Proudly Serving Since 1951 2011 ANNUAL REPORT 60 Years of Dedicated Service
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Message from the Chief 1 Department Photographs 2-5 Organizational Chart 6 Budget Report 7 Community Service 8-9 Citizen Volunteers 10 Citizen s Police Academy 11-12 Criminal Activity 13 Reported Crime 14 Crime Statistics 15 Patrol Division 16-18 Police Training 19 Citizen Feedback 20-21 Officers at Work 22-24 Traffic Unit Enforcement 25 Motor Vehicle Crashes 26-27 Investigations 28 Forfeiture Report 28 Use of Force 30 Support Services 31-32 Community Service Officers 33 Administration 34-35 Retirements 36-37 Employee History 38 2
MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF Dear Council Members and Merriam Citizens, For some, sixty years is a long time. However, for the history of a city and a police department this may not seem like a long time, if you put it in perspective of our great nation s history. For the members of the Merriam Police Department, sixty years is a big number and we wanted to recognize the efforts of all the officers preceding us. Therefore, we have included the photographs on the front cover that include members of the Merriam Police Department in 1967; this was the oldest group photo we could find. Also on the front cover is the most current group photograph of our department taken in December at Chief Bill Lietzke s retirement reception. Our annual report document has evolved over the years. During the past few years the reports have contained much more than just information related to our department s activity and calls for service. We have included our department s commitment to the community through volunteerism, Citizen s Police Academy training, and a sampling of letters provided by citizens to our officers for excellent service. Additionally, this year we included two significant retirements from our police department: Chief Bill Lietzke, after thirty-two years of dedicated service, and Sergeant Dan Kellerman, after twenty-seven years of dedicated service. Their years of knowledge and service to the community will be missed by all. As you read this report, 2011 was another active year for the police department. Our calls for service were down slightly along with reported crimes and Part One crimes. As a result the officers had more free time which enabled them to increase their self-initiated activity. This overall high level of activity again shows the professionalism of our officers. In an effort to better document the diversity of our calls for service we include the Officers at Work section. We encourage you to read these pages to understand the difficult situations our officers face on a daily basis and we should never underestimate the dangers associated with this profession. Our officers maintain quality standards while providing excellent service to our citizens and the community we serve. We are very proud of the fact that our current police staffing is one of the most educated group of officers to wear the Merriam Police uniform. Sixty percent of our officers have four-year college degrees and two officers have graduate degrees! Throughout our short history the Merriam Police Department has been a fun, interesting, and very active police department to work for. Numerous officers have worked here through the years and now we have a growing list of officers that dedicated over twenty years and retired from our department. For those officers and the knowledge and experience they passed on to the newer officers we are thankful. We should always remember the officers that came before us and the legacy they provided to our department. I recently was promoted to Chief of Police and now have the honor of leading a great organization into the future. In addition, I am now the most tenured officer on the department; proudly serving since 1982. In the past thirty years I have witnessed many changes and challenges for our department and the community. Our citizens, the City Council, and our city employees have always stepped up to the challenges facing Merriam and continue to make our city a better place to live and work. We look forward to that cooperation in the future. Sincerely, Chief Tim Burnett 1
DEPARTMENT STAFF Chief William Lietzke Serving Since 1979 Captain Tim Burnett Serving Since 1982 Lieutenant Michael Daniels Serving Since 1987 Lieutenant Darren McLaughlin Serving Since 1989 Sergeant Todd Allen Serving Since 1996 Sergeant Troy Duvanel Serving Since 1995 Sergeant Dan Kellerman Serving Since 1984 Sergeant John Walton Serving Since 1998 Chris Brokaw Serving Since 2001 James Browning Serving Since 2006 Jason Reynolds Serving Since 2000 Jeremiah Waters Serving Since 2003 2
DEPARTMENT STAFF Detective Wes Waller Serving Since 2005 Detective Steven Wechsler Serving Since 2006 Detective Nick Weiler Serving Since 2005 Master Larry Birt Serving Since 1988 Master John DeMoss Serving Since 2003 Master Gerry Eickhoff Serving Since 1991 Master Phil Lewis Serving Since 2002 Master Mark Messbarger Serving Since 2001 3
