total Calls Dispatched 33,196

5 CALLS FOR SERVICE 2008

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CALLS FOR SERVICE 2004 – 2008 COMPARISON

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6 Information Technology

The Information Technology Unit is responsible for the maintenance of the public safety computer infrastructure. This includes the maintenance of the City-wide network, updating software, virus deﬁnitions, and keeping up with training on equipment and software upgrades. There is one full time Computer Manager and one Computer Technician/Crime Analyst assigned to this unit.

The public safety infrastructure consists of the AS400 which is a mainframe for the Police Department’s records management system (RMS), the computer aided dispatching system, an IBM RS6000 which is the main message switch linking the mobile computers to the mainframe, and the mobile ﬁeld reporting server where the mobile software resides and operates.

Every patrol car is equipped with a mobile laptop that links them to the police network, making it possible for ofﬁcers to receive their calls over the laptop which provides them with the address and other pertinent information regarding a call. Ofﬁcers are able to check persons and property through TCIC/NCIC for wants and warrants, add notes to calls, do inquiries on persons through our RMS, retrieve departmental General Orders, and send messages between cars and dispatch.

In 2008, the IT department upgraded the RS6000 message switch. This allowed for more storage, improved backup capabilities and faster processing. This was needed to complete the transition from the old TXDPS TLETS access to the new CAD (computer aided dispatch) interface mandated by the State of Texas. The IT department also implemented the new Omnixx system that was made available by the State of Texas. This web based query software was implemented statewide for use by State and Local communications centers. The new software has individual logons for audit tracking, more options for processing messages such as drop down menus, and improved online help menus. All of this allows for faster response to citizens’ needs.

7 Crime Analysis

Crime Analysis is a precise method of providing crime patterns, trends and statistical information. The Rockwall Police Department has one full time Crime Analyst who also doubles as our Computer Technician. The Crime Analyst will perform data analysis and report crime statistics, trends and patterns. The Crime Analyst is also responsible for suspect-crime correlation, proﬁles and other police research.

The duties of the crime analyst include, but are not limited to: • Assisting police ofﬁcers and detectives in the investigative process; • Providing statistical information to the Command Staff; • Providing statistical information to the citizens of Rockwall and other interested agencies; • Detecting and mapping current crime trends and patterns; and • Alerting ofﬁcers about criminal activity through the use of crime bulletins and maps.

Each year we analyze and compare our crime rate by utilizing the crime index. The crime index is calculated by taking the number of crimes in any type of category and comparing those numbers to the estimated population for that year. To make a more accurate comparison from year to year we further break it down on crimes reported per 1,000 residents. That means the number in any category reﬂects the number of crimes for every 1,000 residents throughout the entire year.

The Part 1 offenses if the Uniformed Crime Reports (UCR) is the category we use in comparing our crime index. Part 1 offenses are those crimes that must be reported to the FBI by every police agency in the country. They consist of the total numbers of all murders, rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries, thefts, and motor vehicle thefts occurring within the agencies jurisdiction. The following table compares 2008 with the previous four years:

8 CRIME INDEX TOTAL CRIME VS. POPULATION 2004-2008

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VIOLENT CRIME INDEX VIOLENT CRIME VS. POPULATION 2006-2008

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9 PROPERTY CRIME INDEX PROPERTY CRIME VS. POPULATION 2006-2008

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10 Records

The Records unit is responsible for handling all reports generated by the Rockwall Police Department.

This unit controls and maintains the integrity of the Rockwall Police Department records system by providing and preserving the storage of police records under strict guidelines of confidentiality. Personnel assigned to this unit perform an extensive amount of data entry into the New World records management system, entering accident and arrest reports along with compiling misdemeanor and felony cases for filing with the District Attorney’s office. Other services provided by the Records unit include processing the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and Uniformed Crime Reports (UCR) to the Texas Department of Public Safety and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, issuance of daycare center/worker permits and solicitor permits. The Records unit is staffed with one sworn supervisor (the Computer Manager), and three Records Clerks. This has allowed for more efficient responses to both the public and internal customers by coordinating assigned duties as an essential function, we strive for 100% satisfaction in customer service to all our customers.

