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BulletinFall 2016

OfficialPublication

of theGastonia Police

Department

InsideGreetings

From The ChiefPage 2

GPD Awards 2016Page 3

Unity In The CommunityPage 4

Family Day PhotosPage 5

Wisdom In ScrutinyPage 6

Robert C. Helton, Chief of Police

GC3 & LE Covenant UpdateEarlier this year Chief Robert

Helton joined with otherlocal law enforcement

leaders to sign a covenant with theGaston Clergy & Citizens Coalition(GC3) to be proactive and buildeven stronger community relations.

A number of meetings havebeen held to support the covenantwhich was presented to the GPDduring a City Council meeting onMay 17. The signed and frameddocument is displayed in the GPDnear the first floor elevator.

On June 8, the GC3 held a wellattended Law EnforcementRelationship Building Breakfast.The value of building relationshipswas discussed, and how getting toknow each other helps build trust.

One July 14, the GC3 held aprayer vigil to remember lives lost,

and honor the fallen in shootingincidents in Baton Rouge,Louisiana; Falcon Heights,Minnesota; and Dallas, Texas. Thevigil included a slideshow ofofficers in action in a touchingtribute to all law enforcement, and

all police officers wererecognized with a standingovation from everyone whowas in attendance.

In September, the GPD offered aClergy Academy, which is similarto the Citizens Police Academy butis designed specifically for churchstaff members.The training endedwith Gaston College’s firearmssimulator training.

A prayer vigil was held bythe GC3 on July 14.Pictured left to right,Bishop John McCullough II,Friendship Baptist Church;Chief Helton; and Dr.Rodney Freeman, Mt. ZionRestoration Church. Theprayer vigil was just one ofthe community meetings inconnection with the GC3 &LE covenant.

In September the GPD launched its first Clergy Academy for church staff members.Participants were: Rev. Ashley Anne Lloyd, Thane Kendall, Rev. Kenneth Fleming,Rev. Dr. Daisy Henry, Rev. Dr. Joan Martin, Dwayne Burks, Rodney Freeman, MelbaAnderson, Mike Buettner, Rev. Debra Short, Rev. Jackie Short, Ronald Harbinson,Patricia Moore, Brenda Gilbert, Donald Tucker, Pastor Mike Criswell, Shawn Griffith,Franklin Clark, Gunzo Feemster, Bob Adams, Bobby Giles, Creighton Lovelace,Brian Rome, Dr. Benjamin Hinton, Pierre Crawford and Carl Denton.

The Blue Light Bulletin Fall 2016 Page 2

Greetings From The ChiefWorking Together in Tough TimesThis is a challenging time for

police nationwide. We arehearing news of shootings

and civil unrest sometimes daily invarious communities across thecountry. Here at home our brothersand sisters in blue in Shelby havelost one of their own. Charlotte sawseveral days of rioting following anofficer-involved shooting. We sentofficers to help, but thankfullythere were no riots on that day.

New technologies are presentingnew issues, and scrutiny hasheightened. Videos created by thepublic can be placed on socialmedia in an instant and quickly goviral creating strong reactions andan unparalleled rush to judgment.There are many opinions aboutpolice body worn cameras andcorresponding state laws.

This difficult time has broughtan opportunity to build evenstronger community relations. Herein Gastonia, we’ve attended manycommunity gatherings from

peaceful protests to meetings withlocal clergy and church staff. CityCouncil presented a proclamationof support for law enforcementofficers following the death ofShelby Officer Tim Brackeen. Wealso have been receiving phonecalls, cards, messages, and foodeach day at our front desk frommembers and businesses in ourcommunity just wanting to say“thank you” for your service.

I’m very proud of GPD’semployees. I’m thankful for all youdo and have done to build this kindof relationship with ourcommunity. I’m also thankful tothe community for all the prayers

and support. We can’t do ourwork as efficiently or effectivelywithout you.

I’m reminded of Sir RobertPeel’s law enforcement principle:“Police, at all times, shouldmaintain a relationship with thepublic that gives reality to thehistoric tradition that the police arethe public and the public are thepolice; the police being onlymembers of the public who arepaid to give full-time attention toduties which are incumbent onevery citizen in the interests ofcommunity welfare and existence.”

It’s during the tough times thatour true character is displayed. Staystrong & keep up the good work aswe work through this challengingtime together!

“New technologiesare presenting newissues, and scrutiny

has heightened.”

Robert C. HeltonChief of Police

9-11 CeremonyCity CouncilmanJim Gallagheraddresses thecrowd during the9-11 ceremonyhosted this yearby the GastoniaFire and PoliceDepartments atthe PoliceMemorial andCommemorativePark at 200 EastLong Avenue.

The Blue Light Bulletin Fall 2016 Page 3

35 Recognized in GPD Awards 2016Thirty-five officers, civilian

employees, and volunteerswere recognized at the

Gastonia Police Department’s 2016Awards Reception on Friday, May13 in the GPD Community Room.Top awards went to Officer JoshLefevers, who was awarded theMedal of Honor, and Officer AaronFulton, who received three awards:the Police Star for Gallantry,Officer of the Year, and aLifesaving Medal, Chief RobertHelton announced.

The Medal of Honor is thehighest form of recognitionawarded to a member of the GPD.The Medal of Honor may beawarded to any sworn member(s)of the department who intelligentlyand in the line of duty distinguisheshim/herself by the performance ofan act or acts of extraordinaryheroism, above and beyond the callof duty, while engaged in personal

confrontation with an armedadversary, at imminent personalhazard to life.

