2012 Annual Report - City of Alma

2012 Annual Report
Alma Police Department

Table of Contents
Message from the Director of Public Safety ........................................................................................................... 1
Alma Police Department Roster ................................................................................................................................ 2
2012 Training ................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Community Highlights ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Advancements with Technology ................................................................................................................................ 5
2012 Statistical Analysis ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Offenses by File Class .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Offense File Class Monthly Comparison ........................................................................................................... 11
Service and Assist Calls ...................................................................................................................................... 12
Parking Tickets Issued ....................................................................................................................................... 13
Traffic Stops Made by Patrol Officers ............................................................................................................... 14
Tickets Issued by Patrol Officers ....................................................................................................................... 15
Arrests Made by Patrol Officers ........................................................................................................................ 16
Five Year Total Incident Comparison ................................................................................................................ 17
Five Year On-Road Traffic Accident Comparison .............................................................................................. 18

Message from the Director of Public Safety
2012 was a great year to strive toward our
organizational goals to develop and encourage
personal excellence, obtain and incorporate
advanced technology and equipment, and
continuously improve police service to the citizens of
Alma.
We currently have highly educated, well trained
officers. The Alma Police Department is an
organization of self directed, quality contributors
with a sense of community. The men and women of
this department are the catalysts that bring the
necessary resources together to ensure that the citizens of this community are
receiving the very best police services possible.
Throughout the past year the police department has experienced many changes.
Most noteworthy is our new records management system (TIMS) that has been up
and running for the entire year and has streamlined many factions of our duties.
You will see throughout the annual report that statistical data is readily available
and much easier to decipher. This change will also account for some of the
changes in our year to year comparisons, as we now have the ability to include
several different reportable offenses within each complaint number.
During 2012, we had some staffing changes as well. Officer Jeff Mizer resigned to
take a position with the Grand Rapids Airport Police. We were pleased to welcome
Officer Ervin Ward to our department. Officer Ward is part time and has been
working various shifts since April. We also welcomed Officer Anthony Foote back
to road patrol after his tour with MAGNET.
So, it is with great pleasure that I submit, for your review, the 2012 annual report.

Alma Police Department Roster
Director of Public Safety David Walsh
APD Since 1977
Director Walsh earned a bachelor’s degree from
Saginaw Valley State University and is a graduate of the
Northwestern School of Staff and Command. He has
also earned his firefighter 1 and 2 certifications from the
State of Michigan.
Administrative Lieutenant Matt Schooley
APD Since 1991
Lieutenant Schooley is a graduate of the Eastern
Michigan School of Staff and Command.
Patrol Lieutenant Kendra Overla
APD Since 1999
Lieutenant Overla became a certified firefighter in 2011.
She has a bachelor’s degree from Bellevue University
and is a graduate of the Michigan State University
School of Staff and Command. She is also currently
attending Central Michigan University pursuing her
MSA.
Detective Mark Williams
APD Since 1998
Detective Williams has an associate’s degree from Delta
College. He is a certified firefighter and currently
pursuing his bachelor’s degree from Saginaw Valley
State University.
Officer Jeff Hedrick
APD Since 1988
Officer Hedrick currently works day shift road patrol.
Officer Dave West
APD Since 2003
Officer West has a bachelor’s degree from Central
Michigan University. He is the department defensive
tactics instructor and currently works night shift road
patrol.
Officer Chad Pratt
APD Since 2003
Officer Pratt has an associate’s degree from Delta
College. He is a certified firefighter, code enforcement
officer, and the department firearms instructor. Officer
Pratt currently works day shift road patrol.
Officer Casey Mueller
APD Since 2004
Officer Mueller has a bachelor’s degree from Ferris
State University. He is our department CPR instructor
and currently on special assignment.
Officer Anthony Foote
APD Since 2004
Officer Foot has a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State
University. He currently works night shift road patrol.
Officer Jake Gulick
APD Since 2006
Officer Gulick has a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State
University. He is the current K9 officer. He and his K9
partner Castor have been paired up since 2009.
Officer Jason Biehl
APD Since 2006
Officer Biehl has a bachelor’s degree from Alma
College. He is the department’s liaison with the Alma
Public Schools and Alma College. He currently works
day shift road patrol.
Officer Tom Burns
APD Since 2009
Officer Burns has an associate’s degree from Delta
College. He currently works day shift road patrol.
Officer Adam Walter
APD Since 2009
Officer Walter has a bachelor’s degree from Michigan
State University. He is currently working night shift road
patrol.
Officer Chris Drury
APD Since 2011
Officer Drury attended the Air Force Academy and has
an associate’s degree from Mid Michigan Community
College. He is a certified firefighter and currently works
night shift road patrol.
Officer Ervin Ward
APD Since 2012
Officer Ward has a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State
University. He currently works part-time road patrol.
Police Clerk Holly Champagne
APD Since Dec. 2011
Police Clerk Champagne has a bachelor’s degree from
Saginaw Valley State University and a juris doctorate
from DePaul University College of Law. She is currently
pursuing a master’s degree from the University of
Cincinnati.