In 2008, the Records Unit processed the following:

• Cases ﬁled with the District Attorney’s Ofﬁce 1,066 • Accident Reports 718 • Arrest Reports 1,568 • Daycare Permits issued 157 • Solicitor Permits issued 33 • Alarm Permits 2,924

11 Patrol Division

The Patrol Division is the primary provider of police services to the community. This service is comprised of traditional law enforcement activities and innovative, proactive strategies based on Community Policing and Problem Solving models. The many functions of the Patrol Division include; enforcement of city ordinances and state laws, crime detection and suppression, trafﬁc enforcement and education, accident and crime investigation and response to calls for service.

As the most visible members of the Police Department, the “beat officers” are the first responders to calls for service while patrolling the streets of Rockwall. Specialized units such as our Traffic and K-9 also offer support to the Patrol Officers in answering calls for service.

Patrol: The patrol division is the largest division in the police department with strength comprised of one Lieutenant, six Sergeants and forty Officers. The patrol division is responsible for the preliminary investigation of calls for service, traffic enforcement, and accident investigation. The patrol division is made up of the following units: patrol, traffic, and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT.)

Traffic Unit: The traffic unit consists of four officers. This unit consists of two motorcycle officers and two officers assigned to special traffic vehicles. The primary duties of this unit are traffic enforcement, advanced accident reconstruction and escort functions. “To Save Lives” is the Traffic unit’s primary objective. By aggressively enforcing the most serious moving violations (i.e. speeding, running stop signs and red lights, etc.) and seat belt violations; officers strive to influence the driving behavior of individuals which will result in fewer accidents and injuries.

• 718 Reported Accidents • 10,634 Trafﬁc Citations • 91 Handicap Parking Violations • 3,273 STEP Violations

12 K-9 Unit: This component consists of one ofﬁcer, or handler, whose responsibility is investigating calls for service, trafﬁc enforcement and searches/seizures.

SWAT Unit: The Rockwall SWAT Team consists of thirteen (13) members, ten (10) unit members, two (2) Team Leaders and one (1) Commander. These ofﬁcers work in assignments throughout the department and are “called out” from their primary duties. Historically, utilizing a highly trained, highly skilled police tactical unit has been shown to substan- tially reduce the risk of injury or loss of life to citizens, police ofﬁ- cers and suspects. It is the intent of the Rockwall SWAT Team to provide a highly trained and highly skilled tactical team as a resource for the Rockwall Police Department in the handling of critical incidents.

The mission of the Rockwall SWAT Team is to support the Rockwall Police Department and any other requesting law enforcement agency with a tactical response to critical incidents.

Special Programs

STEP (Selective Traffic Enforcement Program) In 2008, the police department continued participating in the STEP program. The purpose of this special program is the reduction of traffic complaints, traffic related fatalities and injuries. The objective is to influence the driving behavior of individuals within the community.

State of Texas “Click it or Ticket” Program The Rockwall Police Department participates in the “Click it or Ticket” program during the Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday weekends. This intensive program has been instrumental in having citizens remember to buckle their seat belts. It has been attributed to saving lives nationwide.

Bicycle Patrol Unit The bicycle patrol unit is a special unit that is utilized during special events and in patrolling of The Harbor District. All ofﬁcers working the bicycle unit have been properly trained and certiﬁed on bicycles.

13 % OF SWORN OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO PATROL DIVISION (this includes ofﬁcers and sergeants)

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14 TOTAL DEPARTMENTAL STRENGTH

OFFICER TO POPULATION RATIO (authorized strength at the end of the budget year)

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OFFICER TO POPULATION RATIO (actual strength at the end of the budget year)

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15 Criminal Investigation Division

The Criminal Investigation Division is organized into the following units: Investigative, Special Crimes, Community Services, Crime Scene, Warrant and Property/Evidence.

The division consists of twelve sworn and two non-sworn employees supervised by a Lieutenant and three Sergeants. The Special Crimes Unit includes a Deputy from the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Department. Additionally, a sworn ofﬁcer is assigned to the division for a six month period through the Ofﬁcer Enrichment Program.

Investigative Unit: This unit is responsible for the follow-up investigation of offenses reported to the Rockwall Police Department and those referred by other law enforcement agencies or judicial entities. The investigative unit is also responsible for registering, de-registering, and tracking sex offenders who reside within the city limits. The unit is staffed by a sergeant and four detectives.

In 2008: • 1,661 criminal offenses were referred to the investigative unit • 30.11% were cleared by an arrest • 195 cases were ﬁled with the D.A.’s ofﬁce • There were 10 sex offenders registered.

