Berrien County Sheriff`s Department

Transcription

Berrien County
Sheriff’s Office
2011 Annual Report
Table of Contents
Mission Statement ............................................................................
Board of Commissioners .................................................................
Introduction ......................................................................................
Retirees ..............................................................................................
Deputy of the Year ............................................................................
Budget ................................................................................................
Inmate Accounting ..........................................................................
Records ..............................................................................................
Jail Division .....................................................................................
Revenue from Department of Corrections/State of Michigan...
1
2
3
4
4
5
7
8
9
10
Inmate Worker Program ................................................................. 11
Classification ................................................................................. 12
Population Monitor ......................................................................... 13
Forgotten Man Ministries ............................................................... 13
Support Services Unit ...................................................................... 14
Food Service .................................................................................. 17
Medical Services ............................................................................ 18
Psychologist ................................................................................... 19
Enforcement Division .............................................................. 20
Road Patrol.................................................................................... 20
Niles Township Road Patrol ......................................................... 21
Watervliet Township Road Patrol ................................................. 21
New Buffalo Township Road Patrol ............................................. 22
Detective Bureau ........................................................................... 22
Reserve Division ............................................................................. 24
Narcotics Unit .................................................................................. 25
K-9 Division .................................................................................... 27
Bomb Squad ................................................................................ 28
Crime Scene Investigation Unit ..................................................... 29
Accident Reconstruction Team ................................................... 30
Arson Investigation Team .............................................................. 34
Dive Team ....................................................................................... 32
Hazardous Materials Regional Response Team ........................... 33
Marine Division .............................................................................. 34
Water Rescue Unit.......................................................................... 36
Snowmobile Patrol .......................................................................... 37
Motorcycle Unit .............................................................................. 37
Training Division .............................................................................. 38
FBI National Academy ................................................................. 39
Tactical Response Unit ................................................................... 40
Crime Prevention ............................................................................ 43
Explorer Post 602.............................................................................. 46
Victim Services Unit ........................................................................ 47
Volunteer Chaplains ....................................................................... 48
Honor Guard ................................................................................... 48
Mounted Division .......................................................................... 49
Emergency Management .......................................................... 50
Conclusion ....................................................................................... 58
The MISSION of the
Berrien County
Sheriff’s Office
is to enforce the laws of the
State of Michigan and
Berrien County,
to safeguard life and
property, to
prevent and detect crime,
to preserve the peace, and to
protect the rights of all
citizens. We will serve all
citizens with fairness,
integrity, respect and
compassion without
discrimination of any
persons or groups.
1
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office proudly submits the
2011 Annual Report
to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners.
Their support for our mission and the staff of the Sheriff’s Department
is greatly appreciated as we serve the residents of Berrien County.
Commissioner Robert A. Wooley, District 1
Commissioner Jon Hinkelman, District 2
Commissioner Marletta Seats, District 3
Commissioner Mamie L. Yarbrough, District 4
Commissioner Catherine Theineman, District 5
Commissioner Jeanette Leahey, District 6
Commissioner Debra Panozzo, District 7
Commissioner Bryan Bixby, District 8
Commissioner Dave Pagel, District 9
Commissioner Andrew Vavra, District 10
Commissioner Mac Elliott, District 11
Commissioner John LaMore, District 12
Commissioner Zach Perkins, District 13
2
Introduction
Annually, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office submits an annual
report to describe our accomplishments and highlights of law
enforcement in Berrien County; and to share the efforts of the
sworn and non-sworn personnel as they continue to provide
the most professional services and quality law enforcement
available to our citizens.
Over the years, the Sheriff’s Office has gained the trust and
respect of our citizens, and we are extremely fortunate to
continue receiving the cooperation and support we have come
Sheriff L. Paul Bailey
to expect and enjoy. Likewise, our citizens expect and deserve
a professional law enforcement agency. Our mission and core
values strive to provide the most professional and comprehensive law enforcement services
to Berrien County and doing so with the most frugal and cost efficient services practical.
Each deputy serves the public by emphasizing problem solving initiatives to solve issues,
all while involving our citizens of all ages as a vital resource to achieve this goal. Our deputies
are highly visible 24 hours a day during their shifts and make it a priority to talk with residents
and businesses in order to be part of the community. Over the past decade, we have
practiced community policing and problem-solving skills to maintain a low crime rate.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office will commit its resources in partnership with the community
to maintain order and provide for a safe and secure environment, free from crime and the
fear of crime. We are committed to the highest performance standard, ethical conduct,
and truthfulness in all relationships. We hold ourselves accountable for our actions and take
pride in a professional level of service and fairness to all. We treat all persons in a dignified
and courteous manner, and exhibit understanding of ethnic and cultural diversity, both in
professional and personal endeavors. We believe mutual respect, trust and pride in our
organization, combined with traditional values and innovative techniques, will ensure the
community’s continued support.
Deb Strain
Administrative Assistant
Undersheriff
Charles E. Heit
3
Chief Deputy
Michael Bradley
Retirees
Lieutenant Kevin Allred
25 years
Lieutenant James Hagenbarth
25 years
Detective Sergeant
Michael Danneffel
25 years
Sergeant Chris Corteville
25 years
Sergeant Donald Upson
26 years
Deputy of the Year
Sergeant Julie Flick has been with the Berrien County
Sheriff’s Office for 17 years. She began her career on
June 8, 1995 in the jail division. On November 26, 1996 she
started with the road patrol division and was promoted
to Sergeant April 1, 2002. Her dedication is beyond the
average person. She comes into the office on her days
off to make sure the schedule is in order, and if there are
any problems she is there to help. Sergeant Flick will assist
other Deputies with reports if needed to make sure they
are completed in a timely manner. Sergeant Flick is not
only a dedicated supervisor but a great mentor. When
ever you speak to other police officers and someone asks,
“who is your supervisor?” they always say how lucky we are
to have her. Congratulations Sergeant Flick on becoming
Deputy of the Year.
4
Sergeant Julie Flick
Budget
In 2011 total budget expenditures for the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office were $17,440,239. General fund
budget expenditures totaled $13,584,174 broken down by division as follows:
2009
2010
2011
Sheriff’s Office and Patrol
$4,431,140
$4,547,523
$4,397,996
Jail Inmate Rehabilitation
$87,291
$10,002
$15,003
Sheriff’s Radios
$89,660
$85,113
$79,720
$265,606
$265,628
$263,588
$7,972,933
$8,496,703
$284,268
$307,628
$5,849
$7,613
Sheriff’s Marine Safety
Jail Division
Emergency Management
Training Facility
$8,475,194
$348,589
$4,084
The Sheriff’s Office had 22 special fund budgets in 2011, which had expenditures totaling $3,856,065
as follows:
Act 302 Training Fund - $14,556 expended
Two distributions are received each year based on the number of MCOLES certified road officers
employed by the Sheriff’s Office. These funds are used to provide training and purchase training
equipment for certified road deputies.
Drug Law Enforcement Fund – State Forfeitures - $150,446 expended
- Narcotic Building - $16,747 expended
These funds are derived from forfeiture of money or items confiscated from individuals convicted of
illegal drug offenses and are used to support the Sheriff Office’s continued fight against the sale and
distribution of illegal drugs.
Narcotic Special Fund - $1,131,985 expended
These are millage funds that are used to fund and support the Narcotics Unit.
House Arrest Program - $204,355 expended
Two deputies are supported by this program. They supervise inmates assigned to work crews to assist the
Berrien County Road Commission and Drain Commission. Part-time employees funded by this budget
also provide inmate work crews for the County Parks Department, Bridgman City, litter cleanup from the
landfill and other miscellaneous projects. The municipalities are charged for the crews to cover the costs.
Secondary Road Patrol Grant - $203,932 expended for grant year 10/1/10-9/30/11
Three deputies were funded for this grant year to patrol county secondary roads. For the grant year
10/1/09 to 9/30/10, the state reimbursed $203,932.
Local Correctional Officers Training Fund - $57,170 expended
In March 2004 the Sheriff’s Office began collecting a booking fee of $12 for inmates booked into the
jail, pursuant to Public Act 124. For each fee collected, $2 is remitted to the state and $10 is deposited
into the Local Correctional Officers Training Fund. The funds retained by the county are used for costs
relating to continuing education, certification and recertification for jail personnel. Total amount of
money collected for this fund in 2011 was $45,621.
Drug Education Coordinator - $8,006 expended
These funds, which are millage funds, are used to support the Sheriff’s Office Drug Education and Crime
Prevention programs.
5
Budget cont.
Snowmobile Enforcement Grant 20010/2011 - $9,402 expended (DNR $7992/County $1410)
This is a grant through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to fund snowmobile patrols. The
grant is funded 85% by the D.N.R. with a county match of 15%.
Berrien Community Foundation Donation Fund – $60,386 expended
In 2004 the Sheriff’s Office entered into an agreement with the Berrien Community Foundation to act
as a depository for donations for those who wish to support the Sheriff’s Department. Expenditures from
that fund in 2011 totaled $60,386, which went to support the following divisions:
Motorcycle Unit, $28,821
Water Rescue Team, $9,565
Victim Services Unit, $1,000
Reserves/Mounted $21,000
Local Police Protection contracts:
The Sheriff’s Office contracts with several local municipalities to provide
police protection for specific purposes. In 2011 there were eight contracts;
six of the contracts were fully funded by a municipality. In addition to the
contract costs for these fully-funded agreements for police protection, an
additional amount is charged to the municipality for administrative costs.
A special fund budget is set up for each contract so that expenses and
revenues can be tracked individually for each municipality.
Paul Granigan - Business Manager
Watervliet Township – Two full-time deputies - $205,555 expended
Niles Township – Seven full-time deputies and one full-time records clerk - $789,179 expended
New Buffalo Township – Five full-time deputies - $524,342 expended
Buchanan Township – Deputies for security at the annual Red Bud Track and Trail event – $14,950
expended
Hagar Township – Deputies to patrol Hagar Township parks during the summer months $6,717 expended
Benton Harbor City - In addition to the five fully-funded local police protection contracts, the local
police protection contract for Benton Harbor City in the past has been funded with a donation from
Whirlpool Corporation of $50,000 and a match from the County of $50,000. In 2011 the initial $100,000
was expended for patrols and an additional $65,000 was donated by Whirlpool Corporation, which
required no county match. The $65,000 plus a fund balance of $6,334 was used to extend patrols
in Benton Harbor City and purchase ballistic vests for the reserve and mounted unit. The total 2011
expense was $171,170
Department of Human Services – One full-time deputy for security - $71,170 expended.
Parks – Starting in 2011 the Parks Department requested a part time deputy be assigned to Silver Beach
during peak hours of attendance. Expenditures of 2011 were $6,496.
FBI- Violent Crimes Task Force – One sergeant is assigned to the Violent Crimes Task Force to assist when
needed, in addition to his normal work hours. The overtime expenses are reimbursed up to a certain
monthly amount, which is set annually by the F.B.I. $5,778 was expended from this special fund budget
in 2011.
6
Budget cont.
Michigan Prisoner Re-entry Initiative - In 2011 the Sheriff’s Office also entered into a contractual
agreement with Berrien County Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative (MPRI) and Michigan Works to do
community policing to check on high risk offenders. A sheriff’s deputy partnered with a parole agent
and accompanied them to perform routine checks of offenders and their residences. This was fully
funded by MPRI and $5,961 was expended in 2011
Special Teams – There are millage funds which support seven special teams: HazMat, Evidence Tech,
Tactical Response Unit, Bomb, Dive, Crisis Negotiators, and Accident Reconstruction. Expenditures for
2011 were $194,767.
Victim Services Unit – This volunteer unit was formed in 2009 and is tax exempt, 501(C)3 organization. It
is a trained unit under the direction of the Sheriff’s Office and Michigan Sheriff’s Association. The unit is
fully funded by various grants and donations and it’s expenditures for 2011 were $4,693.38.
General fund revenues collected in 2011 totaled $936,704. Revenue sources in 2011 for the Berrien
County Sheriff’s Office included payments from TV rental to inmates, inmate commissary sales,
reimbursement for housing state prisoners, inmate room and board charges, inmate pay phone usage
reimbursement, sheriff’s auction, and charges for various fees such as DNA tests, abandoned vehicle
inspections, fingerprinting, sex offender registrations, and photocopying of documents.
*****Note all figures are prior to final close.
Inmate Accounting
The Inmate Accounting Department employs two full-time bookkeepers, who, under the supervision of
the Business Manager, maintain incarcerated inmate accounts. This includes money the inmate has
upon booking as well as money that is left by friends or family members. It is
balanced and deposited daily.
A petty cash register in the booking area of the jail is also reconciled daily by
the bookkeepers. All inmates are charged a booking fee, as well as a fee
for medical visits, which include a doctor, dentist, or nurse visit. Incarcerated
inmates are also charged a lodging fee, which, if not collected, is turned over
to a collection agency.
Kristine Shuler
Inmates can order items from the commissary system, including hygiene items,
snack foods, postage supplies, footwear, and undergarments. Inmates spent
$133,924.90 on commissary items in 2011. For a fee, inmates can rent the
television weekly in their dorm. They spent $10,765.68 on TV rental in 2011.
Inmate Accounting bookkeepers assist other county departments and law
enforcement agencies with the jail inmate pay phone system, by providing
phone records and recordings to be used in investigations and/or court
proceedings.
Loree Laflex
Inmate Accounting works closely with various departments throughout the
county by processing deputy overtime payroll, out-of-county bonds, Community
Tether overpayments, and inmate medical payments. All incoming monies
received by the Sheriff’s Department are receipted and transmitted weekly to
the County Treasurer’s office. Monthly and yearly reports are also generated
from these transmittals.
7
Records Bureau
The Records Bureau provides many services to both the public and other law enforcement agencies.
Located in the front lobby of the Sheriff’s Office, the Records Bureau fields numerous requests
for general information and is the main reception area for anyone visiting the office. The office is
responsible for preparing all of the police reports and traffic citations for the Sheriff’s Office, the
Baroda – Lake Township PD, the Pokagon Tribal Police Department (when they act in the capacity
of a Sheriff’s Deputy when off Tribal Grounds), as well as the Watervliet City PD. The Records Bureau
has custody of all jail records – inmate criminal files, mugshots, and fingerprints. Duties of the records
personnel also consist of cataloging all crime scene evidence photos. Staffing consists of five (5)
full-time employees and two (2) part-time employees.
Services provided to the public include permits to purchase handguns, recording handgun sales,
fingerprinting for concealed weapons permit applications and various types of employment, (such as
postal workers and teachers), criminal background searches, and the release of copies of reports.
In 2011, the Records Bureau issued 2,353 individual permits to purchase handguns (an increase of 8.5%)
and 165 firearms dealer permits to purchase (a decrease of 18.5%, as the State of Michigan no longer
requires firearms dealers to obtain permits from their local police or sheriff department). A total of
2,069 individual handgun purchases were recorded (an increase of 7.75%). Fingerprinting services
and criminal background searches were completed for 912 citizens applying for concealed pistol
licenses and of those, 898 concealed pistol licenses were issued. This area actually saw a decrease of
approximately 14.25% from 2010.
Another of the duties of the Records Bureau personnel is the registration / address verification of sex
offenders living within Berrien County. Offenders are required to report quarterly and show proof of
residency. This information feeds the Michigan State Police on-line sex offender registry, (SOR), which
is accessible to the public. The SOR is also used by law enforcement to track and prosecute those
offenders that fail to report their current address. In 2011, 843 sexual offenders reported addresses
in Berrien County. This was a slight increase of 9 additional offenders from 2010. Increased numbers
are due in part to the number of offenders released from prison on parole. Approximately 25% of the
registered sex offenders in Berrien County report to the Records Bureau in the St. Joseph and Niles
locations; either quarterly, bi-annually, or annually.