2012 Training
All Officers
Emergency Vehicle Operations
DataMaster
Basic LEIN Operations
HazMAT
Bloodborne Pathogens
Firearms Training
Director Walsh
MACP Mid Winter Training
Detective Williams
MI Operation Lifesaver
Understanding Sexual Assault
Medical Issues and Preparing for Court
Clandestine Drug Labe Awareness
Officer West
Defensive Tactics
SFST Refresher
Officer Mueller
Raid Entry
Legal Update
Officer Gulick
IPWDA National K9 Certification Course
Officer Burns
Legal Update
Basic Police Safety Bicycle Training
Machinery Rescue Awareness
SFST Refresher
Lieutentant Overla
Clandestine Drug Lab Awareness
Police Executive Development Series
Officer Hedrick
Basic Public Safety Bicycle Training
Officer Pratt
Threat Focused Shooting
Legal Update
MI Operation Lifesaver
Clandestine Drug Lab Awareness
Colt Rifle Armorer’s School
Officer Foote
SFST
Officer Biehl
Basic Public Safety Bicycle Training
Officer Drury
Basic Public Safety Bicycle Training
Officer Ward
Legal Update
DV in Service

Community Highlights
The department continues to be involved in the Alma community in a
variety of ways. As usual, the department provided traffic control for
local parades and events, such as the 45 th Annual Alma Highland
Festival. The department participated in other events like “Touch-a-
Truck” for Lucky MacDuck Day. We have also hopefully started a new
annual tradition with the Alma Police Department’s “Cram a Cruiser”
program, which accepts donations to the Toys for Tots charity.
This year, the Alma Police Department continued to strengthen police
Director Walsh helps collect winning
presence in the Alma school system. Our School Resource Officer has
ducks during Lucky MacDuck Day.
been actively involved with the schools, and in late 2012, all officers
were encouraged to increase patrol of Alma schools during the school day and at night. Response to the
increased presence of patrol officers has been positive.
The 2012 Toys for Tots “Cram a Cruiser”
flyer. We received many donations this year
and hope to make it an annual event.
Two other programs continued to encourage local area youth:
Alma PAL and Alma Police Youth Academy. Nearly 300 kids
ages 5-17 participated in at least one of 19 different events or
sports offered by the Alma Police Athletic League (PAL) in
2012. Alma PAL’s yearly membership also surpassed 200 for
the first time in the 8 years of existence. This year’s Alma
Police Youth Academy was organized by the department’s
School Resource Officer, Officer Biehl, and consisted of 22
participants in grades 5-8. The Academy was held in June and
instructed local youth in various parts of the criminal justice
system. Nearly every officer participated as an instructor or
mentor during this year’s program.
This year the department also established a permanent
prescription drop site. The new drop site is located within the
department lobby and is available to the public during office
hours. The drop site provides a free and convenient option for
those residents within the city of Alma and surrounding
communities that are looking to safely dispose of unwanted,
unused, or outdated medications. The department currently
accepts pills, liquids, inhalers, and other medications. However, sharps are not accepted at this time. The Alma
Police Department is pleased to be offering this service aimed at reducing drug abuse, accidental poisonings,
and environment contamination. The drop site has proven quite popular with local residents; in 2012, the
department collected over 43 pounds of pills alone.