16 Property/Evidence Unit: This unit is responsible for the processing and safekeeping of all items of evidence and found property submitted to the police department. Additionally, the unit is responsible for the creation and submission of all court ordered evidence destruction of documents and maintenance of property/evidence records. The unit is staffed by one non-sworn property/evidence technician and supervised by the CID Sergeant.

In 2008: • 7,827 pieces of evidence and property were received and processed by this unit, an increase of 7.2% over last year.

Crime Scene Unit: This unit is responsible for the processing of all major crime scenes, fingerprint development and comparisons and submitting pieces of evidence to other law enforcement agencies for analysis. Additionally, the unit is responsible for the maintenance of the patrol fleet and taking walk-in reports for service as the need arises. The unit is staffed by one non-sworn Public Safety Officer and supervised by the CID Sergeant.

In 2008: • 19 Crime scenes were processed for evidence • 277 pieces of forensic evidence were submitted to other agencies for processing and comparison.

17 Community Services Unit: This unit serves to provide crime prevention education presentations, supervise Neighborhood Watch programs, provide home security inspections, and conduct other crime prevention activities. Additionally unit personnel act as School Resource Offices (SRO) at all secondary public schools within the city limits of Rockwall. Rockwall County Crime Stoppers, Inc. is managed by this unit. The unit is staffed by one Sergeant, one Crime Prevention Officer and four School Resource Officers.

In 2008, the following programs were presented with the listed results: Crime Prevention Presentations 110 Crime Stoppers Arrests 66 Offenses Cleared 81 Number of Rewards Paid 82 Amount of Total Rewards $12,485.00

The Community Services Unit also coordinates the National Night Out (NNO) program which was created by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and introduced in 1984 as America’s Night Out Against Crime. It is a chance for neighbors to turn off the television sets and gather as a community to show criminals the strength of numbers and that we stand together as neighbors against crime. NNO is held each year on the ﬁrst Tuesday of August. Rockwall became involved in 1997 and has been recognized with national awards 10 out of the 12 years we have been participating. We began in 1997 with only 7 neighborhoods and have grown to over 20 neighborhoods participating in this annual event.

In 2008, Texas Police Chief’s Association decided that that Texas is so hot in August that it was decided to move our NNO now called Texas Night Out (TNO) to October and was held on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 with over 17 neighborhoods participating in the event. In 2009, Texas Night Out will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

18 Special Crimes Unit (SCU) – This unit is responsible for the investigation of narcotics related offenses, and other major crimes in the County of Rockwall. Additionally, unit personnel assist other law enforcement agencies in narcotics related investigations where a nexus to Rockwall County exists. The unit is staffed by one Sergeant and two sworn ofﬁcers, one of which is a Rockwall County Sheriff’s Deputy and paid by Rockwall County.

the following table lists the major seizures that were made by the scu in 2008:

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Photograph of 277 pounds of cocaine seized through a joint operation of the Rockwall Police Department and Drug Enforcement Agency in February 2008

19 Warrant Unit – This unit is responsible for the serving of outstanding warrants of arrest, setting up and processing payment plans for violators, the service of subpoenas and parental summons, and for serving as bailiff during court times. In 2008, Warrant Ofﬁcers served as bailiffs approximately 21% of their available duty time. The unit is staffed by two sworn police ofﬁcers, one clerk who also works with other Municipal Court staff and is supervised by the CID Sergeant.

In 2008: • $159,964.40 in outstanding warrants were cleared. • 627 arrests were made for non-payment of warrants.

20 Rockwall Police Department Helpful Numbers

Administration...... 972-771-7714 Administration Fax...... 972-772-6394 Chief’s Office...... 972-772-6454 Records Department...... 972-771-7725 Records Fax...... 972-771-7725 Dispatch Non-Emergency...... 972-771-7721 Dispatch Fax...... 972-771-7749 Criminal Investigations (CID)...... 972-771-7715 Detectives...... 972-771-7716 Community Services...... 972-771-7765 Community Services Fax...... 972-771-7769 Municipal Court...... 972-771-7788 Municipal Court – Warrants...... 972-772-6425 Rockwall County Sherriff’s Office...... 972-204-7001 Rockwall County Jail...... 972-204-7001 DPS Office – Driver’s License...... 972-204-7300