Crime Analysis:
The Crime Analysis Section of Administrative Services Division supports operational needs of the Department. The Crime Analysis Section duties include the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information about criminal activities as well as the compilation of statistical data.
Crime Analysis is a set of systematic, analytical processes directed at providing timely crime information. This pertinent information relative to crime patterns and trend correlation assists operational and administrative personnel in planning the deployment of resources for the prevention and suppression of criminal activities. Within this context, crime analysis supports a number of Department functions including patrol deployment, special operations and tactical units, investigations, planning and research, crime prevention, and administrative services.
Crime Analysis is comprised of three functions: administrative, strategic, and tactical. Examples of administrative crime analysis tasks include providing economic, geographic, and law enforcement information to police management, city hall, city council, and neighborhood/citizen groups.
Strategic crime analysis deals with long-range comparisons (quarterly, semi-annually, or annually), to identify trends. This information assists long-term planning.
Tactical crime analysis deals with immediate criminal offenses (immediate, hours, days, weeks). It promotes a quick response to recent offenses such as burglaries and robberies. The tactical crime analysis function provides information to assist operational personnel in the identification of specific crime trends and the arrest of criminal offenders.
The Crime Analysis Section gathers information on criminal activities from a variety of sources, both internal and external, and distributes the data to various sections of the Department. The Section is also responsible for the exchange of information with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
Technical Services:
The Records Section is responsible for maintaining all documentation relating to case reports, arrests, accidents, citations, and a number of other records. The Records Section utilizes a document imaging system to store information. This computerized information storage allows ready access to documents, while providing archiving of those same materials.
The Computer Operations Manager, John Beardsley, is responsible for maintaining the Department's computer network, as well as the computer records system and mobile computers in the patrol vehicles.
Training Unit:
The Training Administrator oversees recruiting, testing and hiring of new officers. The Training Administrator is the immediate supervisor for new officers during their recruit training period of approximately 5 months. Upon completion of classroom training, recruit officers enter a 15 week Field Training Program. The Training Administrator works closely with shift supervisors during this time period closely monitoring the progress of recruit officers. The successful candidate spends the first 8 months of their career with the Rapid City Police Department in training prior to working alone in a patrol vehicle.
The Training Administrator oversees a training committee arranging monthly in-service training for current employees. Officers receive 80 hours of in-service training each year, in addition to any specialized training they may attend.
Accreditation:
The Accreditation Manager, Lt. Ray Cornford, is responsible for the accreditation function, an intensive process that requires the Department to meet over 400 state-of-the-art standards established by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The Rapid City Police Department was first accredited in 1990 and recently completed an on-site assessment. We expect to receive our fifth re-accreditation at the National CALEA Conference in Colorado in November 2007.
Audio/Video Unit:
The Media Specialist, David Stucke, is responsible for producing public service announcements for TV and radio broadcast, training and recruitment videos, and educational videos. He is also called upon to videotape major crime scenes. The Audio/Video Unit utilizes state of the art equipment and training to conduct Forensic Video Analysis. Specialized computer hardware and software allows for the clarification of surveillance video images and sounds from virtually any recorded source. This technology and analysis aids investigators in suspect identification and crime scene investigation.
Crime Prevention:
The Crime Prevention Office is located at the Police Department's substation at the Rushmore Mall. This allows for greater exposure and opportunities to interact with the public. Sergeant Wayne Asscherick and Senior Officer Chad Strobel are responsible for a number of crime prevention programs, including Neighborhood Watch, Crime-Free Multi-Housing and school visitation programs.
The Police Chaplains:
The Police Chaplains are an assembly of clergy members who volunteer their time to the Police Department and community for police related functions and events. Their services are beneficial in a variety of situations including ceremonies, death notifications, and other related chaplain duties as requested. Comprised of nine members representing various faiths within Pennington and Meade County, the Chaplains offer an invaluable service to the Rapid City Community.
College Recruitment Program:
The task of recruitment necessitates an aggressive selection process for the Rapid City Police Department. The Department identifies and selects the best candidates available to become members of the Department. A lower rate of personnel turnover, fewer disciplinary problems, higher morale, better community relations, and more efficient and effective services are all benefits of the Department's recruitment and selection policies.
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