The Benton Police Department began 2009 to achieve 12 goals and objectives in addition to all the services that we provide. 11 of those goals were accomplished and the one remaining is close to being completed. Goals accomplished are:

• Develop and establish a Professional Standards Unit.
• Reestablish the Special Investigative Unit.
• Update departmental fleet of vehicles (obtained 16 new vehicles and dead lined 22 vehicles).
• Proactive Stance in community policing, increasing neighborhood watches, drug and child awareness community partnerships.
• Analyzing traffic accidents and publishing accident locations for community awareness. Enhancing traffic enforcement through special programs.
• Doubled the amount training hours for officers by using low cost or grant-funded classes available. Utilized and promoted the use of in house training.
• The Citizen’s Police Academy was resurrected and was successful.
• SWAT personnel completed a threat assessment of the city. All city entities were analyzed for the vulnerability and needs for protection.
• Warrant sweeps and other warrant service projects were successfully implemented. Allowing wanted offenders on minor violations to surrender to avoid costs associated with physical arrests. Warrants served showed a 16% increase compared to those served in 2008. Collections of fines and costs associated with these warrants showed an increase in collections of 42% compared to 2008.
• SRO’s were assigned special assignment in problem areas like, Tyndall Park, Sunset Lake, and the Saline River Access. These areas showed marked improvement because of their efforts.
• Grants obtained for special projects showed an increase of      700% over 2008.  These grants allowed us to obtain computer upgrades and tasers for the police department. A complete video system was obtained for Benton Public Schools.
• Policy Manual updates are about 75% completed. We have purchased software to make the policies electronically accessible when completed. This goal should be completed by mid 2010.

NUMBERS

Crime reporting figures compared to 2008 show improvement due to improved police and community partnerships. Reporting of the NIBRS crime statistics showed violent crime in the City of Benton, down – 6.82%, and property crime reports down – 4.69%. The NIBRS reporting covers all the crime categories, and showed a total decrease of crime in the City of Benton down by –4.82% compared to 2008 totals.

Police Department staffing improved in 2009 reaching a total of staff of 56 sworn in 2009, compared to 48 in 2008. Although many of the new officers were undergoing training to become certified, their work and presence on the street were noted in the numbers listed above. We are currently budgeted to have 55 officers in place to begin 2010. The Benton Police Department had 3 officers resign for other jobs in 2009 putting the turnover rate at 5.3% for the year.

TRAINING

The Benton Police Department officers completed 8121 training hours, which doubled the amount of training obtained in 2008. We were able to do so utilizing low cost and grant funded classes. In addition to training obtained, we hosted a number of training classes and opened them up to other departments. The in-house training provided was on Julie’s Law, Criminal Interdiction, and Response to Missing Children, Sobriety Checkpoint Legal Updates, and Domestic Battery Investigations.

RECORDS DIVISION

The records division processed 27296 reports for the public, which included 4228 new warrants and 5434 subpoenas along with the incident and accident reports received. We had an increase in collections of + 42.6 % for a total of $356,523.97 in 2009 compared to 2008.
Collection and disbursement amounts increased due to staffing of the police department and emphasis placed on warrant service and public voluntary surrender programs.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION

The Criminal Investigation Division was enhanced by re-establishing the Special Investigation Unit (SIU). The Objective of SIU is to detect and disrupt drug traffic in the City of Benton. Its secondary mission is to be used 2in their capacity to detect and solve other crime problems that may arise or surge in the city using covert techniques.
Seized drug monies primarily fund equipment used by the SIU. Operational funds are supplied through the general budget. There are 5 Detectives currently assigned to the unit.
In 2009, the SIU and the officers of the Benton Police Department seized $667,097.48 worth of drugs from streets of Benton. They arrested 237 persons on a total of 442 drug related charges. During these investigations they seized 10 weapons, one of which being a 40 mm grenade launcher, along with 5 vehicles for forfeiture.

CODE ENFORCEMENT

The Code Enforcement Unit handled 1283 cases in 2009 up +23% from the 986 cases in 2008. Compliance was obtained in 1230 of those cases in 2009. Those that did not comply had liens placed on their property due to city paid clean up to get them into compliance. Those liens totaled $20,904.67. No condemnations had to be performed because of compliance by property owners to voluntarily tear down or raze their own severely non-compliant unsafe properties. This action saved legal costs and time, which is the primary goal of code enforcement to get property owners to maintain their own properties.

GRANTS

The Benton Police Department sought out grant funding for a number of projects in 2009. In 2008, (BPD) obtained $54,000.00 in grant funds. To date in 2009, the Benton Police Department has received $377,757.12 in awarded grants which is a 700% increase compared to year 2008. Grants received are as follows:

• Selective Traffic Enforcement Grant (DWI, Seat Belt, and Child restraint enforcement) -----$61,500.00
• Wal-Mart Foundation Grant (police technology improvements)-----$2000.00
• Ed Byrne JAG Grant (provided videoed tasers for every officer)-----$64,627.00
• Secure our Schools Grant (provided enhanced video surveillance systems to every school in the Benton School District)-----$202,344.00
• Ed Byrne Stimulus Grant (computer upgrades for the police department)-----$15,759.00
• Federal Bulletproof Vest Re-imbursement Grant-----$6073.80
• Arkansas Chiefs of Police Bulletproof Vest Re-imbursement Grant-----$303.69
• Overtime Special Projects Grants (BICEP/HITDA, Operation Watchdog,)-----$ 25,149.63

A total of $1,178,777.00 in grants was applied for. Grants still pending total $801,020.00.