The video mugshot system yields a very important investigative tool, not only for the Sheriff’s Office,
but for other law enforcement agencies, as well. This system has the capability to produce photo
line-ups, which include a suspect’s photograph, along with five (5) other similar photographs. Officers
are then able to show this to crime victims / witnesses, who then attempt to identify the suspect.
Photos in this system are e-mailed to law enforcement agencies throughout the country, to aid in their
investigations. Numerous crimes have been solved through the use of these photographs.
The Sheriff’s Records Bureau has seen the
implementation of new technology, which has
yielded the capability to capture many types
of information on various types of crimes. This
has helped to keep our department on the
cutting edge of law enforcement reporting and
procedures. The Records Bureau personnel
have received highly specialized training and
are very dedicated to providing the highest
level of service to the citizens of Berrien County.
L to R: Gail Hejduk, Maggie Nitz, Marcie Aurand, Kim Dilley
8
Jail Division
Booked
Male
Female
Misdemeanors
Felony
Civil
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
9,148
8,762
8,618
8,388
8,087
7,641
7,142
6,793
6,575
6,382
6,143
5,789
2,006
1,969
2,040
2005
1,944
1,852
5,344
5,277
5,427
5,296
4,768
4,538
3,425
3,127
2,789
2,678
2,970
2,824
379
358
402
414
349
279
Cpt. Cochran and Lt. Allred
The Jail Division is responsible for processing and supervision of all arrested and incarcerated persons
by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement organizations operating in Berrien
County. Inmates are processed by deputies in receiving, where they are fingerprinted, photographed
and later classified for placement in the jail.
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Average Daily Population
388
360
369
333
337
Average Daily Parolees
14
5
9
14
14
Average Daily Females
47
45
45
52
49
Dep. Green
Visitation booths
Dep. VanKampen
Dep. Staneart
The jail serves as a detention facility for lawfully incarcerated, to assure the public safety by securely
maintaining the custody of these individuals in a secure and cost effective environment that is safe for
both the inmates and staff.
Acknowledging that incarceration is, in and of itself punishment, the administration and the staff are
committed to the preservation of the Constitutional human rights of all inmates and strive to create an
environment that allows inmates to use their time incarcerated in a productive manner and prepare
them for re-entry back into the public no worse physically, emotionally
or psychologically than when they entered the facility.
Jail Overcrowding
The jail reached day six of overcrowding seven times in 2011 but the
number of bookings continue to decrease. Sheriff Bailey attributes the
reduction to better management of the jail population and alternative
programs.
9
County Jail Reimbursement Program/
Revenue from Department of
Corrections/State of MI
Michigan Department of
Corrections Reimursement
2010
Revenue is received from the Michigan
Department of Corrections (MDOC), for
housing parolees who have violated their
parole terms. MDOC is charged $34.86 a day
for each parolee that is lodged. Parolees are
held until it is decided to release the hold,
transport back to prison or enter into other
facilities throughout the state of Michigan.
2011
January
6,693.12
12,340.44
February
12,445.02
15,756.72
March
14,954.94
11,120.34
April
12,898.20
16,314.48
May
18,231.78
19,417.02
June
13,246.80
20,114.22
July
19,138.14
18,824.40
August
14,920.08
18,162.06
September
17,883.18
18,894.12
October
21,892.08
12,235.86
November
19,800.48
10,527.72
December
15,268.68
12,689.04
Total
187,372.50
186,396.42
Hospital Duty
Total
3,547.24
190,919.74
6,167.00
192,563.42
County Jail
Reimbursement Program
2010
2011
January
5,680.00
4,865.00
February
11,640.00
8,185.00
March
10,475.00
12,065.00
April
11,295.00
14,960.00
May
11,005.00
19,505.00
June
5,515.00
13,585.00
July
6,745.00
12,365.00
August
4,800.00
12,450.00
September
4,810.00
10,750.00
October
5,185.00
10,735.00
November
2,915.00
10,805.00
December
3,065.00
9,195.00
Total
83,130.00
139,465.00
CJRP reimburses county jails to house certain
felons who otherwise would have been
sentenced to prison. Reimbursement is paid
for up to a maximum of one year but there
is no additional reimbursement for medical
expenses or for any other expenses incurred.
10
Inmate Worker Program
The Inmate Worker Program consists of approximately 35 inmates
that volunteer to be a part of a work detail inside the jail or outside on
work crews. Inmate Worker selection is based on the inmate’s past
criminal history, current criminal charge, and his or her demeanor while
incarcerated. The Program provides those inmates who are eligible
to learn and perform job related tasks in mopping and waxing floors,
laundry, re-painting walls, unloading trucks and preparing meals. The
goal for the Inmate Worker Program is not only to benefit the county but
also to help prisoners leave as better people than when they arrived.
This year a total of 378 incarcerated inmates
were given the opportunity to hold a position as
an inmate worker. By maintaining a
position each participant will earn one
day off their sentence for every six days
worked.
Lt. Duffield
The program consists of eight different
work details, which are listed as follows:
Dep. Stevens
Drain/Road Outside Crews
Kitchen
Sgt. Aungst
Laundry
Male/Female Receiving
First/Second Floor
Buffer
Car Wash
Night/Painter
Dep. Turner
Dep. Clark
Dep. Atterberry
11
Classification
The Berrien County Jail has a classification system in
place, as many jails do, which determines in which
areas of the jail an offender will be housed. Some
jails, however, are too small or overcrowded to
separate different types of offenders. Inmates do
not get to choose whether they will have a cellmate,
or choose who their cellmate will be. Inmates can be
moved at any time, at the discretion of the jail staff.
Sgt. Upson (retired August 2011)
Males
Females
Total
The tables below show the total number of
individuals classified and number of individuals by
race.
Sgt. Aungst
2009
2010
2011
2008
2009
2010
2011
African American
2,317
2,290
2,176
3,842
3,764
3,658
3,461
Caucasian
2,190
2,133
1,994
887
916
910
Hispanic
55
39
47
4,729
4,680
4,568
Other
118
106
105
861
4,322
NOTE: During classification 247 individuals are admitted to having an alcohol problem, 268 admitted to
drug problem and 462 admitted to having a mental disorder.
Many times friends and families of inmates are frustrated
because they recognize the need for their loved one’s need
for help with a drug or alcohol problem. In most cases, the
availability of these programs depends upon the size of the jail
facility. The Berrien County Jail offers programs in, substance
abuse, church and Bible studies and crisis counseling. The
Berrien County Jail provides inmates the opportunity to earn
their General Education Diploma (GED), while incarcerated
and attend a literacy program if eligible. These programs
are offered within the scope of this facility to address the
social, educational, and behavioral needs of the inmate.
Laura and Joe - G.E.D Program
GED & LITERACY PROGRAM:
The classification officer is responsible for coordinating the G.E.D. and literacy programs. Sentenced
inmates are offered the G.E.D. program to further their education and upon successful completion of
the program, offer not only an official G.E.D. certificate, but a 30-day sentence reduction as well.
This year 33 individuals successfully completed the program compared to 25 in the year 2010, consisting
of 26 males and 7 females. There were 87 students registered for the program; 62 males and 25
females. An alternate off-jail program is offered for students when they separate from jail, if they did
not successfully complete their program.
The Literacy Program is available to interested individuals who request the opportunity to receive help
with their reading and writing skills to prepare for the G.E.D. program. This program meets twice a week;
Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year.
12
Population Monitor
The Jail Population Monitor’s main objective is to advise the Judges of the
number of inmates in the jail each day; this is done by putting out a daily
jail count. On the first day through the fifth day when the jail population
exceeds 341, the Jail Population Monitor will contact the Judges with
requests on appropriate inmates for suspension of sentence, reduction
of bond or an alternative sentence such as tether or a rehabilitation
program. If the jail is still overcrowded on the day 6, the Jail Population
Monitor works with the Chief Judge on early releases to maintain jail
population at 341 or under.
The Jail Population Monitor must also keep open communication with
the Probation Department, Prosecutors Office, outside rehabilitation
facilities, Parole Agents, District Court, Circuit Court and officials from
other agencies.
The Jail Population Monitor also assists in the releases of inmates with
serious medical issues or inmates with warrants from other counties or possibly fugitive holds from other
states. In 2011 the Jail Population Monitor assisted in the early release of over 500 inmates.
Joann Roberts
Forgotten Man Ministries
Chaplain Russ Simonson serves with Forgotten Man Ministries (FMM), which is a non-profit organization
and does not receive any local, state or federal funding. The FMM is dependent upon the support
of local churches and caring individuals who volunteer their time. Volunteers are screened by the
chaplain and then approved by the Berrien County Sheriffs Office Volunteers assist the chaplain in
providing the inmates, both men and women, opportunities to attend bible-based 12-step drug and
alcohol abuse classes, anger management classes, bible studies, weekly chapel services and one
night a week a “cat-walk” ministry is offered where volunteers minister one-on-one services at the cells.
FMM also provides daily one-on-one counseling, books magazines and movies.
In addition to the ongoing services and classes, the FMM provide “Christmas at the Jail”. As part of
“Christmas at the Jail” each inmate is provided with two Christmas cards and stamped envelopes. On
Christmas day, each inmate receives a gift bag filled with candy, fruit, cookies and a Bible tract, along
with a cup of soft drink. “Christmas at the Jail” is made possible through the donations and financial gifts
provided by local churches and individuals to FMM. It is an outreach to the inmates letting them know
they are not forgotten and that there are people who pray and care about them. During Christmas at
the Jail 2011, FMM provided gift bags to approximately 390 inmates.
Yearly, FMM hosts two Stewardship Dinners in the spring, an annual Golf
Outing, and one or two benefit concerts.
Bibles Provided
Bible Courses
Advanced Bible Courses
Graded Bible Lessons
Drug/Alcohol/Anger Management Classes
Bible Classes & Church Services
Witnessed Professions of Faith
2008
2009
2010
2011
659
1,324
533
5,200
255
206
324
700
1,185
500
4,950
255
206
285
700
1,100
500
4,500
255
200
300
320
1,100
475
3,950
155
150
183
Chaplain Russ
13
Support Services
Lt. Kline
Operations Lt. Mike Kline and Quartermaster Sgt.
Tina Morrow are responsible for overseeing the dayto-day operations of the Support Services Division of
the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office. Six departments
make up the unit: Video Arraignment, T�ransport,
Court Security, Inmate Work Crews, the Department
of Human Services and the Quartermaster’s Office.
The Support Services Division is manned by 13 fulltime and 10 part-time deputies. Also, Lt. Kline and Sgt.
Morrow are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day
operations of the Tether Division and Jail Population
Monitor.
Sgt. Morrow
QUARTERMASTER
Sgt. Tina Morrow manages, supervises and schedules assignments,
vacations, replacement of personnel assigned to the Community Tether Unit
and Support Services Unit. Sgt. Morrow personally replaces and performs
the duties of deputies assigned to the Support Services Unit. Other duties
include overseeing medical transports of inmates needing outside medical
treatment and ordering, inventorying, and issuing of uniforms, equipment
and supplies as needed for the entire Sheriff’s Office.
TETHER DIVISION
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Tether program continues to be a successful alternative to jail incarceration.
Courts recognize the program’s contribution to reducing jail overcrowding.
The following 2011 statistics reveal the ongoing contribution of the program to jail population
management. Total participants on the program
The average stay on tether
Participants placed on alcohol monitoring
program
Participants placed on non-alcohol
electronic monitoring program
545
36 days
253
292
The success rate of the program continues to be
outstanding with 97% of those who started the
program successfully complete.
2011 saw the expansion of the Access Program which
is the latest technology offered by the program’s
monitoring service. This program monitors alcohol
consumption through skin perspiration as well as curfew violations through radio frequency transmission.
The program also houses GPS capability which is utilized by the department.
L to R-Back Row: Joann Roberts, Dep. Kiser, Dep. Pedzinski, Dep. Sherrick,
Front: K. Bowie
14
Support Services cont.
INMATE WORK CREWS
The Berrien County Road Commission and the Berrien County Drain
Commissions utilized inmate work crews throughout the year. The Berrien
County Sheriffs Office is compensated per day for services rendered. Each
work crew consists of 5 to 7 inmate workers and one full-time deputy.
During the summer months a female work crew and a part-time deputy are
assigned to Silver Beach and/or the City of Bridgman.
The Road Commission work crew typically cuts and removes brush and
trees along county roads right-of-ways. The Drain Commission work crew
does similar work along county drains as well as routine maintenance. The
female work crew pick up trash, rake the beaches and set up snow fencing.Dep. Coleman
There are also several requests for short-term work crews to work at the Berrien
County Youth Fair, county wide tire collections, and other activities within Berrien County.
Inmates who are assigned to an outside work crew position must be
incarcerated for a low risk crime. The inmate worker program gives
inmates the opportunity to be productive, follow orders and possibly
be better prepared for a job once they leave the facility. It also helps
control the inmate population by earning time off from their sentences,
allowing inmates to be released early.
TRANSPORTS
X-Rays
Forensic Exams
Medical Runs
Writ Pick Ups In State
Writ Pick Ups Out of State
In State Warrant Pick Ups
Out of State Warrant Pick Ups
Probate Hearing Pick Ups
Parolees To Other Counties
**Miscellaneous
TOTAL
2009
37
6
104
30
2
83
66
18
2010
2
13
169
38
3
105
60
2
43
389
N/A
392
2011
0
5
155
41
2
106
89
0
78
53
529
reaching overcrowding. This year a total of
78 parolees were transported to VanBuren
County, Cass County, Allegan County,
Eaton County and Ingham County.
The Transport Division, on occasion, also
helps in several areas when needed
including assisting with St. Joseph Court
video arraignments, transporting inmates
to Niles Court for arraignment, and Court
Officers for St. Joseph and Niles Court.
**MISCELLANEOUS: This includes emergency room,
Department of Human Services, St. Joseph and Niles
Court, motor pool and courtesy drop offs.
TRANSPORT
The Transport Division consists of two deputies who are
responsible for the safe and secure transport of inmates
to and from county jails, prisons in and out of state, and
outside doctor visits.
The Transport Division is also responsible for the
transportation of Department of Corrections parolees
to other jails throughout the state when the jail is
2011
Prison
Writ
Return
4 males
4 males
2 males
1 male
3 males
2 male
Boot
Camp
0
0
2
1
0
0
3 males
2 females
0
20
*1
26
1
29
7
0
2 males
1 female
1 male
0
45
1
6 males
0
29
3
2 (males)
0
26
343
Prison
(males)
(females)
January
February
March
April
May
June
17
20
31
14
32
16
2
5
7
2
1
2
July
14
1
August
21
4
September
23
2
October
37
November
22
December
21
TOTAL
15
Total
23
29
42
18
36
20
Support Services cont.
COURT SECURITY
St. Joseph - The Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph has two large holding cells and two smaller
holding cells for district court; it also has two cells for circuit court. Inmates are brought over from the
jail and placed in prospective cell areas. Court Deputies will then move inmates into the courtrooms
where they are needed, and remain with the inmate until their court appearance is finished. After all
the inmates have completed their appearance they are then placed back in the holding cell and the
next inmate is taken into court. This process is repeated until all of the inmates have been seen by the
Judge. The inmates are then returned to the jail.
Court Deputies and Bailiffs work closely together to make sure inmates are taken into the proper
courtrooms at the proper times. In 2011 there were 3,767 inmates brought to the courthouse from the
jail. 1,261 individuals were taken into custody for misdemeanor and felony warrants, felony probation
violations and sentencing to serve in jail.
Court Deputies are also responsible for regular rounds on each floor of the courthouse for security, help
the general public find correct court rooms and provide courtroom security for trials, high profile cases
and general day to day operations.