Advancements with Technology
In 2012, the Alma Police Department made significant progress with the goal to advance the department's
incorporation of updated techology. Some of the major projects that were focused on this year include:
Talon Information Management System (TIMS):
In October 2011, the Alma Police Department implemented a new records management system known as
TIMS. This new system granted many more features and was easier to operate than the AS400 system that was
in place. Throughout 2012, the department continued to adjust to, and take full advantage of, the new TIMS
system. One of the major changes involved was the classification of incidents by offense file classes. TIMS
requires an offense assigned to every incident created in the system. Offenses are listed according to specific
file classes based on the State of Michigan crime reporting (MICR) policies and procedures. By assigning a
MICR based file class to each incident, TIMS can easily convert the information on a police report to MICR
reports. Assigning specific file classes also allows for greater uniformity within the department’s police reports
and with other police agencies. One of the projects that the department worked on this year was further defining
when the different file classes would be used. This should assist the department with future statistical analysis
and understanding the types of incidents the department handles. TIMS contains a statistics reporting feature
that should also help with quicker internal assessments.
Counywide Mobile Data/Records Management Systems Collaboration (MDC Project):
In 2011, the department changed their records management system to the Talon Information Management
System (TIMS). The success of this transition led to discussion in early 2012 with all area law enforcement
agencies, including Gratiot Central Dispatch, to explore a countywide records system. The committee
eventually decided to not only transition to TIMS as the records system for all agencies, but sought monies from
the Gratiot 911 Authority and State of Michigan Emergencey Management Division to equip all patrol cars with
state of the art Mobile Data Computers along with electronic crash and electronic ticket capabilities. The Alma
Police Department now has Panasonic CF-19 Toughbooks with modems installed in all patrol cars. This allows
officers to run all records management applications from their patrol car. Officers now have in car access to the
Michigan State Police Electronic Traffic Crash Reporting System which allows immediate input of crash data.
The project will conclude in 2013 with all cars having electronic ticketing, Law Enforcement Informaiton
Network (LEIN), and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) capabilities.
Conversion to 800 MHz Radio System:
All Gratiot County Law Enforcement Agencies migrated from the traditional VHF radio system to the statewide
800 MHz radios. All officers were trained prior to the new radios being installed. The 800 system allows for
better communication within the county and each agency now has private talk channels.
In Car Video Upgrade:
The department purchased three new video systems for their patrol cars in 2012. The Pro Vision System will
allow officers to upload evidentiary video remotely. The department was able to make this purchase for all three
cars by securing a donation from the Luneak Foundation and a grant from the Michigan Municipal Risk
Management Authority. This system will be put into service in early 2013 when all patrol cars are upfitted as
part of the MDC project.