DEPARTMENT STAFF Jeffrey Dixon Serving Since 2011 Tim Filson Serving Since 2006 Corey Herron Serving Since 2009 Roxanne Kegin Serving Since 2009 Jeff Magee Serving Since 1987 Seth Mullis Serving Since 2010 Laura Naegele Serving Since 2010 Todd Sparks Serving Since 1990 Cara Stock Serving Since 2011 4
DEPARTMENT STAFF Community Service Officer Jamie Gilchrist Serving Since 2009 Community Service Officer Charlie Yocum Serving Since 2009 Records Clerk Lisa Aldrich Serving Since 1991 Records Clerk Ronda Brumbaugh Serving Since 1999 Records Clerk Karen Gibson Serving Since 1993 Crossing Guard Doris Hillhouse Serving Since 2002 Crossing Guard Cynthia Knapp Serving Since 1997 Crossing Guard Dave Thomas Serving Since 2009 5
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART Chief of Police Captain Investigative Lieutenant Administrative Lieutenant Shift 1 Sergeant Shift 2 Sergeant Shift 3 Sergeant Detectives (3) Community Service Officers (2) Records Clerks (3) Relief Property Clerk Patrol Officers (3) Patrol Officers (4) Patrol Officers (5) Crossing Guards (3) Traffic Officer Traffic Officer Manpower Alocations 3 4 2 2 4 Administration Patrol Investigation Traffic CSO 18 Records 6
BUDGET EXPENSE REPORT In 2011, the total police budget was $3,370,905. This amount includes all projected costs of personnel, contractual services, commodities and capital outlay purchases. Of the total budget, $2,981,893 (88.5%) is dedicated to employee salaries and benefits. During the 2011 budget year, the Merriam Police Department spent $2,778,353, which represents 82.4 % of the approved budget. Below is a breakdown of expenditures by major categories as of December 31st, 2011. Personnel: This budget item includes salaries, benefits, overtime costs, and other expenses. Budgeted $2,981,893. Spent $2,778,353. Percent of budget spent 93%. Contractual Services: This budget item includes utilities, equipment rental and repair, custodial services, training expenses, vehicle repair, and building maintenance. Budgeted $196,428. Spent $186,521. Percent of budget spent 95%. Supplies and Equipment: Included in this budget item is office equipment, police equipment and uniforms, and gas and oil. Budgeted $159,644. Spent- $152,910. Percent of budget spent 96%. At the end of 2011 the police department returned approximately $220,181 6.5% of our total budget to the general fund. Budget Track from 2006 to 2011 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 $3,370,905 $3,318,223 $3,476,597 $3,330,204 $3,283,952 2006 $2,837,622 $0 $500,000 $1,000,000 $1,500,000 $2,000,000 $2,500,000 $3,000,000 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 7
COMMUNITY SERVICE CRIME PREVENTION: The department s crime prevention specialist, Master Larry Birt, manages a program that encourages people to have their home or business checked in an effort to protect them from criminal activity. An appointment is set up with Officer Birt and he meets with the resident, business owner or manager, and makes a full assessment of the building. A report of his findings is provided with suggestions for improvement. There is no fee for this valuable service. FINGERPRINT SERVICES: The Merriam Police Department provides fingerprint services during normal business hours. Many times a year, individuals need their fingerprints taken for financial bonds, the insurance industry or any other reason. We will provide this service by appointment by calling 913-322-5560 to set up a time. There is a fee for this service. NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH AND NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME: The Merriam Police Department believes crime prevention is a team effort. We encourage cooperation between the police and citizens. The National Night Out Against Crime is a national effort to get the citizens and their police departments together to discuss crime problems and most importantly solutions. In 2011 we held our first combined National Night Out Against Crime and Open House at the Merriam Police Department. The event included a question and answer period, division demonstrations, barbeque (cooked by Merriam s) and a Taser demonstration. 8
VOLUNTEER CHAPLAIN PROGRAM: COMMUNITY SERVICE Chaplains Mike Jacob and Charles Boyce volunteer their time to assist our officers. They assist the officers by providing support to grieving family members at accident and crime scenes. In addition to these critical duties, they offer spiritual guidance to police employees and routinely ride with the officers during their patrol shifts. Mike is a chaplain at Shawnee Mission Medical Center and a Merriam resident. Charles is a youth minister, a Merriam resident and a martial arts instructor with a 4th degree black belt in Tsuruoka Karate. Chaplain Charles Boyce Serving Since 2005 Chaplain Mike Jacob Serving Since 1998 POLICE OFFICER VOLUNTEERISM: The Merriam Police Department has been involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run since 1982. The Torch Run started in Wichita, Kansas and now has participants in all 50 states, Canada, Europe, Africa, China and Japan. The Merriam Police Department participates in