NILES COURT STATISTICS
2010
2011
Inmates Transported to Niles
762
769
Inmates Transported to Jail
989
1,347
Inmates from L.E.C.
478
477
Defendants Fingerprinted
109
259
Arrests Made at Niles
302
381
Niles - The Niles Transport/Court Deputies positions
are staffed by two full time deputies. The deputy’s
duties include transporting inmates from the
Berrien County jail facility to the Niles Courthouse,
maintaining paper work, and overseeing the overall
operations of the
Niles courthouse.
Additionally,the
deputies are responsible for the day to day
safety of the Niles Courthouse, medical
emergencies, checking of alarms, assisting with
other agencies/departments when requested
and overall security of the courthouse.
Dep. Jones
The deputies also are required to complete
training in CPR, First Aid, PPCT, Firearms, Cultural
Diversity, Active Shooter training and in-house
monthly videos. Deputy’s also schedule regular
maintenance of the vans and inventoried
supplies for the receiving area.
Dep. Ziebarth
DHS
Deputy David Camp was assigned to the Berrien County Department of
Human Services. During 2011 he completed 30 incident reports for various
incidents including felony warrant arrests, medical problems, threat complaints
and internal investigations. Deputy Camp also assisted Child Protective
Services (CPS) with investigations by running L.E.I.N. (Law Enforcement
Information Network) on subjects involved in CPS cases. Deputy Camp is responsible for the training of all employees employed by the
Department of Human Services. The staff is trained on the building emergency
plan (fire drills, medical drills, weather drills) and the use of 800 MHZ police
radios.
16
Dep. Camp
Food Service
Meals in the jail are planned by the Food Service Coordinator and prepared
by a staff of three full time cooks and 12 inmate workers, who are screened for
security purposes and for good health by the jail medical staff. These inmate
workers are assigned specific duties, given a job description, and trained in
the basics of food safety and sanitation. These job skills and experiences can
be used by inmates once they are released from custody to help them find
employment.
The Food Service Coordinator and full time cooks are all certified in ServSafe
and CPR. ServSafe is a nationally recognized certification program for food
service workers and is now required by the State of Michigan.
Sarah Hogue
Food Coordinator
The Jail Food Service maintained their long standing record with an excellent, no violation inspection
by the Berrien County Health Department in July.
There were a total of 430,744 meals served from the jail kitchen in
2011, at a cost per meal of $.8866. This cost is slightly higher than
2010 ($.8751 per meal). Increase in cost is attributed to higher fuel
prices which in turn raised the cost of food. We remain diligent in
seeking money-saving ideas and good deals on staple food items,
and stretching taxpayer dollars as far as possible.
Maude Osby
Gloria Fryback
Barbara Johnson
17
Medical Services
CHANGES IN 2011
Nurse Amy Drzwiecki resigned this year but was replaced by two new nurses, Sara Schmidt, RN and
Jeanine Giancana, RN. Physician services were provided by Dr. Robert Stephen who is also the Medical
Director.
Medical equipment upgrades included a new female exam table, ECG machine, stainless steel carts,
two new medication carts, autoclave, eyewash sink, oxygen concentrator, oto/opthalmoscope, and
two new heavy duty scales. .
A new tracking process was implemented to allow more
efficient tracking of inmate’s medical Health Assessments. The
implementation of this system has been instrumental in obtaining
100% compliance with the Department of Corrections regulations
for inmate health screening.
As shown in the table below, the number of inmates treated has
steadily increased since 2007, the number of prescriptions prescribed
and dispensed increased (This number does not reflect over the
counter medications that are also ordered by the physician).
Inmates Treated
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
4,227
4,627
4,864
5,301
5,356
Prescriptions Prescribed
And Dispensed
2007
4,227
6,545
2008
4,627
8,480
2009
4,864
8,371
2010
5,301
8,183
Robin Rudlaff, LPN and Dep. Clark
2011
6,895
8,577
HIGHLIGHTS
*586 DNA’s completed
*31 cases of MRSA
*964 lab draws completed
*2,359 blood sugars completed
There was a slight decrease in the number of inmates being sent to the hospital, as well as a decrease
in the number of community based physician specialists referrals,180 to 135.
L to R: Jeanine Giancana RN, Kevin Holt RN, Dr Stephen,
Cindi Konow (medical assistant)
Cindy Babyar, LPN
18
Medical Services cont.
Breakdown of
Medical Expenses
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Radiology
$20,137.10
$24,298.39
$24,450.79
$31,399.00
$29,254.14
Outside Specialists
$59,619.93
$71,322.57
$89,682.19
$118,660.82
$181,611.86
Hospitals
$183,020.81
$240,456.94
$200,844.05
$294,580.41
$342,916.72
Ambulance
$26,084.15
$34,385.81
$34,925.50
$25,300.50
$39,055.33
Laboratory
$22,084.55
$28,209.94
$37,433.01
$35,168.62
$30,412.49
Pharmacy
$219,979.52
$163,693.77
$149,040.09
$137,783.04
$205,592.75
Disposal of Medical Waste
$1,795.51
$1538.97
$952.00
$1185.70
$1,120.90
Medical Supplies
$9,338.98
$11,084.20
$15,682.99
$27,285.11
$33,539.19
Dentist & Supplies
$7,773.25
$8,233.65
$9,092.10
$10,509.50
$10,211.96
$549,833.80
$583,224.24
$562,102.72
$681,872.70
$873,715.34
Total Cost
A total of $280,513.72 for medical bills was saved by the medical department due to inmates not in
custody, bills returned to Medicaid/Medicare or various other insurances, and/or belonging to other
agencies.
Mark Haueisen, RN
Jan Trapani, LPN
Dep. Crawford and Nurse Peggy
Jail Psychologist
Katie Hoese started working for the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office in February 2011 as the mental health
liaison, providing mental health services to over 1,666 inmates, which was an increase from 1,526
inmates in 2010. Several of these inmates were referred to specialty court programs, such as Mental
Health Court and Drug Treatment Court. Others were diverted to Lakeland Behavioral Medical Center
and Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospitalization for mental health stabilization.
In addition, Katie assists in the referrals and progress of inmates in Berrien
County’s Mental Health Court (MHC). The MHC was organized in 2008 and
provides a specialized probation and treatment coordination for individuals
with mental illness and/or developmental disabilities. MHC has increased from
20 participants from 2008-2011 to a capacity of 40 participants in fiscal year
2012. Through these special population programs we are able to work towards
jail diversion and reduction of recidivism.
Katie will continue to provide updated mental health training to the Berrien
County Sheriff’s Office staff on an annual basis in order for the staff to have
increased awareness and knowledge of special populations.
19
Enforcement
Road Patrol Division
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol Division responded to a total of 15,645 calls for service
throughout the county during 2011. The total number of calls includes the calls for service in the
contracted police areas of; New Buffalo Township, Niles Township and Watervliet Charter Township.
Property crimes including burglaries and larcenies remain in high number throughout Berrien County.
Surrounding counties including; Van Buren County, Cass County and St. Joseph County Indiana have
also experienced very high property crime rates during 2011.
Mileage
Traffic Stops
Tickets Issued
Total Arrests
Misdemeanor
Felony
2009
2010
2011
776,861
740,954
739,169
2009
2010
2011
16,486
9,466
8,444
6,339
5,012
3,981
3,504
3,202
3,248
2,774
2,513
2,530
730
689
718
Cpt. Toliver and Sheriff L. Paul Bailey
Economic factors and high unemployment in Berrien County have
undoubtedly lead to an increase in both property crimes and fraud related
crimes in the area. Deputies patrolled 739,169 miles on Berrien County roads
during 2011. Sheriff’s patrols are on duty 24 hours a day to assist our citizens
and keep our communities safe.
Lt. Miller
Investigated Complaints
by Offense
2009
2010
2011
Criminal Sexual conduct
67
56
43
Robbery
13
7
13
Assault / Domestic Violence
564
465
480
Breaking & Entering
277
247
257
Larceny
526
496
463
Motor Vehicle Theft
50
44
35
Malicious Destruction of Property
409
404
346
Operating While Intoxicated
238
157
154
*
296
VCSA / Drugs
*
*Began reporting stats for annual report 2011
Lt. Kurtz
20
Road Patrol cont.
NILES TOWNSHIP
The current police coverage at the Niles Township sub-station includes one sergeant, six deputies and
one secretary. The deputies are assigned to provide police functions to the residents of Niles Township
through a contract provided through the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office also supports five part-time deputies who are utilized to fill in shifts in contracted
townships including Niles Township. Part-time deputies are assigned shifts when the full-time deputies
are not available. This strategy has proven to save money for the township.
A manifold of additional resources are always available through the Sheriff’s Office including the
detective bureau, crime scene unit, hazmat team, bomb team, tactical response unit, canine team,
accident investigation team, dive team, hostage negotiations, and volunteer chaplains. Some deputies
assigned to Niles Township are also members of these special teams.
The Niles Township Deputies responded to 3,939 calls for service, issued 518 citations and made 409
arrests. This averages to 328 calls per month or 10 per day. Deputies must balance responding to new
calls, following up on investigations and preparing cases for court while maintaining a high standard of
excellence. The high call volume often makes this task challenging.
by Offenses
2009
2010
2011
Criminal Sexual Conduct
5
18
11
Robbery
6
5
6
Assault/Domestic Violence
123
119
145
Breaking and Entering
60
77
68
Larceny
217
89
142
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
8
10
91
91
105
50
24
48
Warrant Arrests
115
101
52
VCSA
48
53
62
*The above list is not an all inclusive list of total complaints
worked in Niles Township.
WATERVLIET TOWNSHIP
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office has provided
police protection for Watervliet Township since
April 1, 2001. The last decade of patrols in
the township has resulted in strong ties with
local government officials, business owners,
and citizens which have helped to make the
community a safer place to live.
by Offense
2009
2010
2011
7
1
6
Robbery
1
0
1
Assault / Domestic Violence
48
50
29
Breaking & Entering
31
16
29
Larceny
68
39
48
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
2
0
Deputies Mark Lundin and Guy Puffer were
once again assigned to the Watervliet Township
Patrol Division during 2011.
37
35
41
Carrying Concealed Weapon
4
1
0
15
15
4
Calls for service decreased slightly for 2011
while arrests for criminal offences increased.
Tickets Issued
298
250
214
VCSA / Drugs
21
22
Road Patrol cont.
NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office provides 24 hour
police protection for New Buffalo Township. New
Buffalo Township Patrol provides four full time deputies
and one full time sergeant who oversee the division. Sgt. Julie Flick is the current supervisor in New Buffalo
Township, a position she has held since the beginning
of the contract in 2007. Also assisting are five part-time
deputies who cover for vacation or training dates for
the full time deputies. The part-time deputies help to
relieve the overtime budget. The deputies work from
the Four Winds Law Enforcement Sub-Station and are
also sworn Pokagon Tribal Officers. They are able to
assist the Pokagon Tribal Officers at the Four Winds
Casino or handle calls at the Casino if necessary.
This year 1,500 calls were handled and 96 arrests were
made.
Investigated
Complaints by Offenses
2010
2011
4
11
Robbery
0
0
Arson
0
1
Assault/Domestic Violence
20
24
Breaking & Entering
19
14
Larceny
42
44
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
5
Malicious Destruction of
Property
35
22
Carrying Concealed
Weapon
5
0
19
11
Tickets Issued
539
180
Violation of Controlled
Substances
n/a
15
Many of the deputies assigned to the Four Winds Law
Enforcement Sub-Station bring specialties with them
including two tactical team members, two hostage negotiators, accident reconstructionist, firearms
instructor, arson investigator and crime scene technician. Detective Bureau
The goal of the Detective Bureau is to identify, apprehend, solve and prosecute the suspects involved in
the more serious offenses. To accomplish this, the Detective Bureau takes on a team approach to take
advantage of the different skills of its members, along with skills from other members within the Sheriff’s
Office.
Currently, the Detective Bureau consists of four full-�time detectives; one Detective Lieutenant and three
Detective Sergeants. These members have received specialized training in conducting investigations
and collecting information, and often possess knowledge and skills in other
fields, which better enables them to put together the more challenging and
serious cases. They work closely with members of the Patrol Division, including
many of those members that have other specialized training, such as training
in arson investigations and crime scene evidence collection, which allows
the Sheriff’s Office the ability to handle any type of investigation.
The Detectives are also tasked with reviewing, assigning, coordinating, and
assisting other members from the Patrol Division with criminal investigations,
along with assisting other agencies in requests for help.
Gisela Ritter - Secretary
22
Detective Bureau cont.
There were several changes in personnel in the Detective Bureau in 2011.
Detective Sergeant Michael Danneffel retired in June after 25 years of service
and his knowledge and experience will be greatly missed in the day-to-day
operations. The Detective Bureau was very fortunate to retain Detective
Sergeant Danneffel on a part-time basis after his retirement from the county
to continue to take advantage of his expertise and skill in computer forensics.
The Detective Bureau will keep him busy analyzing computers, cell phones
and electronic storage devices used in criminal behavior which is a vital
Det. Sgt. Danneffel
part of the many investigations. In fact, the number of devices analyzed by
Detective Sergeant Danneffel doubled in 2011.
Furthermore, Detective Lieutenant Randy Miller, who was new to the Detective Bureau in 2010,
received a promotion and returned to patrol. This left two vacancies, which were filled by Detective
Sergeant Rockey Adams and Detective Sergeant Joseph Margherone. Both have hit the ground
running and demonstrated important characteristics for investigators that include attention to detail,
time management skills, hard work and a willingness to learn.
With the help of the Detective Bureau’s Administrative Assistant, Gisela Ritter, the Detectives have
worked very hard to apprehend and convict the persons responsible for these crimes.
Below is a snap shot of the numbers of the more serious cases handled by the Detective Bureau. Please
keep in mind that some of these investigations took hundreds of hours to complete.
The Sheriff’s Office provided assistance to the following
Agencies with computer forensics: St. Joseph Township
Police Department, Michigan State Police Post 53 and
Post 54, Watervliet Police Department, Lincoln Township
Police Department, Benton Township Police Department,
St. Joseph Police Department, Coloma Township Police
Department, Niles Police Department, Michigan Department
of Corrections, Berrien County Felony Probation, the FBI, and
the Cass County Sheriff’s Department.
A total of 44 hard drives, 4 flash drives, 2 I-pods, 2 cell phones,
4 floppy discs, 1 printer, 1 camera card, 33 CD’s and 1 DV-R
were examined on a variety of types of criminal activity
to include homicide, burglary, larceny, threats, sexual
harassment, and child pornography.
Finally, the Detective Bureau
would like to remind the
citizens of Berrien County to
be aware of their surroundings
and report all suspicious
behavior. We need your help
in keeping Berrien County a
wonderful place to live.
Det. Lt. Sanders
23
TYPE OF CASE
Home Invasions
Armed Robberies
Criminal Sexual
Conduct Investigations
Larceny
Fraud
Involuntary Manslaughter
Assault
Breaking & Entering
Stolen Vehicle
Recovered Property
Death Investigations
(including suicide)
Missing Person
Vulnerable Adult
Child Abuse
Forgery
Arrests
MDOP
Threats/Harassment
Jail Investigations
MISSION Investigation
Recovered Property
Values
NUMBER
11
6
25
16
15
1
6
20
3
6
16
2
5
4
4
83
2
7
9
1
$17,685.00
Reserve Division
The Reserve Division volunteered a total of 9,100 man-hours for the citizens of
Berrien County, which were 604 more hours than last year. The Reserve Division
assisted the Road Patrol, Crime Prevention, Emergency Management, and the
Jail Division.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office once again hosted a Basic Reserve Officer’s
Academy. Twenty individuals from seven departments throughout Berrien
County participated in this 96-hour course. Of that total there were six Berrien
County Sheriff’s Office reserve officers bring the total active reserve roster to 46.