Advancements with Technology (continued)
Electronic Submission of Complaints:
In May 2012, the department began sending all complaint information to the Gratiot County Prosecutor’s Office
electronically. In the past, the department sent an officer to the prosecutor’s office on a daily basis for the
processing of all complaints. This necessitated up to a three hour wait for complaints to be authorized on
persons who had been arrested and were awaiting arraignment in court. The agreement now in place allows the
department to send all paperwork by email and then be notified by the prosecutor when ready for authorization.
The 65 th District Court has also decided to allow emailed copies of tickets to suffice as charging documents.
Officers new travel to the prosecutor’s office or court on average of one time per week to retrieve subpoenas or
sign warrants.
Installation of Polycom Video System:
The department installed Polycom Telepresence software on the department computers. This provides video
conferencing between the 65 th District Court and the department. It will allow officers to sign warrants and
testify in traffic court without travelling to Ithaca. This program will be implemented when the MDC project is
complete.
Electronic Forms and Complaint Submission by Officers:
TIMS and the MDC project have changed the way the department handles complaints internally. TIMS allows
documents and photographs to be attached to cases electronically. The state of the art computers and modems
being used in our patrol cars allows for the officers to send information to command about complaints and
investigaitons. All department email accounts are also accessible from the patrol car and any change in status on
cases is passed along via email. All pertinent department forms have been converted to a fillable, electronic
form. This format allows the officers to complete the forms on their mobile computers, attach forms directly to
a TIMS incident, and email forms to supervisors or other agencies. The conversion to electronic forms and
email-based internal correspondence has also reduced the volume of paper used and retained within the
department.
Michigan Crime Reporting (MICR):
MICR reporting allows the state to collect statistics on crime rates throughout Michigan. MICR also reports
some of that information to the federal government for similar purposes. Police departments in Michigan are
required to report certain criminal offenses to MICR in order to receive state and federal based funding. MICR
compliance is therefore very important for police agencies. However, the process for becoming, and staying,
MICR compliant can be quite complicated. MICR reports have very strict procedures for each reportable
offense. TIMS attempts to ease this process by alerting users to MICR errors before submission to the state,
which is required monthly. TIMS also creates an electronic file to send to MICR, so the department does not
have to provide written reports.Because the department switched records management systems, it was required
to become recertified with MICR. In order to do this, the department had to undergo a lengthy testing phase.
This required editing and reformatting most of the 2011 and 2012 incidents, as well as fulfilling other requests
by MSP. The department was able to complete the certification process in 2012 and is now fully MICR
compliant.

2012 Statistical Analysis
The following pages contain various information and graphics about the Alma Police
Department's 2012 activity. There are a few changes to this year's annual report.
In the past, the department has displayed offense information with year to year comparisons.
However, as mentioned in this report's section on Advancement with Technology, the
department switched reporting systems in late 2011. The new TIMS system focuses on state
based offense file classes rather than the department's own internal classification system. This
changes how each incident is classified and how the offense numbers are reported. Therefore,
an incident comparison of the previous years to 2012's file class based statistics would be
inappropriate at this time. The department plans to continue using the current file class system
and should be able to resume yearly offense comparisons next year.
When looking at the following numbers, it is important to note the difference between an
incident and an offense. An incident is a particular set of circumstances, occurring on a
particular date and time, reported to or handled by the department. A single incident may also
have follow up information that occurred at a time different from the initial activity. Many
incidents are based on calls recieved by officers through Gratiot County Central Dispatch, but
incidents may also orginate within the department or during routine activities and patrol. An
offense file class is the assigned classification for those incidents and may be criminal or
noncriminal. One incident may also have multiple offenses. This usually occurs when one
person commits more than one offense at the same time.

Offenses by File Class
File Class
# of
2012 Offenses
% of Total #
1020-0 -- Arson Incendiary Device 1 0.02%
1100-1 -- Sexual Penetration Penis/Vagina CSC1 5 0.10%
1100-2 -- Sexual Penetration Penis/Vagina CSC3 3 0.06%
1100-3 -- Sexual Penetration Oral/Anal CSC1 6 0.12%
1100-4 -- Sexual Penetration Oral/Anal CSC3 1 0.02%
1100-5 -- Sexual Penetration Object CSC1 2 0.04%
1100-7 -- Sexual Contact Forcible CSC2 2 0.04%
1100-8 -- Sexual Contact Forcible CSC4 5 0.10%
1200-0 – Robbery 1 0.02%
1300-1 -- Nonaggravated Assault 106 2.05%
1300-2 -- Aggravated/Felonious Assault 11 0.21%
1300-3 -- Intimidation/Stalking 11 0.21%
2000-0 – Arson 2 0.04%
2200-1 -- Burglary - Forced Entry 26 0.50%
2200-2 -- Burglary - Entry W/Out Force (Intent) 6 0.12%
2200-3 -- Burglary - Unlawful Entry (No Intent) 11 0.21%
2300-3 -- Larceny - Theft From Building 37 0.71%
2300-4 -- Larceny - Theft From Coin Operated 1 0.02%
2300-5 -- Larceny - Theft From Motor Vehicle 27 0.52%
2300-6 -- Larceny - Theft Of M. Vehicle Parts 1 0.02%
2300-7 -- Larceny – Other 97 1.87%
2400-1 -- Motor Vehicle Theft 5 0.10%
2500-0 -- Forgery/Counterfeiting 4 0.08%
2600-1 -- Fraud - False Pretense/Swindle/Conf 17 0.33%
2600-2 -- Fraud - Credit Card/ATM 9 0.17%
2600-3 -- Fraud - Impersonation 4 0.08%
2600-4 -- Fraud – Welfare 1 0.02%
2600-5 -- Fraud – Wire 2 0.04%
2600-6 -- Fraud - Bad Checks 19 0.37%
2700-0 – Embezzlement 4 0.08%
2800-0 -- Stolen Property 3 0.06%
2900-0 -- Damage to Property 64 1.24%
3000-2 -- Retail Fraud - Theft 17 0.33%
3500-1 -- Violation of Controlled Substance 46 0.89%
3500-2 -- Narcotic Equipment Violations 2 0.04%
3600-4 -- Sex Offense - Other 6 0.12%
3800-0 – Cruelty 1 0.02%
3800-1 -- Family - Abuse/Neglect Nonviolent 5 0.10%
3800-2 -- Family - Nonsupport 6 0.12%
3800-3 -- Family - Other 5 0.10%
4100-1 -- Liquor License - Establishment 1 0.02%