ENFORCEMENT PROJECTS

The Benton Police Department developed a number of innovative enforcement projects to better serve the community. The enforcement projects were also instrumental in team building within the department and especially with the interaction with other law enforcement agencies.
Projects implemented and conducted:

• DWI sobriety checkpoints (multi agency)
• Multi agency warrant sweeps
• Departmental warrant service enhancement and community volunteer surrender programs
• Study of traffic accident locations and community awareness of problem accident location, along with enhanced traffic enforcement in those areas to reduce accidents.
• Two different Multi Agency Operation Lifesaver Projects were conducted, with the Union Pacific Railroad Police.
• Operation Falcon- deputization of 8 Benton Police Detectives as Deputy U S Marshals, to enhance multi jurisdiction fugitive apprehension.
• Deputization of all Benton Police Officers as Deputies of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.
• Establishment of a Multi Agency Honor Guard for Saline County utilizing officers from Benton, Bryant, Haskell and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.
• Establishing the Benton Interstate Criminal Enforcement Program (BICEP), to have an increased visible presence on the interstate to deter and apprehend traveling criminals and drug traffic that use the interstate to violate laws in our city.
• Updated bank robbery response projects and utilizing technical enhancements.
• Expanded computer download locations in the city to allow officers to download and upload information on their in car computers in areas other than the police department parking area, keeping them closer in their assigned districts.
• Improved and expanded Sex Offender Registration Procedure. This program will allow us to be up to date with mandatory compliance set for all departments by 2011. ACIC officials tout the Benton Police Department in the top three of the state in our current program efforts.
• Picture Them Home Campaign- allows for the photos of missing children to be depicted on our police vehicles. To being awareness to child safety and hopeful return of these children, so that they are never forgotten.
• Morgan Nick Wireless Amber Alerts- develops a community network using text technology for free text alerts of Morgan Nick Amber Alerts to keep our children safe.
• Prescription Abuse Drug Guide developed to educate law enforcement, teachers and parents on commonly used and abused prescription medication and a growing prescription abuse problem within the city and country. This project was funded by drug-seized funds.
• Chief’s meetings- a monthly meeting by Saline County Law Enforcement CEO’s to plan and discuss problem solving and programs to improve our collective efforts to the citizens of Saline County, Arkansas.
• Updating of SWAT equipment, to include weaponry, vehicle and other much needed small equipment utilizing drug-seized funds.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

The Benton Police Department worked hard on improving community projects to better develop community networking in the concept of community policing. These community ties improved the image of the Benton Police Department and well as the partnership between the community and the Police Department in improving the quality of life in the City of Benton. Projects included:

• Shop with a Cop program- allowed 46 children in need, to Christmas shop with donated funds with a police officer.
• Battle of the Badges Blood Drive- Red Cross Blood Drive program in combination with the Benton Fire Department.  A total of 48 pints obtained in 2009 compared to 19 pints in 2008.
• Neighborhood Watch Programs- 7 active neighborhood watches in operation in the City of Benton.
• Special Olympics- the Benton Police Department has a big heart when it comes to programs related to the Special Olympics. In 2009:
  • 15 Benton Police officers participated in the Polar Plunge and received awards for the most funds raised by a law enforcement agency; most funds raised by any team overall, and best costume. Officers raised $4200.00, in this project in 2009.
  • 16 Benton Police officers participated in the Torch Run and Benton Police officers also participated in the Special Olympic Awards presentation ceremony at Sea\The Tip a Cop program- Benton Police Department officers raised $5800.00 for Special Olympics, by waiting tables at Colton’s Restaurant. Not only did they participate in Benton, but they also volunteered service to this project in other cities throughout Central Arkansas. Benton Police Department raised the most money out of all the law enforcement agencies in State of Arkansas in this event in 2009.
• 1st Annual Public Safety Picnic was conducted bonding Benton Police, Fire, Communications, and Ambulance Service and their families together. A kickball game was conducted in which the police department took home the traveling trophy.
• Establishment of a new and improved Benton Police web site to provide the community with updated information and services provided by the Benton Police Department. The web site can be found at www.bentonpolice.org.
• School Resource Officers provided programs provided by Jr. Achievement in addition to their duties at Benton Public Schools.
• The Citizen’s Police Academy graduated 15 citizens. Graduates will become alumni and help in the 2010 Citizen’s Academy as well as other police department programs.

2010 GOALS and OBJECTIVES

The Benton Police Department will seek to achieve 10 goals and objectives that will improve their services to the citizens of Benton in a number of ways. These goals are as follows:

• To reduce the number of traffic accidents city wide, by utilizing public education and selective traffic programs. A target of a minimum of a 10 % reduction in accidents is targeted.
• Formation of an Accident Reconstruction Team, to allow officers/investigators to utilize resources to produce a better work product during fatality and serious injury accidents.
• Enhanced departmental training and preparedness in missing person/children procedures. Policy and procedure updates in this area as well as Communication Division training on this subject. Update community programs in child safety.
• Grant procurement with emphasis on departmental vehicles and updating the departmental handgun.
• Explore and obtain less lethal weaponry for patrol and SWAT personnel.
• Obtain a full time Grant Officer for the Benton Police Department and or Public Safety.
• To continue community policing practices, to include a Junior Citizens Police Academy along with the current Citizens Police Academy.
• To obtain additional funding to obtain a third K-9 unit for the Benton Police Department.
• To seek out funding to obtain updated and needed communication improvements.
• To expand the SIU division by utilizing personnel from neighboring departments.

The Benton Police Department in 2009 contributed to a significant reduction in crime in the City of Benton. It is our belief in 2010, that the goals listed above along with the energy and drive of the leadership of the Benton Police Department will inspire all members of the Benton Police Department to the highest degree of integrity, professionalism, and proactiveness. In doing so, the Benton Police Department will greatly improve our services provided to the City of Benton and achieve it’s mission as outlined in the Mission Statement of the Benton Police Department.

Kirk R. Lane
Chief of Police
January 30, 2010