Lt. Ganus
Throughout the year the Reserve Division has worked a total of 41 scheduled
events which totaled 219 days. The events ranged from parades, property checks, building checks,
emergency callouts, sporting events for local schools, and numerous festivals throughout Berrien County,
as well as providing security at the Berrien County Youth Fair.
BREAK DOWN OF VOLUNTEER
HOURS
Road Patrol
3100
Training
744
Administration
350
Silver Beach
89
Other Festivals
695
Miscellaneous
1165
Blossomtime
341
Sporting Events
213
17
Berrien County Youth Fair
1057
Niles Twp. Building Checks
849
Jail
287
Callouts
94
Watervliet Twp. Building Checks
99
The Reserve Division adopted six families, a total of eleven
children for Christmas with the ‘Shop with a Cop’ Program at
the Niles Wal-Mart. The families were from the Niles Township,
Berrien Springs, New Buffalo Township, and Watervliet
Township.
Each year the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division chooses a
Reserve Officer of the Year. This individual is selected by his/her peers as being
the officer who goes above and beyond the call of duty, not only with respect
to law enforcement but with the day-to-day tasks that make the Reserve
Division efficient. This year the award went to Reserve Officer Sonny Fuller.
Reserve Officer Sgt. Fuller
24
Narcotics
In the calendar year of 2011, the Berrien County Narcotics Unit investigated 1043 incidents, which resulted
in 270 arrests by the Narcotics Unit. This number includes felonies, misdemeanors, custodial arrests, and
citations. Many of these arrests were made as the Narcotics Unit served 75 search warrants, conducted
11 buy/busts, and also conducted 30 consent searches. Many of these search warrants were the
direct result of information received from the South Bend Area Crime Stoppers Program, concerned
citizens, and local police agencies. The Berrien County Narcotics Unit also conducted 102 undercover
investigations, where undercover police officers purchased illegal
narcotics.
5 lbs Marijuana
Marijuana and crack cocaine continue to be the most common
drug of choice, although heroin related incidents have steadily
increased. Methamphetamine and Methamphetamine Laboratories
are also commonly encountered. Cocaine hydrochloride (powder
cocaine) and illegally obtained
prescription medications were
also commonly encountered.
Significant investigations included the seizure of 33 ounces of heroin
during a traffic stop on I-94 by Deputy Marc Hopkins and his K-9
detection partner “Diesel” on April 14, 2011. This traffic stop lead to
two individuals being sentenced to lengthy prison terms through the
United States Federal Court System. Also on August 29, 2011, Deputy
Jason Haskins and his K-9 detection partner “Rico” seized $27,600.00
in U.S. Currency during a traffic stop on I-94.
Crack-Cocaine
The Narcotics Unit, with assistance of the Michigan State Police Aviation Unit, conducted Operation
Hemp searches for outdoor marijuana cultivation operations in 2011. Operation Hemp resulted in the
seizure of 73 marijuana plants from grow sites in Buchanan Township, Bertrand Township, Galien Township,
Lincoln Township, and Benton Township. The Narcotics Unit personnel believes that the significant
reduction in the seizure of outdoor marijuana grow operations is the result of increased enforcement
by law enforcement personnel and the cooperation of citizens, as well as the passage of the State
of Michigan Medical Marijuana act. However the Berrien County Sheriff Office’s Narcotics Unit did
seize 468 marijuana plants from various indoor and outdoor grow operations throughout the County of
Berrien in the calendar year of 2011.
Meth Gas Generator
The Narcotics Unit continues to work with other agencies inside and
outside of Berrien County on investigations. In 2011 the Narcotics Unit
provided assistance on 22 cases with other agencies, including the
DEA, FBI, Southwest Enforcement Team (MSP), Van Buren County
Sheriff’s Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Department, the Benton
Harbor City Department of Public Safety, the Benton Township Police
Department, the Saint Joseph Charter Township Police Department,
the Coloma Township Police Department, the Watervliet City
Police Department, the Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Police
Department, the Niles City Police Department, and other local police
agencies.
25
Narcotics cont.
In the calendar year of 2011, the two drug detection and tracking canines and their respective handlers,
conducted 117 searches. These searches were conducted for both the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office
and in assists to other agencies. A very important activity of the K-9 unit has been assists to schools in
the form of searches.
These searches continue to be important even if no drugs are found as they deter drugs from being
brought into the schools.
Another important activity of the Narcotics Unit in 2011 was drug awareness education for such groups
as school teachers during in-service training, health care workers, neighborhood watch groups, utility
service workers, citizens, and fire and law enforcement personnel. The goal of this training has been to
make the public more aware of signs of drug use and to promote safety in the event a person came
into contact with drugs or a drug lab. The Narcotics Unit provided training for 35 people in 2011.
The Berrien County Narcotics Unit’s “Methamphetamine Laboratory Technicians” also took part in the
investigation and dismantling of 16 Methamphetamine Laboratories in the County of Berrien in 2011.
In the calendar year of 2011, the Berrien County Sheriff Office’s Narcotics Unit had a deputy assigned
to the Michigan State Police South-West Enforcement Team on a full-time basis, to assist in Narcotic
Investigations in a three county area. The counties are Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren. By having a
full-time deputy assigned to this multi-jurisdictional unit, the Sheriff firmly believes that Narcotic
enforcement activity is being enhanced in the County of Berrien.
The Narcotics Unit was awarded $81,343.17 in cash as a result of civil forfeiture cases in 2011. Additionally
the Narcotics Unit received $22,277.50 in proceeds from vehicles and other property sold at auction in
2011, for total civil forfeiture proceeds of $103,620.67. This number does not reflect 2011 civil forfeiture
cases still pending or vehicles and other property awarded in 2011 and awaiting auction.
In the calendar year of 2011, the Berrien County Narcotics Unit seized 56 firearms, while conducting
narcotic investigations, such as the execution of search warrants.
The following is a breakdown of drugs and their street values seized by or purchased by the Narcotics
Unit in 2011. These values are established using DEA data.
DRUG TYPE
AMOUNT
STREET VALUE
Crack Cocaine
490 grams
$49,000.00
Powder Cocaine
67 grams
$6,700.00
Heroin
965 grams
$112,750.00
14.5 pounds
$14,500.00
Marijuana Plants
468 plants
$468,000.00
Methamphetamine
1.5 grams
$250.00
Marijuana
Misc. Drugs.
Seized Cash
$13,000.00
Total Value.
26
$664,200.00
K-9 Unit
The canine program was established in 2008 to supplement police operations by
locating and apprehending criminal offenders and locating illegal narcotics. Because
of superior sense of smell, hearing, and potential aggressiveness, the trained law
enforcement canine is a valuable supplement to law enforcement manpower.
Deputies Marc Hopkins and Jason Haskins along with their K-9’s Diesel and Rico have
been partners since 2008. The handlers and their K-9’s receive monthly training and are
re-certified on an annual basis. The K-9’s must obey their handlers without hesitation
and be able to work under the most trying and adverse conditions. Each police dog
handler is trained in the tactical application of his dog prior to being placed in an
operational status.
K-9’s Diesel and Rico are trained in tracking and trailing fleeing felons and lost children
or adults. They have the ability to locate discarded articles and can detect the odor
of narcotics. K-9’s are particularly efficient in searching large fields or buildings for hidden
suspects and can access small areas that officers would not be able to. They are also very useful in high risk
situations such as vehicle pursuits, which often lead into foot chases where the K-9’s speed and tracking
ability become essential.
Dep. Haskins and “Rico”
Diesel and Rico are assigned to Deputies Hopkins and Haskins 24 hours a day.
This strengthens the bond between the police canine and their handlers
and it allows for a quicker response in emergencies if they are requested
while off duty.
On an everyday basis, the K-9 unit is requested for searches, such as for
missing persons, tracking, building searches, narcotic searches, and suspect
Dep. Hopkins and “Diesel”
apprehension. In 2011, the unit conducted 117 searches. These searches were
conducted for the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, assists to other agencies, the Berrien County Jail, and for
area schools.
Arson
Investigation
Unit
Fire Type
Number
Structure
5
Vehicle
15
Personal Property
2
The Arson Investigation Unit consists of a two member team and a
team leader. The Unit also has agreements with many other local
agencies for assistance with their trained investigators to assist in
determining the cause and origins of fires.
The Arson Investigation Unit investigates many types of suspicious
fires; such as vehicle fires, burning of personal property, and structure
fires. The unit is either requested by the responding fire department
or by the police officer responding to the fire. The officers assigned to
this unit receive specialized training in various aspects of investigating
�fire incidents. The initial training is provided by the State Fire Marshal
Division of the Michigan State Police. Unit members train in various
locations throughout the State with several different agencies to
maintain their proficiency.
27
Location
Number
Berrien Twp
1
Niles Twp
16
New Buffalo Twp
1
Royalton Twp
2
St. Joseph Twp
1
Weesaw Twp
1
Bomb Squad
In June 2011, Sergeant Chris Corteville retired from the Berrien County
Sheriff’s Office. Sergeant Corteville was a member of the Bomb Team and
a Bomb Technician since 2003. Sheriff Bailey named Sergeant Ronald
Bush as the new member on the Berrien County Bomb Squad to fill the
vacancy from the retirement.
The Bomb Squad is currently made up of five members who were sent to the
Sgt. Corteville
Bomb Technicians Certification Course sponsored by the U.S. Department
of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Army Ordinance Unit. The course is held
at the Hazardous Device School (HDS) Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Each member is
recertified every three years to continue their Bomb Technician Certification.
In 2011�, members of the Bomb Squad attended the 5th District Bomb Squad Regional Training: Advanced
Electronic Course, TEES (Explosive Breaching), and Envision- Open Vision X-ray Class.
The Berrien County Bomb Squad diligently responds to our community needs when it comes to dealing
with any explosive or suspicious items. This year the Bomb Squad responded to 14 calls ranging from
explosive devises to suspicious packages.
Date
Type of Response
Municipality
April 11
Explosive Seizure
City of Benton Harbor
May 5
Suspicious Package
Oronoko Township
May 23
Explosive Seizure
St. Joseph Township
June 2
Post Blast Investigation
Niles Township
June 5
Suspicious Package
Three Oaks
June 6
Explosive Seizure
Coloma Township
June 7
Suspicious Package
Cass County - Howard Township
July 12
Improvised Explosive
City of Niles
August 16
Suspicious Package
Weesaw Township
October 2
Improvised Explosive
St. Joseph Township
October 7
Explosive Seizure
Cass County - City of Dowagiac
October 8
Explosive Seizure
St. Joseph Township
November 10
Explosive Seizure
Hagar Township
December 1
Explosive Seizure
City of Berrien Springs
28
Crime Scene
Investigation Unit
The Crime Scene Investigation Unit is staffed by 8 specially trained
Deputies. The Deputies assigned to this unit are also assigned
to different patrol positions; to include the contracted township
patrol units. The Deputies are called upon to assist other Deputies
in properly documenting, identifying, and collecting evidence at
complex crime scenes. The Deputies assigned to this Unit work
closely with our Agencies’ Detectives and are overseen by a
Detective Sergeant. The Unit also often assists other area Police
agencies by request.
Location
Number
Bainbridge Twp
1
Benton Harbor City
5
Benton Twp
1
Bertrand Twp
1
Buchanan City
1
Buchanan Twp
2
Eau Claire Village
1
Grand Beach
2
Hagar Twp
6
Lake Twp
1
Lincoln Twp
1
New Buffalo Twp
3
Niles Twp
20
Pipestone Twp
1
Sodus Twp
2
St. Joseph Twp
2
Watervliet City
1
Watervliet Twp
2
Weesaw Twp
1
The Crime Scene Investigation Unit has a laboratory that is set up
to process numerous pieces of evidence for latent prints, DNA, and
other trace evidence. Once those items are processed, the findings
are transferred to the Michigan State Police Crime Lab for analysis
and possible identification of suspects. This processing often takes a
lot of time and concentration, much beyond what is seen on today’s
popular television shows.
The unit has solved numerous cases due to the Deputies’ commitment
to properly identify and document physical evidence. Cases involving
DNA, fingerprints, footwear and impressions have been processed
through the use of our Laboratory. Many of the cases may not have
been successfully prosecuted
without this evidence. In 2010
there were 26 incidents in which
the Crime Scene Investigators
were called to investigate. In
2011, there were 54 incidents
where they were called to
investigate.
29
Accident
Reconstruction Unit
This year 1,064 crashes were handled by the Berrien County
Sheriff’s Office road patrol and the Accident Reconstruction
Team. The Reconstruction Team was called out for 10 fatal
crashes, 9 serious Injury crashes and also mapped out an
excavation site in the Galien River where human bones were
found.
Sergeant Steve Campbell attended a week long school
instructed by Michigan State University in Lansing to become
certified in the use of the CDR, (Crash Data Retrieval System).
The Crash Data Retrieval System allows one to download
information from the ACM (Airbag Control Module) which
has been standard in most vehicles
Lt. Goulooze
since 1995. When a crash occurs
and the air bags are deployed, sensors in the vehicle record information on
the ACM with up to 5 seconds pre-impact. On newer models it will not only
give us the speed, seatbelt status and RPM’s but also the angle the tires were
at, when the brakes were hit, if the lights were on and change of momentum.
This has become a very useful tool in investigating crashes.
The
Accident
Reconstruction
Team trains quarterly and is joined
by Officer Thad Chartrand from
Lincoln Township Police, who is also
an Accident Reconstructionist.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s
Office is the only one in
Southwest Michigan to have
a complete CDR.
Crashes involving
Deer
Alcohol Injuries
Drugs
ORV
Farm Equipment
Fleeing Police
School Bus
Snowmobiles
Bicycle
Construction Zone
Semi-Trucks
Emergency Vehicles
Motorcycles
Pedestrians
Total
CRASHES IN 2011
Fatal
Injuries
Property Damage
289
50 (1 fatal/24 injuries)
4
1
1
2
2
0
5.4 Injuries
21 (7 injuries)
60 (1 fatal/8 Injuries)
15 (4 injuries)
1064
30
5
244
815
Accident
Reconstruction Unit cont.
FATAL CRASHES
February 12, 2011
Red Arrow Highway at I-94 overpass-two pedestrians hit by a truck
LincolnTownship
February 22. 2011
South 11th Street at Dewitt Road-car vs. semi, head on
Niles Township
March 30, 2011
Sawyer Road at Minnich Road-two cars hit at the intersection
Chikaming Township
May 6, 2011
Galien-Buchanan Road near Hess Road-motorcycle in curve
Buchanan Township
May 23, 2011
Assist Benton Township Police-car vs. house.
Benton Township
August 14, 2011
North Shore Drive at Klock Road-motorcycle vs. truck at intersection
Benton Harbor
August 14, 2011
Shawnee Road at Hills Road-SUV vs truck at intersection
Baroda Township
September 6, 2011
I-196 on the south ramp at Coloma Road-one SUV into trees
Hagar Township
October 9, 2011
Red Arrow Highway near Lakeshore Road-motorcycle vs. car
New Buffalo Township
October 9, 2011
Dan Smith Road at John Goff Road-truck hit pedestrian
Watervliet Township
October 14, 2011
M-140 Highway at Deans Hill Road-van vs. car at intersection
Berrien Township
SERIOUS INJURY CRASHES
February 11, 2011
I-94 east lanes at 4 ½ mile marker-two semi’s rear ended
March 10, 2011
Niles Road at Jasper Dairy Road-van vs. car head on
Royalton Township
March 25, 2011
Old US-31 near Daniel Boone Trail-two cars at a driveway
Berrien Township
July 22, 2011
Cleveland Road near John Beers Road - car vs bicycle
Lincoln Township
July 24, 2011
Red Arrow HIghway near Lakeshore Road - 3 cards rear ended
November 15, 2011
US-31 Bypass north lanes near M-139 Highway - 10 vehicles crash in
fog, assist MI State Police.