File Class
# of
2012 Offenses
% of Total #
4100-2 -- Liquor Violations - Other 31 0.60%
4800-0 -- Obstructing Police 11 0.21%
5000-0 -- Obstructing Justice 77 1.49%
5200-1 -- Weapons Offense - Concealed 2 0.04%
5300-1 -- Disorderly Conduct 62 1.20%
5300-2 -- Public Peace - Other 27 0.52%
5400-1 -- Hit & Run Motor Vehicle Accident 10 0.19%
5400-2 -- OUIL or OUID 38 0.73%
5400-3 -- Driving Law Violations 193 3.73%
5500-0 -- Health and Safety 30 0.60%
5700-1 -- Trespass 12 0.23%
6200-0 -- Conservation 1 0.02%
6300-0 -- Vagrancy 2 0.04%
7000-1 -- Incorrigible 1 0.02%
7000-4 -- Juvenile Issues 33 0.64%
7300-0 -- Miscellaneous Criminal Offense 107 2.07%
9100-1 -- Delinquent Minors (Under 17) 1 0.02%
9100-2 -- Runaway 4 0.08%
9200-3 -- Walk Away Mental Institutions & Hospitals 1 0.02%
9300-1 -- Property Damage Accident/PI 124 2.40%
9300-2 -- Accident, Nontraffic 61 1.18%
9300-3 -- Traffic Violations -Civil Infractions 4 0.08%
9300-4 -- Parking Violations -Civil Infractions 11 0.21%
9300-6 -- Traffic Policing 27 0.52%
9400-1 -- Valid Alarm Activation 5 0.10%
9400-2 -- False Alarm Activation 97 1.87%
9500-1 -- Accident, Fire 3 0.06%
9500-6 -- Hazardous Conditions 4 0.08%
9700-6 -- Accident, All Other 58 1.12%
9800-2 -- Motor Vehicle, Vin, School Bus Inspections 70 1.35%
9800-3 -- Property (Excludes Routine Patrol Inspections) 8 0.15%
9800-5 -- Unfounded Alarms 15 0.29%
9800-6 -- Civil Matter Disputes/Family Trouble 319 6.16%
9800-7 -- Suspicious Situation 153 2.96%
9800-8 -- Lost & Found Property 93 1.80%
9900-1 -- Suicide (Includes Attempts) 11 0.21%
9900-2 -- Natural Death 10 0.19%
9900-3 -- Missing Persons 11 0.21%
9900-7 -- Public Relations Activities 2 0.04%
9900-8 -- General Assistance (Escorts, Service Calls) 1582 30.57%
9900-9 -- General Noncriminal 1281 24.75%