events like the Polar Plunge, Cops on Top at Krispy Kreme, Popcorn Standoff at Cinemark, and the Torch Run itself throughout the year, to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics. In 2011, the Kansas City Polar Plunge raised over $120,000. Dear City Administrator Phillip Lammers, On behalf of the 5,300 athletes who participate state-wide in Special Olympics Kansas, we would like to thank you for your department s dedication, passion and hard work in the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run. The members of the Merriam Police Department are wonderful community members and selflessly give of themselves to help elevate our movement. Countless volunteer hours are dedicated to the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run. In 2010, the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run raised over $400,000.00 to support the Special Olympics Kansas program. Without the support of the Kansas LETR, Special Olympics athletes would not have the opportunity to compete in sporting events, receive health screenings through the Healthy Athletes programs or make new friends through sports. Through the power of sport and the partnership of the Merriam Police Department, we are creating a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people and we are proud to have you as part of our movement. For 30 years, the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics Kansas have walked side-by-side. We look forward to standing beside you for another 30 years! Respectfully, Chris Hahn President/CEO 9
CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS The police department has several volunteers who help out with a variety of projects. We have citizen volunteers who help in records, produce crime bulletins, along with helping during DUI check points and other city events. We wish to thank all of our volunteers for the hard work they put in. Ruth Terrones started volunteering in 2009 and works with the records department on statistical gathering and analysis. She works 2-days a week and has become a very valuable asset. Ruth demonstrates integrity, teamwork, professionalism, respect and compassion. We are forever grateful for all of her hard work. Volunteer Ruth Terrones Serving Since 2009 Volunteer Suzette Mack Serving Since 2008 Suzette Mack is a graduate of the Merriam Citizen s Academy. After her graduation she wanted to continue to stay involved. Since then she has been involved by producing the Merriam Crime Bulletin. The Crime Bulletin is full of safety tips and crime statistics. You can find copies of the Crime Bulletin on our webpage, www.merriam.org/mpd. At the end of 2011, Suzette relocated to Colorado. We will be forever thankful for Suzette and all of her help with the Crime Bulletin. We are currently looking for a volunteer who would be interested in helping produce our Merriam Crime Bulletin. INTERN PROGRAM: The Merriam Police Department offers non-paid internships to college students who are seeking degrees in Criminal Justice. These students get the full experience of working in a police department. They work in all areas of the department. They help with data collection, statistical analysis, and general station duties. They observe the investigations and patrol functions by riding with the officers as they do their jobs. We had the pleasure of working with two Interns during 2011: Katherine Gianetto, a UMKC criminal justice student, and Jeremy Marrow from Johnson County Community College. 10
CITIZEN S POLICE ACADEMY In 2008, the Merriam Police Department introduced our first Citizen s Police Academy. Since then we have found this program to very beneficial to the citizens, the officers and the department. The citizens get a first hand look at what a police officer does on a daily basis. The police officers get a chance to learn what the citizens know about law enforcement, which will help them to understand why certain things happen the way they do. The classes are based off the job of a Merriam. The citizens are given the opportunity to participate in as much of the training as they feel comfortable. These classes consisted of more than just watching videos and listening to lectures. Over half of the classes were actual handson training. The students went to the firearms range to shoot handguns and even fully automatic rifles. They learned and practiced defensive tactics and some even braved getting a shock from a Taser. In addition to all the classes, and probably the most informative, the students were able to ride with a police officer during an actual police shift. This gave them a better perspective on what they had learned and exactly how it is applied. Good Job!! I recently completed the Merriam Citizens Police Academy. I have always respected their work and efforts to do their job. These officers are intelligent and dedicated to doing their job. In their own words to Serve, to Protect, with Respect. More cities should do these classes to better educate their citizens. Thank you for a job well done. Patti Daniels 11
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