Oronoko Township
November 23,2011
Sodus Parkway over US-31 Bypass - van vs semi head on
Sodus Township
Galien River east of Red Arrow Highway bridge mapping of
underwater excavation site
OTHER SCENES
March 25, 2011
31
Dive Team
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team may be called upon
to conduct underwater criminal investigations and search and
recovery operations within the county or in other jurisdictions,
when support is requested. Search and recovery operations
are normally limited to law enforcement purposes (recovery of
evidence, crime scene investigations, missing persons).
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team was called out 8
times in 2011, three times for drowning victims and the remaining
calls for property and evidence recovery. The eight member team
with call outs and monthly trainings logged 43 dives and over 46
hours under water. The team had over 473 hours of training in 2011.
L to R: J. Duffield, S. Kuhl, D. Goulooze, G. Morrow,
R. Miller, B. Oliver, D. Zizkovsky
This year, the Dive Team was able to replace two outboard motors through the
Department of Natural Resource grants. Purchased was one Evenrude E-Tec 25
hp. with a jet drive and a 90 hp. Evenrude E-Tec. Also purchased this year was a
Sea Life digital underwater camera, to document underwater crime scenes and
recovered evidence. The team has also started replacing dive computers for each
of the divers, replacing the old ones which are approximately 18 years old.
On March 29th and March 31st the Dive Team was called out to the Galien River just
east of the Red Arrow Hwy. Bridge in New Buffalo Township. It was there that two
young fisherman hooked and pulled out what was found to be a human bone. The
team set up an underwater excavation site and with rotating divers excavated a 6’x8’ area 3’ deep in
6’ of water. Several bones were recovered and sent into a Forensic Anthropologist. The bones may be
as old as 150 years. The results have not yet returned.
The Dive Team currently has four openings, one of the openings is to replace Lt. Jeff Duffield who left the
team after 15 years of service. In December five department members applied for the up and coming
openings on the Dive Team.
They went through a swim and
DIVE TEAM CALL OUTS
oral evaluation.
March 29th, 30th 31st, 2011: The Galien River just east of the Red Arrow Highway
Bridge in New Buffalo Township, recovery of several human bones was made.
June 22, 2011: Lake Michigan, off the South Pier in St. Joseph, body of a 19 year
old male was recovered.
July 7, 2011: Assist Van Burren County Sheriff Department with the search and
recovery of a drowning victim in Donovan Lake in Bangor.
July 23, 2011: Lake Michigan at Silver Beach, the recovery of a hand gun.
August 12, 2011: Lake Michigan at Jean Klock Beach, search and located
a missing swimmer, found safe. October 8, 2011: St. Joseph River off Riverview Dr. in Benton Harbor recovered
an SUV driven into the river by an intoxicated driver, who was not hurt.
October 15, 2011: Lake Michigan off the New Buffalo piers, missing kayaker,
18 year old male from Illinois. Area was searched on October 19th and 23rd, but not
located. Body washed up on shore 20 miles south in Indiana on November 5, 2010.
November 21, 2011: St. Joseph River in Niles above the French Paper Co. dam,
recovered a 1995 Oldsmobile that had been reported stolen to Niles City Police in
Feb. 2002.
November 21, 2011: A pond off Sister Lakes Road in Cass County, recovered a
floor safe taken in a B&E of a business in Sodus in 2008.
November 24, 2011: Lake St. High rise marina in St. Joseph, SUV in the marina
with two subjects on top. All were rescued and vehicle removed.
32
Hazardous Materials
Response Unit
The Berrien County Sheriff Office’s Hazardous Materials Response
Unit (HMU) was formed in 1981 after a train derailment proved the
county needed such a response team. The HMU is comprised of 15
trained members consisting of 14 deputies and one officer from the
Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Police Department. Each member
of the HMU has different day-to-day law enforcement responsibilities
and the unit is activated on a need-basis.
Once appointed to the team, each member attends a series of
courses at the Hazardous Materials Training Center located in
Lansing, Michigan. This comprehensive training begins with learning
how to identify a hazardous material incident and protect the public.
Training progresses to learn how to decontaminate people exposed
to a hazardous material and learn strategies on how to contain or
mitigate a hazardous material release.
Location
Benton Twp
Bridgman
Chikaming Twp
Eau Claire Village
Lincoln Twp
New Buffalo Twp
Niles Twp
Paw Paw
Pipestone Twp
St. Joseph City
Three Oaks
Number
4
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
The HMU also trains with federal, state, and local responders;
enabling the team to respond to a variety of hazardous chemical
incidents including potential acts of terrorism. Team members
have attended federally funded terrorism response training
courses that provide specific training for radiological, explosive,
and chemical warfare incidents.
The HMU trains together at least once a month to maintain
proficiency and demonstrate their abilities to the highest
standards. The HMU is also a participating member of a network
of “Haz-Mat” Teams known as the Regional Response Team
Dep. McKie assisted by Sgt. McGrew
Network, coordinated by the Michigan State Police Emergency
Management Division. As a member of this network, the Berrien County Hazardous Materials Unit trains
extensively to respond to events of terrorism that may
occur within the State of Michigan. Also, through this
cooperative agreement, the Hazmat Team has been
able to coordinate training and equipment with other
“Haz-Mat” teams across the State. Should there be a
need to ask any of these teams to assist here in Berrien
County; the Berrien County Hazardous Materials Unit
will be able to work more cohesively with the assisting
teams given the similarity of equipment and training.
Tank Explosion in Sawyer
33
Marine Division
Due to the long hot summer of 2011, many boaters and swimmers enjoyed cooling
off with the abundance of lakes and rivers in Berrien County. Under the supervision
of Lt. Martin Kurtz, the Marine Division is staffed by highly trained Marine Law
Enforcement Deputies.
The Marine Division is 75% funded by a Marine Safety Grant
awarded by the Department of Natural Resources. Grant
applications are submitted at the end of each year for
funding disbursements in the following year.
Colleen Rutter
Marine Division Secretery
Lt. Kurtz
In addition, Federal Marine Equipment Grants are made possible through the
United States Coast Guard, dispersed by the Department of Natural Resources.
These Equipment Grants are 100% funded and are dependent upon requests
submitted by other Sheriff’s Departments throughout Michigan. Berrien County
was very fortunate to receive Federal funding to purchase two 90hp E-Tech boat
motors and an E-Tech 25hp motor to replace the old and failing motors.
An immense “Thank You” to The Whirlpool Corporation, AEP, and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi
Indians for their generous donations enabling the county to purchase a new 25 foot Safe Boat. This new
boat will be harbored in the New Buffalo Port and used for safety patrols and emergencies on Lake
Michigan in the southern portion of the county. The Marine Division is also equipped with a 27 foot Sea
Ark boat, harbored in the St. Joseph Port, which services the northern portion of Lake Michigan.
The official boating season begins with the Memorial Day holiday
weekend and ends with the Labor Day holiday weekend. Many hours
are spent during the prior months conducting deputy training and
equipment maintenance, concluding in late September with boats and
trailers being serviced for storage.
The Marine Division is involved in the unfortunate tasks of search-and
rescues and body recovery efforts. Responses to drowning call-outs
included Niles Township, Hagar Beach and a pier jumper in St. Joseph.
Another pier jumper is alive today due to the quick response by Marine
Division Sergeant Jason Rutkowske. Sergeant Rutkowske jumped in the
water with a life ring and assisted the Indiana teen to safety. Sergeant
Rutkowske was presented a Lifesaving Award for his efforts.
L to R: Sheriff Bailey, Sgt. Rutkowske,
Undersheriff Heit
Unfortunately, rip currents on Lake Michigan are a major concern along
our coast line. Rip current warnings are now announced by local news
and radio stations during their weather statements. The National Weather
Service has conducted several meetings with emergency responders,
state and public beach managers to help predict the possibilities of rip
currents.
Patrols cover Lake Michigan, from Hagar Township to New Buffalo, as well
as the St. Joseph and Galien Rivers. Additional bodies of water patrolled
in 2011 included Paw Paw Lake, Lake Chapin, Pipestone Lake, Paw Paw
River, Black Lake, Little Paw Paw Lake, Madron Lake, Singer Lake and Clear
Lake.
34
Marine Division cont.
The following table outlines some of the many activities performed
by the 2011 Marine Division crew members:
ACTIVITY
Patrol Hrs
Citations
Contacts
Warnings
Safety
Checks
Lake MI-St. Joseph
632
17
122
10
22
St. Joseph River
917
19
288
36
35
Lake MI-New Buffalo
543
30
249
43
71
Galien River
547
14
122
19
32
Paw Paw Lake
414
22
489
51
183
Pipestone Lake
61
5
43
16
7
Lake Chapin
67
5
75
6
15
Black Lake
3
0
5
0
1
Little Paw Paw Lake
56
3
70
7
15
Clear Lake
18
5
11
6
6
Madron Lake
4
0
0
0
0
Singer Lake
4
0
0
0
0
3,266
120
1,474
194
387
Body of Water
TOTALS
The majority of tickets and warnings issued were for violations for: No/expired registrations, no Boater
Safety Certificate, PWC operations after hours, slow/no wake, navigational rules, reckless and careless
operations, no/lacking PFD (Personal Floatation Device), and lack of required safety equipment. Two
arrests were made for boating under the influence of either alcohol and/or drugs and two for furnishing
false information to a law enforcement officer.
In addition to regular patrols, the Marine Division provides support to many festivals and events
including: fireworks in St. Joseph and New Buffalo for July 4, Blossomtime Parade,Venetian Festival,
Steelheader’sTriathalon, and the New Buffalo Ship-N-Shore.
In efforts to promote a safe boating environment, the Marine Division held 8 boater safety classes,
certifying 133 boaters. Boater safety classes began in April and ran throughout the summer. Classes
were held on the weekends at various locations within Berrien County. Boater safety classes are free
of charge and are a required course for anyone at least 14 years old, and those born after December
31, 1978, who wish to operate personal watercraft in the state of Michigan. Class announcements
were published through press releases and posted on the Sheriff’s Office website, www.bcsheriff.org.
Registrations are completed and confirmed via email.
Marine Division Additional Duties
Activity
Accidents
Search & Rescue
Officer Training
Livery Inspections
Maintenance
Administration
Hours
8.0
137.5
823.0
71.0
1460.5
1356.2
Public Activities
124.0
Location/Type
Lake Michigan, St. Joseph River, GalienRiver
Lake Michigan, St. Joseph River, GalienRiver
Marine Law, boating skills, enforcement, investigating, reporting
14 rental agencies, 187 vessels inspected, 7 vessels failed
Boats, boat motors, trailers, tow vehicles and equipment
Office duties, scheduling, reporting
Pier 33 Open House, Blossomtime Parade, USCG Open House, Camp 911, Sheriff’s Kid’s Camp,
Public Safety Day, Steelheader’s Triathlon, National Night Out, Harbor Shores Open House, Berrien
County Youth Fair Safety Day, Venetian Festival, New Buffalo Ship-N-Shore, St. Joseph Pier Safety,
The Chapel Safety Day, Bridgman City Public Safety Day
35
Water Rescue Team
The Berrien County Water Rescue Team operates under the jurisdiction,
direction and supervision of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Marine
Division Commander Lt. Martin C. Kurtz IV and is funded by tax
deductible donations through the Berrien Community Foundation. The Water Rescue Team (WRT), has successfully completed a second
full season which is currently staffed with 13 volunteers from police,
fire, emergency services personnel and other dedicated personnel
from Berrien County. WRT members volunteer their time and receive
specialized training in marine safety and water rescue techniques.
The WRT is equipped with 4 personal watercraft (PWC’S), 2 kayaks, trailers and a pick-up truck. The
purpose of the Berrien County Water Rescue Team (WRT) is to augment related efforts provided by the
United States Coast Guard in St. Joseph and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division. The WRT
is a separate unit within the Marine Division and will focus its resources in the St. Joseph and Benton
Harbor area, but will be able to respond to water emergencies throughout Berrien County.
The Water Rescue Team (WRT) is a non-law enforcement reserve unit within the Berrien County Sheriff’s
Office Marine Division. WRT’s primary mission is water rescue and will operate under the direction,
supervision and policies as set forth by the Marine Division.
Patrols
59
hours
Public Meetings
62
hours
Special Event
Patrols
25
hours
Orchard’s Mall Expo, Pier 33 Open House, St. Joseph City
Community, National Night Out, and Berrien County Youth
Fair
Steelheader’s Triatholon, Harbor Shores Grand Opening and
St. Joseph Parade
Emergency
Call-Outs
19
hours
Medical emergencies at Silver Beach and Lion’s Beach.
Weather evacuations at Silver Beach and Jean Klock Park.
Search & Rescues
62
hours
Lake Michigan at Chalets, Tiscornia Beach, Jean Klock
Beach, Warren Dunes, St. Joseph South Pier, Silver Beach,
Lincoln Township, St. Joseph River, and Morrison Channel.
St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Beaches
36
Snowmobile Patrol
Under the supervision of Lt. Martin Kurtz IV, the Snowmobile Unit is staffed
by trained snowmobile law enforcement officers. The Snowmobile
Unit is 85% state funded by a grant from the Department of Natural
Resources.
The Snowmobile Unit consists of a fleet of 2 Yamaha 4-stroke
snowmobiles, an enclosed trailer and a Snowbulance. The Snowbulance
is an enclosed medical emergency response unit designed to transport
injured snowmobilers and a medical responder. Once stabilized, a
victim can be transported from the trail to an awaiting ambulance.
Activity Totals
Patrol Hours
Contacts
Tickets
Warnings
Complaints
Arrests
2010
323
281
30
32
1
1
2011
289
534
9
14
1
0
Berrien County’s snowmobile patrols
include state trails 59 & 590 in the north, and the Galien trail to the
south. Mutual aid agreements with Van Buren and Cass County Sheriff
Departments allowed for combined enforcement efforts patrolling
trails shared by neighboring counties.
Although patrols are weather dependent each year, the Snowmobile
Division is always very active.
Motorcycle Unit
The Berrien County Sheriff Motor Unit operates six HarleyDavidson Police Road Kings. In 2011 the unit was assigned to
43 different events which included providing motorcade escorts
for benefit rides throughout the county and participation in
many local parades and community events. The Motor Unit is
beneficial in assisting with traffic at many of the 5K Run/Walk
events as well.
Each officer assigned to the Motor Unit participates in monthly
training along with an annual recertification to keep up their skills
in the areas of low speed maneuvers, emergency deceleration
and braking, high-speed lane changes and collision avoidance.
In 2011 the two of the officers assigned to the Motor Unit
participated in the Bikes on the Bricks event that is hosted
by the Flint Police Department. This is a law enforcement
motorcycle training event where officers train and compete
in several challenge events to enhance their riding ability. This
year Deputies Jamie Laughlin and Don Lighthart Jr. attended
this training. Deputy Lighthart received a 1st Place on the skills
course and a 2nd Place on the challenge course in the basic
level skills competition. Deputy Laughlin received a 2nd Place on
the challenge course and a 3rd Place on the skills course at the
expert level skills competition.
37
Training
The Training Division completed another great year
in providing training to Berrien County Sheriff’s Office
members and outside agencies. The Berrien County
Sheriff’s Office concentrates its efforts� in researching
and providing quality training for its personnel. The
Training Division will train over 300 different officers
and professionals during a calendar year. Over 200
students are from within the department and require
Lt. Jewell
on-going monthly and annual training. All training
must be tracked and reported sometimes requiring special report formats
for specific areas. Coordination and revision are daily routines.