The chart below shows each file class, in ascending order, based on the number of 2012 APD incidents. For comparison purposes, this chart does not
include the following file classes: General Noncriminal, General Assistance, Civil Matters, or offenses with less than 10 incidents in 2012.
9900-2: Natural Death
5400-1: Hit & Run Motor Vehicle Accident
9900-3: Missing Persons
9900-1: Suicide (Includes Attempts)
9300-4: Parking Violations -Civil Infractions
4800-0: Obstructing Police
2200-3: Burglary - Unlawful Entry(No Intent)
1300-3: Intimidation/Stalking
1300-2: Aggravated/Felonious Assault
5700-1: Trespass
9800-5: Unfounded Alarms
3000-2: Retail Fraud - Theft
2600-1: Fraud - False Pretense/Swindle/Conf
2600-6: Fraud - Bad Checks
2200-1: Burglary - Forced Entry
9300-6: Traffic Policing
5300-2: Public Peace - Other
2300-5: Larceny - Theft From Motor Vehicle
5500-0: Health And Safety
4100-2: Liquor Violations - Other
7000-4: Juvenile Issues
2300-3: Larceny - Theft From Building
5400-2: OUIL or OUID
3500-1: Violation Of Controlled Substance
9700-6: Accident, All Other
9300-2: Accident, Nontraffic
5300-1: Disorderly Conduct
2900-0: Damage To Property
9800-2: Motor Vehicle, VIN, School Bus Inspections
5000-0: Obstructing Justice
9800-8: Lost & Found Property
9400-2: False Alarm Activation
2300-7: Larceny - Other
1300-1: Nonaggravated Assault
7300-0: Miscellaneous Criminal Offense
9300-1: Property Damage Accident/PI
9800-7: Suspicious Situation (Cars, Persons, Packages, Etc)
5400-3: Driving Law Violations
10
10
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
12
15
17
17
19
26
27
27
27
30
31
33
37
38
46
58
61
62
64
70
77
93
97
97
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
2012 Incidents
106
107
124
153
193

Offense File Class Monthly Comparison
As you can see in the chart above, the number of offenses remained somewhat steady
throughout the months of 2012. There was a slight peak during the summer, with the
highest number of offenses being recorded in July.

Service and Assist Calls
Service and assist calls are an important aspect of the Alma Police Department. Over half of the incidents in
2012 were noncriminal calls. This is reflected in the two
most commonly used offense file classes: General
Assistance and General Noncriminal. These incidents can
include assitance provided to other agencies, civil standbys,
and unfounded criminal complaints.
Near the end of 2012, the department assigned internal
definitions to these two often interchangeable file classes.
General Assistance incidents will only be incidents in
which the Alma Police Department provided assistance to
another agency. Previously, this offense code was also
used for assist calls to individuals. However, in future
years, the department would like to use this offense code
to highlight the number of times the department provides
assistance to external agencies such as MMR, DHS, and
other law enforcement entities. General Assistance
incidents will also include arrests made by an APD
officer for a warrant originating from another agency.
General Noncriminal will include all noncriminal complaints that do not specifically fit in another offense code
and are not criminal incidents. Based on this definition, the department expects the number of General
Noncriminal incidents to increase in the following years. However, these defined classifications should allow
greater specificity with department statistics and other offense file classes. These definitions were not
implemented until late 2012, therefore, the numbers in this report do not completely reflect these new
designations.
450
400
350
397
2012 APD Assistance Provided to Other Agencies
300
250
200
150
100
50
81
66
25
48
0
MMR St. Louis PD Gratiot Co. Sheriff's
Dept.
MSP
Magnet

Parking Tickets Issued
Yearly Total
2012: 872
2012 Monthly Distribution of Parking Tickets

Traffic Stops Made by Patrol Officers

Tickets Issued by Patrol Officers

Arrests Made by Patrol Officers

Five Year Total Incident Comparison
6000
5500
5000
5765 5764 5772
5401
5069
Total Number of Incidents
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
Year
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Five Year On-Road Traffic Accident Comparison
300
250
200
246
258
229
Number of Traffic Accidents
150
100
171 173
50
0
Year
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012