Administrative Assistant Colleen Rutter has been invaluable in keeping
the division running smoothly. Colleen completes most of the registration
processes including the arrangement of travel and lodging. Colleen also
tracks all training through our in-house database and maintains an up-todate report of completed and pending training.
The training division recorded over (19,500) man hours of training in 2011 in over (40) different subjects
and Special Teams training. This is a decrease from 2010 (21,845) which is due to the department pistol
transition training conducted in 2010 which required additional specialized training.
The training division continues to be challenged with the ever
increasing demands of today’s law enforcement to include State
mandated training and specific training related to imposed threats
such as terrorism and VIP protection. There is a momentum in the
study of human performance and reality based threat assessment
for law enforcement. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office is in step
with researching and providing these concepts to its members.
BCSO has recognized that training is in the forefront of minimizing
potentially serious injury or death, whether it is in vehicle operations,
physical control tactics or the development of a Use of Force
committee. There is a steady commitment to fill any training deficit.
Sheriff Bailey has demanded his personnel be well trained, especially
in the area of firearms and use of force. By Sheriff Bailey’s directive,
the jail and enforcement divisions have specific range training 3 and
4 times a year respectively. The department also utilizes a scenario
based firearms simulator. Current funding through a grant process is
being sought to replace and upgrade the system in 2012.
The Training division is also tasked with developing instructors from
within the Sheriff’s Office. I am pleased to find many of the best
instructors in Southwest Michigan if not the State from within our own
ranks. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office has over 8 different Specialty
Teams most of which have their own instructor level members and
require monthly and bi-monthly training with annual state and federal
mandates.
38
Training cont.
One of the biggest challenges to the training division is its ability to
register, track and export personnel training. Annual reports are
submitted to the state that require individual training records. Annual
inspections require spot check training reviews of random personnel
in which data must be gathered in a short period of time. The training
division has also been tasked with tracking volunteer and reserve
unit trainings. The database data increases rapidly. A proposal for a
management system has been submitted and is still under review. A
management system will significantly cut down on man hours spent
on data entry and redundant queries.
Many new challenges lie ahead in 2012 in the rapidly developing area
of training for law enforcement. Sadly in 2011 a near record number
of officers lost their lives across the country. An increased effort to
lower that number comes directly from training divisions nationally.
Sheriff Bailey has created a Use of Force committee tasked with policy
reviews, physical control tactics, force science and human behavior
along with post incident protocol reviews. Getting the training and
knowledge to the officers and providing a point of contact for
information is a priority for the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office in 2012.
FBI National Academy
On December 16, 2011 Undersheriff Chuck Heit received his diploma
from FBI Director Robert Mueller for graduating from the FBI National
Academy. The National Academy is a 10 week course taught by FBI
teaching staff and other professional educators. �The curriculum is both
academic and physical, designed to better prepare law enforcement
managers for current issues they face day to day. The National Academy
is held at the FBI Academy located on the U.S. Marine Corps Base at
Quantico, VA.
The FBI National Academy was established in 1935 and over 37,000 law
Undersheriff Chuck Heit
enforcement officers have attended the NA. There are 4 NA sessions
each year, spring, summer, fall and winter. Undersheriff Heit attended the 247thsession of the NA which
included 266 students and 25 of the students came from law enforcement agencies outside the United
States.
Each student at the National Academy is required to take a
physical fitness class that focuses on both physical training and
nutrition. In addition to the physical training classes there are
weekly fit challenges. At the end of the academy students
must complete a 6.1 mile long endurance and obstacle course,
otherwise known as the “Yellow Brick Road”. Upon completion,
each person receives a yellow painted brick.
39
Tactical Response Unit
The Tactical Response Unit (TRU) currently has seventeen active members
down from twenty-two. Current team composition consists of fourteen
Berrien County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), two Pokagon Tribal and one from
Benton Harbor City Police Department. Vacancies are; one from BCSO
due to retirement, one resignation from Berrien Springs/Oronoko Township
Police Department due to prolonged inactive status, one vacancy
from Benton Harbor Police Department, one resignation from Benton
Township Police Department and one resignation from St. Joseph Police
Department. BCSO TRU anticipates new department team members
and participation from other Memo Of Understanding agencies in 2012.
The TRU began an annual Physical Fitness Test required for its members
based after the United States Army Physical Fitness Test Standard. All
team members met or exceeded the standard.
The TRU acquired a 2011 Lenco Bearcat armored response vehicle through
grant funding. This is one of the most important pieces of equipment
available to law enforcement. It is invaluable as it relates to safety. The
new armored vehicle provides more room and maneuverability along
with better speed, handling, protection and breaching capabilities. Chief Deputy Michael Bradley was
the key instrument through the grant process and continues to provide solutions to meet the demands
of the TRU team with his Emergency Management expertise.
One training day a month is devoted to DC Cook working with their security force along with the Berrien
County Sheriffs Office Bomb Team and the Michigan State Police Emergency Support Team. The TRU
Team also conducted joint training with the FBI SWAT, BCSO Crisis Negotiator Team and Cass County.
The TRU team participated in the West Michigan Tactical Officers Association Tactical Shoot May 9th,
the National Patrol Rifle Competition June 5th, and the WMTOA Sniper Competition Nov 1st. At the 2011
WMTOA Tactical Shoot, TRU Team member Deputy Trent Babcock and Officer Robert Plane together
took first place in stage 3. Deputies Soulard and Duthler took 2nd place in stage 5 (missed 1st by 2 sec.).
A last minute entry of Lt. Jewell and Michigan State Police assistant team leader Mic Benjamin took 1st
runner up overall. �On June 5th at the National Patrol Rifle Conference,
TRU team member Deputy Ian Dodd took 1st place in his division (Iron
Sites) out of 27 competitors from all over east and Midwest USA. Deputy
Dodd ranked 20th overall out of 122 participants. Deputy Dodd won a
Colt AR-15 for his efforts.
Sgt. Margherone also competed ranking 13th in his division out of 65
competitors and 25th overall. (Optics)
In the WMTOA Sniper Competition, out of 35 teams, TRU Sniper (BHPD)
Officer Robert Plane took 4th place overall and the rest of the TRU sniper
team placed in the upper percentile. This includes 2 new snipers who just
completed basic school a month earlier.
The TRU is dedicated to cooperation and joint training with outside
agencies. The TRU participated in training with the FBI SWAT and MSP ES
also conducting a joint operation with MSP ES Team. The TRU anticipates
this will continue and broaden throughout 2012.
40
Tactical Response Unit cont.
TACTICAL RESPONSE UNIT ACTIVATIONS
January 18
Assist to Berrien County Narcotics Unit, high risk search warrant
April 15
May 7
Assist to Benton Harbor, special operation
May 11
BCSD Sovereign Citizen Extremists, high risk operation
May 18
Assist to Niles Township, barricade
July 22
Assist to BC Detectives, high risk search warrant
August 3
Assist to Berrien County Narcotics Unit/Michigan State Police ESU, high risk search warrant
August 10
Assist to Berrien County Narcotics Unit, high risk search warrant.
October 17
Assist to BTWP PD, barricade
October 31
Assist to BTWP PD, barricade
November 29
TRAINING
January 10
Man/
Hours
104
January 18
120
January 26
40
CRGC sniper element Policy Review/Cold Bore qualifications.
February 3
88
TRU annual operational tasks (classroom portion) FN303 less lethal,
TACSIGHT thermal imager, night vision scope, chemical munitions,
noise flash diversionary devices, specialty impact munitions
February 11
80
Annual DC Cook nantel access badge re-certification/BCSD EOC
March 8
88
Kalamazoo FBI SWAT S/A’s Mark Waldvogel and Rick Alzner
provided training in Close Quarter Battle and Hostage Rescue
tactics. Training consisted of classroom powerpoint and discussion.
Practicum was conducted at the Coloma Rod and Gun Club
utilizing the TRU team live-fire house. Full team breach and
execution of entry with simulated NFDD. Comm coordination to
include sniper initiated entry.
March 22
24
Mobile Field Force for BCSO members
March 24
96
DC Cook/AEP building Buchanan TRU/CNT operation training
March 30
18
Mobile Field Force for BCSO members
April 1
32
CRGC MO training drills/quals
April 5
40
April 6
40
April 9
50
April 13
48
April 18
104
April 26
120
April 27
8
Lt. Jamie Zehm attended Active Shooter training at Froeble High
School, Muskegon, Michigan
May 9
120
South Kent Sportsman’s Club, Dorr, Michigan -annual WMTOA
Tactical Shoot
Date
Training Location/Objective
CRGC cold weather qualifications/live fire house, HR entries
DC Cook/MSP ES fire protection walk down. TRU team site survey
outer PA buildings
Host Patrol Response to Active Shooter at New Buffalo High School,
17 students
Host Patrol Response to Active Shooter at New Buffalo High School,
15 students
Deputy Sean Soulard attended Police Sniper Instructor school
at Camp Grayling, certifying him as an in house WMTOA pool
instructor
TRU new member candidate processing (3). BCSD Training Facility/
CRGC
Range: Annual PFT/rifle qualifications
DC Cook/MSP ES/MSP EOD/BCSD EOD/TRU IED mitigation/counter
sniper OCA range facility
41
Tactical Response Unit cont.
TRAINING cont.
June 2
Man/
Hours
12
June 5
48
Deputies Margherone and Ian Dodd attended National Patrol
Rifle Competition and Conference in Troy, Michigan
June 6
88
CRGC MP5 / Handgun qualifier. Specialty Impact Q.
June 22
96
June 30
96
July 25
104
August 2
104
DC Cook / MSP ES / TRU-suspicious sit. response scenario’s off
to on site operations
Stover Training Facility: Team Equipment Inventory Shotgun
Drills at CRGC
DC Cook / MSP ES / TRU: BC Sportsman’s club Integrated team
firearms exercises
LTFD training house. Joint training with BCSO and CCSO CNT
operators. Scenario based exercises
August 18
96
September 12
96
Date
September 19-23
120
September 28
120
October 6
120
October 7
120
October 14
48
200
120
40
104
120
104
104
October 24-28
October 31
November 1
November 8
November 16
December 19
December 27
TOTAL
Training Location/Objective
Basic MP5 course for new team members
CRGC Firearms qualifier / drills
In-Service LENCO Armored vehicle operations MILO system
demonstration
Dep. Dyer, Frantz and Sullivan attended Basic SWAT school at
Camp Grayling, MI
DC Cook / MSP ES / TRU: BC Sportsman’s club Integrated team
firearms exercises
Fort Custer Training Center, Augusta MI Chemical Munitions,
Night operations, NFDD
Fort Custer Training Center, Augusta MI Chemical Munitions,
Night operations, NFDD
CRGC MO qualifiers, drills
Basic Sniper School, Holland PD WMTOA
Haz-mat Ops / SCBA
WMTOA Sniper Competition, South Kent SC
Buchanan, Aban housing. Tactical Entries / Breaching
DC Cook Rad Worker Training / Anti-C Dress out
Eau Claire, Residential Tactical Entries / Perimeter
DC Cook Fire Protection walk down of PA
3,280
Mobile Field Force Training
The Tactical Response Unit conducted the annual Mobile Field Force Training for the Sheriff’s Office.
Divisions participating were the Patrol/Enforcement, Jail and Reserve Units. The Mobile Field Force
Training was conducted in three hour sessions and over 342 man hours were utilized.
Patrol Response to an Active Shooter Training
Lt. James Zehm conducted Patrol Response to Active Shooter at New Buffalo High School on April 5th
and 6th, 2011along with seven Tactical Response Unit team members. Lt. Zehm conducted two/four hour
blocks of training with the basic course in the morning and a refresher course in the afternoon. Tactical
Response Unit team members assisted with practicum. Thirty-Two officers from different departments
were trained in the two day period with positive feedback on the training by the participants.
Training Summary
The total number of training hours for this year was 3,280. This includes monthly team training (2672),
Mobile Field Force training (42), and Response to Active Shooter training (88). The average number of
training hours per team member in 2011 was 193 hours. This is consistent with the average training hours
for 2010 which was 209.
42
Crime Prevention
Crime Prevention is the attempt to reduce victimization and to deter crime and
criminals. It is applied specifically to efforts made by governments to reduce
crime, enforce the law, and maintain criminal justice.
Deputy Kelly Laesch, Coordinator of the Crime
Prevention Division attends trainings to stay
abreast of current prevention practices. Her
goal is to share pertinent information with key
community members through various events and
Dep. Laesch
social media tools. Citizens continue to show increased
usage. The Crime Prevention Unit serves citizens through
community partnerships that provide knowledge to choose safe
practices.
Berrien County Sheriff's Department
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ZIP TIPS
ZIP TIPS is a Crime Prevention tool for citizens in Berrien County communities
that want to know current and correct information about possible crimes or
criminal activities occurring in their neighborhood. Select your ZIP code for current information.
EMPLOYMENT
HISTORY OF BCSD
BARODA - 49101
BENTON HARBOR - 49022
JAIL INFORMATION
KID'S SPACE
LINKS
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
MISSING/COLD CASES
BERRIEN CENTER - 49102
BERRIEN SPRINGS - 49103
The
Berrien
County
Sheriff's Office would
like to know about
area criminal activity.
If you have
information about a
criminal activity,
please use our Tip
Form.
BRIDGMAN - 49106
BUCHANAN - 49107
<< March >>
2012
S M T W T F S
COLOMA - 49038
PRESS RELEASES
EAU CLAIRE - 49111
VOLUNTEER
GALIEN - 49113
ZIP TIPS
01/01/11 Berrien County
Sheriff's Tip Form
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
GRAND BEACH - 49117
HAGAR SHORE - 49039
HARBERT - 49115
LAKESIDE - 49116
NILES - 49120
If I see a strange
vehicle or person
at my neighbor's
house, and I know
my neighbors are
not home
RIVERSIDE - 49084
 I will make a




mental note of it.
NEW BUFFALO - 49117
NEW TROY - 49119
 I will write




down the
information just in
case.
ST. JOSEPH - 49085
SAWYER - 49125
SODUS - 49126
 I will call my




neighbor.
STEVENSVILLE - 49127
www.bcsheriff.org
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Neighborhood Watch (NHW) is a long standing
program and is very useful no matter how small
or large your neighborhood. The NHW program
specializes in assisting community members
interested in starting the program. It provides
organization, purpose and tips to create a
successful NHW program. Deputy Laesch
facilitates Neighborhood Watch meetings
for people interested and has started four new NHW programs as well as
supporting existing ones.
PROJECT LIFESAVER
Project Lifesaver is a rapid response partnership with law enforcement that
aids victims suffering from Alzheimer’s and other similar mental impairments.
Clients on the Project Lifesaver program are unaware of the situation
and become an emergency when they wander away. Clients wear a
personalized wrist or ankle band that emits a tracking signal. Caregivers
notify the local Project Lifesaver Agency (Berrien County Sheriff’s Office)
when a client is missing. A search and rescue team responds to the call and
starts an immediate search with a mobile locator tracking system, reducing
search times from hours and days to minutes. The Project Lifesaver program
is overseen by Berrien County TRIAD and monthly equipment checks are
conducted by Deputy Laesch. The Project Lifesaver Program is funded
through donations, fundraisers and client participation fees.
43
 I will call the




police.
THREE OAKS - 49128
 I will contact




my Neighbor Hood
Watch.
UNION PIER - 49129
WATERVLIET - 49098
Please contact Michiana Crime Stoppers with any information you have of possible
crime in your area. You will be given a code number and they won't ask your
name. Anyone who provides Crime Stoppers with information that leads to the
arrest or indictment of a felony suspect, the location of a felony fugitive, or the
recovery of stolen property will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000.
 I am busy, I do




not want to get
involved.
 Other.




Vote
(800) 342-STOP, (574) 288-STOP or submit a Web Tip Copyright 2009 Berrien County Sheriff's Department
http://www.bcsheriff.org/?dept=44&pid=1023
3/5/2012
Crime Prevention cont.
TRIAD (The Right Information And Direction)
seeks to reduce the victimization of older citizens and enhance the delivery of law
enforcement services to this population. There are many community members
and agencies involved in TRIAD that work together to address the different issues
facing older citizens. TRIAD has been working to formulate an Elder Abuse Task
Force protocol. This protocol will provide pertinent information and training for
caregivers, service agency employees and law enforcement officers on how
to increase awareness, identify and report elder abuse cases. We encourage
adult volunteers to attend the monthly TRIAD meetings and support local Senior
Centers.
SHERIFF’S KID’S CAMP
The Sheriff Kids’ Camp is a community favorite and one of the most
energetic events sponsored by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office.
Approximately forty children throughout the county participated.
The camp provides knowledge about social skills, personal safety
and law enforcement. This year we had the privilege of adding
Andrews University as a new element to the camp who provided
a tour of their dairy farm, climbing wall and flight simulator. The
University also gave each participant a t-shirt, pencils, stickers and a
University pendant flag. Camp registration fees support the Berrien
County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Cadet Program and the Explorers
serve as camp counselors. Several law enforcement agencies
provide officers to assist with the camp and be advisors. Forms for
the 2012 Kid’s Camp can be found on the Berrien County website:
bcsheriff.org
BERRIEN COUNTY YOUTH FAIR
The Berrien County Youth Fair provides the Sheriff’s Office a great opportunity
to have face to face contact with all ages of people. The fair booth displays
a variety of educational materials and items related to law enforcement.
This year we were given the opportunity to move to a new location on
the fairgrounds. Our location was in the center of the fair next to the fire
station. We had lots of traffic and on Kids Day we handed out over 2000
stickers, more than we have handed out in a single week in past years. We
appreciated the Berrien County Youth Fair for providing us with such a great
location and look forward to many successful years.
44
Crime Prevention cont.
SAFETY PUP, MCGRUFF AND FRIENDS
The Sheriff’s friends enjoy attending
parades,
community
events
and
presenting safety tips. They emphasize the
importance of safety to young people
and are available upon request.
CAR SEAT SAFETY
A grant from the Office of Highway Safety Planning
(OHSP) was received by Baroda Lake Township Police
Department. Baroda Lake Township, Buchanan Police
Department and Deputy Laesch conducted car
seat inspection in the fall. Fifteen families were given
proper CPS information and 20 child passenger seats
were distributed. The additional seats were donated to
Lakeland Hospital and Berrien County residents.
COUNTY COLLABORATIONS:
Student Personal Safety & RAD Training
Andrews University
Home Visit Training & Elder Abuse Awareness
Area Agency on Aging
Personal and Work Safety Presentation
Berrien County Clerk’s Association
OHSP Grant for GEM Car - Alcohol Awareness
Berrien Springs Oronoko Township
Home Visit Training & Elder Abuse Awareness
Department of Human Services
New Home Owner Safety Tips
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity
Health Department Hazardous Waste
Prescription Drug Disposal
Lakeland Hospital and YMCA
Babysitting Clinics
Michigan Department of Works
Citizenship Presentation
CRIME PREVENTION AFFILIATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS
Full Moon Advertising
Wal-Mart
West Michigan Crime
Prevention Association
GRANTS/GIFTS AWARDED
Free monthly Crime
Prevention Article
$50.00 Gift Card
$400.00 Grant
American Heart Association CPR Instructor Certification
Crime Prevention Association of Michigan
National Crime Prevention Council
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Certified
Child Passenger Seat Technician
RAD (Rape/Aggression/Defense) Instructor Certification
West Michigan Crime Prevention Association
CRIME PREVENTION HIGHLIGHTS IN 2011
Increased county business and agency collaboration and awareness presentations
Over 200+ pounds of prescription drugs were collected for proper disposal
Over 150 used cell phones were collected in the 911 Cell Phone Bank in return for refurbished cell phones to be distributed to
seniors or victims of domestic violence for emergencies
Participated in over 350 county events
45
Explorer Post 602
Explorer Post 602 has been operational at the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office for over 30 years. The
program is sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 96 and hosted by the Berrien County
Sheriff’s Office. The Explorers program is overseen by “Learning for Life” which also sponsors the Boy
Scouts of America, as well as the Girl Scouts of America. The Law Enforcement Explorers program gives
young people between the ages of 11-13, (Junior Cadet) and ages 14-20, (Explorers) an opportunity to
learn about what is entailed as a law enforcement officer. They learn about serving others, becoming
leaders and being responsible individuals. This is done through career development training and life
experiences. The goal of the program is to see the young people achieve
their full potential. The Advisors for the program in 2011 were Deputy
Jason Long, Deputy Kelly Laesch, Reserve Deputy Clint Mettler and
Reserve Deputy Bob Faapouli.
The Explorer attend monthly meetings and participate in several events
throughout the year. In February they assisted with an event at Point Blank
Shooting Range for “Fighting Crime, Fighting Cancer”. They were also on
location for the “Baroda Festival” which was in June. Later in that same
month the Explorers were side by side with Sheriff’s Deputies and other
Law Enforcement personnel for the “Sheriff’s Kids Camp” at the Berrien
County Fair Grounds.
In July the Explorers assisted with traffic control at the Venetian Festival. These are just a few events that
the Explorers worked and assisted. They worked a total of 30 Events in the community. Our Explorers
volunteered 1,302 hours of service to the community.
Five Explorers will be receiving the “Presidents Volunteer Award” for completing 100 hours of community
service. This is a nationally recognized award and is based on total hours of volunteerism each year, as
well as the individual’s age. The Explores program basically shows them the importance of “Service” and
how to contribute to society and to build them to become leaders. Also this year Damon Christopher
was selected as Explorer of the year.
Captain Devontae Hureskin, Lieutenant Hannah Salvati and Sergeant Christian Campbell represented
the Explorer Post 602 at the St. Louis Explorer Training Academy this past year on June 24th – June 30th
in St. Louis, Missouri. Explorers from across the country came together and discovered the importance
of team work and pushing yourself to accomplish any goal that you set your mind to. This training is
offered every odd year which the Sheriff sends Explorers to attend. On every even year a group of
Explorers who have proven themselves through hard work and participation are selected to represent
Post 602 in the national competition, which will be held in 2012. To prepare the Explorers, the advisors
will present scenarios pertaining to law enforcement and will grade each individual on how they have
handled different situations as if they were actual Officers of the Law.
46
Victim Services Unit
This past year the Victim Services Unit (VSU) served 233 co-victims and
authorities as they worked through the trauma they faced. In addition,
VSU supplied 82 victims of burglaries with folders containing information on
how to secure property against breaking and entering.
The Victim Service Unit has established some important partnerships this
year. VSU was invited to participate in D.C. Cook’s Emergency Plan Drill
and fifteen of the VSU members volunteered to take part in this important
exercise. Under the leadership of Sheriff L. Paul Bailey and Captain Cory
Burks, they underwent initial REP training, then event practice, followed by
a graded exercise judged by FEMA. Reports back from FEMA indicate that
VSU did very well and, as a result, they will be involved in the exercise on an
annual basis.
VSU has partnered with the Berrien County Parks Department
to provide short term crisis intervention in the event of drowning
and other traumatic incidents anywhere in the County Park
system. VSU requests are now part of the Parks Department
emergency protocol and VSU Volunteers will be used to serve
Park attendees, Park personnel and also the young Life Guards,
who would be greatly affected by such a traumatic experience.
In addition, VSU has partnered with the Sheriff’s Office Crime
Prevention Unit to work with people who have been the victims
of breaking and entering. Using case records, they study each incident and send out a folder full of
prevention information. They follow up with a phone call to see if the victim would be interested in
a free, on-site, prevention survey. If the victim agrees, an appointment will be made and two VSU
volunteers will perform the survey with the homeowner.
VSU is also helping to reinvigorate the Neighborhood Watch program through its partnership with
the Crime Prevention Unit. As part of the B & E follow up, they will suggest starting, or restarting, a
Neighborhood Watch program, which would be administered by the Crime Prevention Unit. VSU
members attended a special Neighborhood Watch Training Conference in May and received training
certification in the program.
VSU volunteers are available to any Police Department, Fire Department, Medical Authoritys and
individuals in the county. In addition to working with the Sheriff’s Deputies, they have been requested
by the St. Joseph Township Police, Bridgman Police
Department, Chikaming Township Police, New Buffalo
City Police, Eau Claire Police, Buchanan Police and the
Niles Fire Department. They’ve assisted the Michigan
State Police as well.
Victim Services holds monthly meetings to update
members on program updates, procedures and business
issues, plus debriefings and discussions regarding call out
requests. This meeting offers continuous information,
support and training for members.
47
Volunteer Chaplains
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Volunteer Chaplain Corps is a current team of nine licensed and
ordained ministers who are located throughout Berrien County.
Sheriff Chaplains have undergone additional training to serve officers, other employees and volunteers
of Berrien County through: providing pastoral care, support, and crisis intervention. Berrien County
Volunteer Chaplains also: deliver death notifications, assist with other emergencies, support victims
of accidents and crimes, as well as any other instance where Berrien County officers or command
personnel believe that a Chaplain could be of assistance.
2011 was a year of change for the Volunteer Chaplain Corp. Chaplain Price passed away and Chaplain
Cardy retired but three new Chaplains were added to the unit, Randy Johnson, Dan Smith and Wayne
Shearier.
Also during the year the volunteer chaplains ministered to Berrien County Sheriff’s Department officers
and families totaling 116 hours and 121 hours riding with Berrien County Sheriff’s Office patrol officers.
TRAINING
HOURS
American Police Chaplains Association/Chaplains
Training Academy
32
UMBC-Grief Following Trauma
208
Miscellaneous Training
48
CALL-OUTS
7 Motor Vehicle (accidents/fatals)
11 Deaths (including 6 suicides)
3 Death Notifications
Honor Guard
In 2011, the Honor Guard welcomed four new team members
appointed by the Sheriff to the veteran six presently serving. The men
and women of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard are
selected from all divisions and units of the department. The Honor
Guard’s goal is to honor those officers fallen in the line of duty and
pay respect upon the deaths of retired officers. The Honor Guard
represents the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, its officers and families
at police funerals, parades and other ceremonial occasions. The
Honor Guard duties are often called upon on short notice, and
all members of the Honor Guard serve without compensation.
This year the United States marked the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11/2001. A memorial
service was presented by Peace Lutheran Church of St. Joseph. At this service the Honor Guard had
the privilege of meeting and working with retired New York Police Department Detective John Barreiro,
who worked tirelessly for four and a half months at Ground Zero.
Local firefighters also joined in the event, and the Red Cross presented a piece of beam from one of
the World Trade Center towers. This was an inspiring example of how our community’s bravest and
best came together to lead in remembering and moving forward with resolve.In the fall of 2011, two
team members attended the week-long Goshen Honor Guard School in Indiana, which has gained
national recognition for their high standards of training and superior caliber instructors. Skills in presenting
colors, working with other agencies, flag folding, marching and formation, rifle salute protocol, and
even methods of caring for grieving families were emphasized. The team members graduated with
a heightened sense of duty and have passed their knowledge on to the rest of the team. The Honor
Guard Team hopes to send two deputies each year until the entire team has gone through the training.
The Honor Guard was greatly appreciative for the anonymous donations received which was used to
cover the cost of purchasing new uniforms. We are very grateful to the donors for their generosity and
pledge to wear the uniforms with pride.
48
Mounted Division
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Division remains dedicated to the citizens of Berrien County.
�This year the Mounted Division logged in a total of 3,514 volunteer hours.
Breakdown of Volunteer Hours
Events (Parades, Security, & Community Relations)
1,701
Road Patrol / Jail
58
Administrative (Meetings & Departmental Assistance)
1,003
Training
752
TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS
3,514
Lt. Tom Fogarty, Cpt. Phil Place, Sheriff Bailey
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Division participated
in many parades throughout Berrien County in 2011.
Parades
Baroda Parade
Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade
Bridgman Parade
Buchanan Parade
Coloma Glad-Peach Festival Parade
As in years past, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Mounted
Division also participated in many local events and special
security details.
Events/Security Details
American Cancer Society – Relay for Life
Galien Pioneer Days Parade
Berrien Co. Sheriff’s Dept. Kids Camp
Niles Apple Festival Parade
Berrien County Youth Fair
Three Oaks Flag Day Parade
Blossomtime Blessing of the Blossoms
This year the Mounted Division had a change in command
staff. After many years of service, Captain Phil Place stepped
down and Lieutenant JoAnn Ertman was appointed to the
position of Captain of the Mounted Division.
Blossomtime Fashion Show
In April, the Fifth Annual Berrien County Sheriff’s Office
Mounted Division “Spring Fling”
Horse Show took place.
The
money that was raised from
the horse show assisted in
the purchase of additional
officer’s safety equipment as
well as additional equine safety
equipment.
Lane Automotive Car Show
Blossomtime King Pageant
Blossomtime Queen Pageant
Chapel Hill Arts & Crafts Show
Lest We Forget
National Night Out Against Crime
Senior Center Expo
Stuff-A-Truck Food Drive
Toys for Tots
Venetian Festival
The Mounted Division once again participated in the
‘Coats for Kids Program’. Eighty sets of hats, gloves,
and scarves were distributed to Berrien County-area
elementary schools children.
Each year the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Division chooses a
Mounted Officer of the Year. This individual is selected by his/her peers as
being the officer who goes above and beyond the call of duty, not only with
respect to law enforcement but also with the day-to-day tasks that make
the Mounted Division efficient. This year the award went to Mounted Officer
Captain JoAnn Ertman.
49
Cpt. Ertman
Emergency
Management
In 2011, Emergency Management continued working with
Homeland Security Grants. Grants currently active are the
2009 Regional Homeland Security Grant, the 2009 Citizens
Emergency Response Team (CERT), 2009 Interoperable
Emergency Communications Grant Program (IECGP),
and the 2008 Regional Homeland Security Grant.
In 2011, Emergency Management was able to purchase a
new armored vehicle for the Tactical Response Unit using
Homeland Security Grant funds. This armored vehicle, a
LENCO Bearcat, was delivered in August and can be used
DC Cook Drill
to respond to hostage situations, high risk apprehensions
and many other high risk/threatening circumstances. Total
cost of this vehicle was $275,235.00. Memos of Understanding were signed with Cass and Van Buren
Counties for special team response upon request should it be needed in our neighboring counties.
Utilizing the 2009 IECGP, Berrien County received 800 MHz radios which helps lessen the gap in county
communications as identified in our 5th District’s Regional Gap Analysis.
First Responders were able to attend trainings in Grand Rapids and Traverse City with the use of the 2008
and 2009 Homeland Security Training Grants.From May 3rd – 5th, 11 first responders from various agencies
attended the Homeland Security Training Conference in Grand Rapids, designated “Never Forget”.
The Michigan Emergency Management Association Summit held October 9th to the 12thin Traverse City,
was attended by nine first responders. MEMA’s Summit theme was “Back To Basics”.
With the 2009 CERT grant, two communities were able to build CERT teams that can assist first responders
with minor responses such as shutting off gas lines to homes, first aid, proper use of a fire extinguisher,
and more training such as this. The two communities were Buchanan Township, which graduated
16 students in November and Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township that graduated 10 students in May.
Berrien County was also able to purchase a second Quick Shelter for use by the CERT teams utilizing the
CERT grant.
On March 24, our office, along with the National
Weather Service (NWS) and the Berrien Amateur
Radio Emergency Services (B.A.R.E.S.) hosted its
bi-annual severe weather spotter training at Lake
Charter Township Hall in Bridgman. This training was
attended by well over 150 people. In total 164 citizens
from many areas of Berrien County, including amateur
radio operators attended. This training teaches you to
become a storm spotter and assist the NWS with reports
of severe weather.
DC Cook Drill L to R: Gayle Bassett,Bonnie Sheffield - FEMA
Evaluator, Sgt. Bush, Cpt. Burks, Sgt. Corteville
50
Severe weather was definitely an issue for us in 2011 with three major storms
coming through the area. In May, horrendous winds came through the
southern portion of Berrien County causing many trees to be uprooted
along with flooding. On July 11th we encountered a severe thunderstorm
that caused major damage throughout Berrien County and surrounding
areas. Thousands were without power for up to five days. The third storm
that damaged our area was actually two individual storms on August 7th.
One area affected was Hagar Township and the other was the Village of
Stevensville and Lincoln & Royalton Townships.
This year also saw some changes in personnel to Emergency Management.
In July, a great loss was felt with the retirement of Sgt. Chris Corteville. Chris
Sgt. Chris Corteville
retired to sunny Sarasota, Florida with his wife
and young son after 25 years of dedicated service to Berrien County.
Stepping into Chris’ Emergency Management Assistant Coordinators
position is Sgt. Ron Bush who had been our Regional Planner since 2005. In
July, Sheriff Bailey hired Deputy Karen Klug as the new Regional Planner for
the 5th District. Karen comes to us with 22 years of service at the Sheriff’s
Department, most recently as a Court Transport Officer. Many recognize
and know Karen from her years of work in Crime Prevention.
Emergency Management is an ever changing department with new rules
and regulations consistently coming at us from FEMA and the NRC. And,
while Berrien County is situated between two Nuclear Power Plants and
our main focus is for the continued safety of operations of these facilities,
we can’t ignore all the other hazards that can present themselves, such
as severe weather, man-made disasters, chemical incidents, flooding, etc.
Berrien County Emergency Management takes an all-hazards approach to
all planning, training and exercising so we are prepared as a whole for the
citizens of Berrien County.
Dep. Klug
On March 1 of this year, we conducted our bi-annual FEMA evaluated exercise
with the D.C. Cook Nuclear Plant. This exercise activated and fully staffed
our Emergency Operations Center and reinforced our first responders working
relationship with each other in a real-time event. Our final evaluation from
Gayle Bassett - EM Secretary
FEMA, received in June, was very complimentary, praising how well prepared
we are and that FEMA continues to think highly of how closely all of the first responders work together
during an event, sharing resources and communicating with each other.
Following is a month-by-month list of all the activities, meetings and events Emergency Management
has participated in during 2011:
January:
1st – D.C. Cook sirens live test
5th – Fire Fighter Association Meeting, Berrien Springs FD
10th – Amateur Radio Members Meeting
11th – REP 101 training for new firefighters
12th – REP 101 training for Public Health Nurses
12th – Rip Tide training conducted by the National Weather Service (NWS)
51
January cont.:
13th – County Commissioners and Administrator given partial tour of
EOC and Empire facility
15th – Berrien County 911 Center assumes responsibility for dispatching of Benton Harbor City/Township
emergency calls.
18th – EOC procedures assembly for all EOC participants for
upcoming D.C. Cook exercise
18th – Local Emergency Planning Meeting
20th – REP 101 training for River Valley school bus drivers
25th – 5th District Regional HS Grant Meeting
25th – REP 101 training for Red Cross volunteers
25th – Fire Chief’s Meeting, Lincoln Township
27th – Tour of EOC for Entergy officials
26th – 28th – REP 101 training to Medic I personnel
Ice storm - Feb 2011
February:
1st – 2nd – Blizzard of 2011
1st – EOC practice drill #1 for D.C. Cook exercise
2nd – REP 101 training for HazMat team
2nd – Fire Fighter Association Meeting, Bertrand Township FD
3rd – County Commissioners and Administrator complete tour of Empire facility and take lunch in EOC
Breakout room
4th – Staff members from John Proos, Fred Upton, Al Pscholka & Sharon Tyler’s office tour EOC and
have safety briefing from EM Coordinator.
4th – Berrien County hosts Chief Elected Officials luncheon at EM’s facility
5th – D.C. Cook sirens live test
7th – Emergency Worker Decon practice #1 for D.C. Cook exercise
7th – Incident Management Team Meeting in Lansing
8th – Meet with new Emergency Management Coordinator for the Berrien County Health Department
and EOC liaison
9th – Public Reception/Decon practice #1 for D.C. Cook exercise
10th – Tour of EOC for Van Buren County Emergency Management officials
15th – EOC practice drill #2 for D.C. Cook exercise
16th – REP/EV II training at River Valley Schools for D.C. Cook exercise
16th – EV II training at Lakeshore Schools for D.C. Cook exercise
16th – Emergency Worker Decon practice #1 for D.C. Cook exercise
17th – Pipeline Safety Awareness and Emergency Response Seminar at LMC Mendel
17th – County Commissioners and Administrator hold Strategic Planning Session at EM’s facility
22nd – 5th District Regional HS Grant Meeting
22nd – EM Coordinator presents CERT program to Rotary Club
23rd – EMNet (Emergency Alerting System) Communications Meeting
24th – REP rules meeting in Lansing
24th – Public Reception/Decon practice #2 for D.C. Cook exercise
24th – County Commissioners and Administrator hold Strategic Planning Session at EM’s facility
28th – EV II FEMA evaluated D.C. Cook exercise at River Valley Schools
28th – EV II FEMA evaluated D.C. Cook exercise at Lakeshore Schools
28th – Congregate Care FEMA evaluated D.C. Cook exercise at Eau Claire High School
28th – Public Reception/Decon FEMA evaluated D.C. Cook exercise at Eau Claire High School
52
March:
1st – EOC FEMA evaluated exercise for D.C. Cook
1st – Emergency Worker Decon FEMA evaluated exercise for D.C.
Cook at Benton Township FD
2nd – Fire Fighter Association Meeting, Bridgman FD
2nd – Regional Communications on Wheels trailer testing conducted
at DC Cook
3rd – Emergency Management activity report to County
DC Cook Drill, March 2011
Commissioners
3rd – County Commissioners and Administrator hold Strategic Planning Session at EM’s facility
4th – Preliminary critique of D.C. Cook exercise from FEMA evaluators
10th – 2012 Senior PGA Tournament Planning Summit with PGA officials
10th – State Interoperable Communication Plan (SICP) Meeting, Lansing
11th – Emergency Planning Summit for Lest We Forget Event
15th – 18th – CAPTAP ACAMS training in Grand Rapids
16th – Fire Chief’s Meeting, Lincoln Township
22nd – 5th District Regional HS Grant Meeting
24th – Regional table-top exercise at WMU Campus
24th – Severe weather spotter training hosted by NWS
29th – CERT program webinar
29th – Tour of EOC to AEP’s fire brigade
30th – Rip Current Workshop, New Buffalo
30th – EMNet (Emergency Alerting System) Communications Meeting
31st – Severe weather table-top exercise for government officials and first responders, Oronoko Township
April:
1st – Emergency Response Preplanning meeting for Lane Automotive Car Event
2nd – D.C. Cook sirens live test for 3 minutes
5th – SICP Meeting in Lansing
5th – 6th – EM Coordinator attends Event Security Training
6th – Fire Fighter’s Association Meeting, Berrien Springs FD
12th – 13th – NIMS ICS-300 course taught to 32 attendees
12th – 5th District Medical Response Coalition Meeting
13th – Lest We Forget Event planning meeting
14th – New D.C. Cook Plant EOC representative tours EOC
14th – 5th District Interoperable Communications Committee meeting
15th – Training of 911 dispatchers on new EAS system begins
Wind Storm (St. Joseph) Sept 2011
20th – Public Awareness presentation given at 1st Congregational Church of God
21st – Large event planning meeting at Andrews University for Passion Play
28th – EM Assistant Coord. Takes ISO training 26th – 27th – NIMS ICS-400 course taught to 31 attendees
26th – 5th District Regional HS Grant Board Meeting
28th – Riptide Safety Awareness seminar
28th – EM Assistant Coord. Takes ISO training
53
May:
2nd – Amateur Radio Members Meeting
2nd – Special Event Planning meeting for Blossom Parade
3rd – 5th – Homeland Security Training Conference, Grand Rapids
4th – Fire Fighter’s Association Meeting, Buchanan Township FD
6th – Security Planning meeting for Blossom Parade
16th - 2012 Senior PGA Tournament Planning Summit with PGA officials and local responders
18th – Fire Chief’s Meeting, Lincoln Township FD
21st – Andrew’s University CERT class graduates
26th – Special Event Planning meeting for Buchanan Truck Rally
31st – EMNet (Emergency Alerting System) Communications Meeting
June:
1st – Fire Fighter’s Association Meeting, Chikaming Township FD
2nd – Participate in Mock Drowning Drill at Silver Beach in SJ.
Storm (Krieger Rd) - May 2011
8th – 9th – Berrien County experiences severe storms
15th – CIKR Planning Meeting at Allegan County EOC
17th – Special Event Planning meeting for Red Bud Track & Trail 4th
of July race
20th – Emergency Planning Conference at Lakeland in Niles
21st – Local Emergency Planning Meeting
21st – Conference with Van Buren County for Security Planning of
opening Hartford Casino
22nd – D.C. Cook medical exercise conducted at Lakeland, Niles
22nd – Attended Extremist Group Seminar at KVCC
Storm (US 12) - May 2011
23rd – 5th District Interoperable Communications Committee meeting
24th – E-Team training session
27th – 29th – REP conference attended in Big Rapids
30th – 2012 Senior PGA Tournament Planning Summit with PGA officials and local responders
Storm (M 63 Hagar Twp) - July 2011
Storm (Paw Paw Lake Rd, Coloma) - July 2011
54
Storm (Red Bud Trail, Buchanan) - July 2011
July:
2nd – 2012 Senior PGA Tournament Planning Summit with PGA officials
and local responders
2nd – D.C. Cook sirens live test
6th – Fire Fighter’s Association Meeting, Bertrand Township FD
6th – Safety presentation given at Missionary Church in Berrien Springs
7th – Emergency Management activity report to County Commissioners
7th – Special Event Planning for Venetian Festival
11th – Severe thunderstorms pound Berrien County and surrounding areas
Tanker Explosion, Sawyer - July 2011
12th – REP 101 training for Lakeland, St. Joseph
12th – Table-top exercise at D.C. Cook
13th – MS-1 practice, Lakeland, Niles
16th – All-hazard weather radio programming day held @ Martin’s in Niles
20th – D.C. Cook medical evaluated drill, Niles
20th – Fire Chief’s Meeting, Lincoln Township FD
20th – Severe Weather table-top exercise for Berrien County Youth Fair
volunteers and first responders
21st – Tanker explosion at T.A. Truck Stop in Sawyer
27th – Drill with Entergy Corp.
28th – Local fire departments participated in statewide MABAS (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System) drill
August:
1st – Special Event Planning for Boys & Girls Club 1st Tee Golf Clinic @ Harbor Shores
2nd – Severe storms cause thousands to be without power again with wind gusts up to 59 mph
3rd – Fire Fighter’s Association Meeting, Berrien Springs Fairgrounds
3rd – Red Cross Disaster Group Meeting @ Chapter House
7th – Berrien County receives significant damage from two severe storms. The first one in northern
Berrien County in the morning and then in Lincoln & Royalton Townships in the afternoon.
th
8 – Amateur Radio Members Meeting
8th – 1st Tee Golf Clinic with Tom Watson at Harbor Shores
9th – Unusual Event at Palisades (Entergy) due to pump failure
10th – Hartford Casino Grand Opening Event Security & Logistics Planning
11th – 5th District Regional SWAT Meeting
16th – Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting
18th – REP 101 training, Lakeland ER staff, St. Joseph
Storm - August 2011
55
August cont.
23rd – Unusual Event at both Palisades and D.C. Cook due to earthquake in Virginia being felt locally
23rd – 5th District Regional HS Grant Board Meeting
29th – 31st – Boil water order for Benton Harbor, Benton Township, and Hagar Township after a water
main break
30th – Grand Opening of new Four Winds Casino in Hartford
September:
3rd – D.C. Cook sirens live test
7th – Unusual Event at D.C. Cook due to Unit 1 mechanical failure shut
down
7th – Fire Fighter’s Association Meeting, Lake Township Hall
7th – Newly appointed local Red Cross Director, Red Cross Regional
Director and C.O.O of the American Red Cross tour EOC and meet
Emergency Management staff
13th – 5th District Medical Response Coalition
16th – Unusual Event at Palisades caused by a leaking valve
19th – After Action Review of response to tanker explosion that occurred 7/21
20th – “Partners in Pipeline” presentation by Wolverine Pipe Line Company
21st – Fire Chief’s Meeting, Lincoln Township FD
25th – Emergency shutdown at Palisades as a result of a circuit breaker fault
29th – 2012 Senior PGA Tournament Planning Summit with PGA officials and
local responders
30th – FEMA IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert Warning System) Webinar
Windstorm , St. Joseph - Sept. 2011
October:
1st – D.C. Cook sirens live test
5th – Fire Fighter’s Association Meeting, Eau Claire FD
7th – Red Cross Re-organizational meeting
10th – 12th – MEMA Summit, Traverse City
19th – IS-100 and IS-200 NIMS courses taught to Berrien County
Reserves class
23rd – IS-100 and IS-200 NIMS courses taught to new Berrien County
Firefighters
24th – 27th – EM Assistant Coord.receives COM-L training in Lansing
24th – 5th District Regional CERT program meeting
26th – Decontamination Planning meeting, Lakeland, Niles
26th – Tour of EOC for Dr. Burnett’s class at Andrews University
28th – D.C. Cook Planning Meeting
56
November:
2nd – Fire Fighter’s Association Meeting, Galien FD
2nd – Palisades drill
3rd – Emergency Management activity report to County Commissioners
3rd – EM Asst. Coord.meeting with Regional Bomb Planner
8th – “How to Complete an ACJ” Training in Kalamazoo
8th – REP Program Webinar
9th – Nationwide EAS (Emergency Alert System) Test conducted
15th – 10 car pile-up on by-pass from dense fog
29th – Dec. 3rd – Boil water order issued for Watervliet City due to water main break
29th – Webcast with FEMA and IPAWS for review of Nationwide EAS test
December:
3rd – D.C. Cook sirens live test
7th – Continuity of Operations (COOP) Meeting
7th – Fire Fighter’s Association Meeting, Lake Township FD
7th – IS-100 NIMS course given to Buchanan Township CERT class
8th – 5th District Regional SWAT meeting
9th – Full-Scale exercise at all three Lakeland Hospitals
15th – E-team training given to neighboring county first responders
16th – TSA exercise at Tank Town, Niles
20th – EAL training from D.C. Cook Emergency Planner
Sgt. Sutherland and Sgt. Bush - Training
57
Conclusion
Throughout this year, many men and women have worked hard to develop the Berrien County Sheriffs
Office into a professional and effective full service law enforcement organization.
I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every employee for their continued dedication to
this department and the citizens we serve. Thank you for your hard work and positive efforts as we work
together to improve our working relationships with one another and also with local law enforcement
within our county.
In a time of financial challenges not only for our county but for the entire state, we face many changes.
Because of your perseverance and loyalty to the oath you uphold, I am confident that we will enter
2012 in full force. We will continue to meet the challenges of the future with training and enhancement
of the skills and abilities of our staff.
I can ensure you that the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to service and performances of
our goals in pursuit of excellence to better serve and protect the community.
58
Berrien County Printing

Berrien County Sheriff`s Department

Transcription

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