“Officer Lefevers’ actionsdefine the Medal of Honor,” ChiefHelton said. “He protected the livesof others during an armedconfrontation.”

Officer Fulton’s awards stemfrom excellence in the performanceof Patrol duties. “He has defendedagainst a violent assault, andpursued and caught numerousrobbers,” Chief Helton said. “Healso stopped a suicidal subject fromjumping off a bridge.”

Other awards were:Medal for Merit – Officers

Keith Quinn and Chris Clinch,Detective Morris Elliott, and Capt.Ed Turas for accomplishmentsduring Bomb Tech ops.

Exceptional Duty – Officer AmyHawkins and Detective AdamWilson. Officer Hawkins forexceptional accomplishments withthe Explorers program and theCitizens Police Academy. DetectiveWilson for winning a silver medalin the World Police and FireGames.

Chief’s Achievement – Sgt.Adrienne Walker-Hall and OfficerBrian DiYorio for the Unity in theCommunity Basketball game foryouth and communityrelationships.

Commendations – DetectiveAdam Wilson, and OfficersClarence Belton, Derek Meek, MattWillis, and Lex Popovich forStolen Vehicle Task ForceOperations.

(Please see Awards, page 4)

Officer Josh Lefevers was awardedthe Medal of Honor, thedepartment’s highest honor, and ispictured with Chief Helton.

Officer Aaron Fulton, received the Police Star for Gallantry, Officer of theYear and a Lifesaving Medal, along with receiving the Gastonia PoliceSergeants Association’s Top Cop Award. Pictured are Sgt. JonathanHallman, Officer Fulton, Sgt. Aaron Wurster, Sgt. Nancy Capistran and Sgt.Craig Singer.

The Blue Light Bulletin Fall 2016 Page 4

On Saturday, June, 4th, theGastonia PoliceDepartment along with

Gastonia Parks and Recreation andseveral other communityvolunteers held the second annualUnity In the Community 3 on 3Basketball Tournament.

Participants, age 12 and older,competed against teams in their agebracket for several hours to win anassortment of sponsored prizes.The GPD’s basketball team playedin the adult bracket and consistedof Sgt. Brian Atkins, DetectiveChris Waldroup, Officer TreyClinton and Officer Daniel Lane.Many other GPD officers helpedwith registration, food, andorganizing the event.

Several groups in thecommunity volunteered andsponsored prizes for thetournament. The Gastonia PoliceFoundation, Kelvin Atkinson LawFirm along with North State LawEnforcement Association were themain sponsors. Christ CommunityBaptist Church, Mt. Olive BaptistChurch, UNC Charlotte’s KappaDelta Sorority, Gastonia Police

Explorers and Smokin JoesConcession volunteered and/orsponsored items for the event.

Some people who played in thetournament last year wanted tomake sure they participated againthis year. Youth in the 12-14 agebracket had some reallycompetitive games and learnedabout sportsmanship even whenyou do not win. Shamar Adams, acompetitor in the 12-14 age

bracket, ran up to officers to makesure they saw him hit the winninggame shot.

This tournament allowedofficers to make a personalconnection with the youth andadults living in the area of theErwin Center. Officers wanted thisto be a fun day where everyonecould get together and enjoy oneanother in a positive environment.

- Sgt. Adrienne Walker-Hall

Sgt. Hall and Officer DiYorio pose with the winning adult team, the Heat.

Unity in the Community Game 2

GPD Awards 2016, continued from page 3 _______Officer Fred Williams formentoring and tutoring at theSalvation Army. Officers MikeWatts, Samuel Cain, NathanMcCraw, Tou Pha Yang, AaronFulton, and Derek Meek forexcellence in Patrol duties whileinvestigating drug and homiciderelated offenses. Officer BrandonBroome and Sgt. Aaron Wurster forexcellence in Patrol duties whileinvestigating a reported shooting

and robbery.Civilian of the Year – Matt

Phillips for crime analysisassistance and training provided toofficers.

COP (Citizens on Patrol) of theYear – Barbara Biggerstaff for allher assistance to the citizens ofGastonia through the COP programand being an outstanding COP.

Explorer of the Year – CodyKohler and Margaret Davison for

many volunteer hours and beingoutstanding Explorers.

Special Teams 5 Years ofService – Detective Adam Wilson.

Bachelor’s Degree – DetectiveAdam Wilson.

Military Service – Officers PatSpiker, Nathan McCraw, BradBumgardner, Robert Gammons,Adam Hudson, Zachary Lechette,Juan Sepulvada-Cadavid, andRussell Schlick.

The Blue Light Bulletin Fall 2016 Page 5

GPF Donates K-9 VestsThe Gastonia Police Foundation recently donated six K-9 vests to the GPD. “This is the first time we’ve had vestsfor all of our K-9s,” said Sgt. Thomas Doby, GPD’s K-9 Unit supervisor. “The vests are bulletproof and stabresistant. We are very grateful to the foundation for this donation.” Pictured left to right, Gastonia Police OfficersMatt Willis and K-9 Levi, David Rowland and K-9 Colt, Assistant Chiefs James Smith and Travis Brittain, Sgt.Doby, Gastonia Police Foundation President Erin Flitt and foundation members Chris Tolbert and StephenDriscoll, Officers Casey Justice & K-9 Taz, Michael Lewis and K-9 Blaze, and Ben Roper and K-9 Jack. For moreinformation you may go online to gastoniapolicefoundation.org.

Family Day Fun

Counselor’s InsightThe Blue Light Bulletin Fall 2016 Page 6

Wisdom In Times Of ScrutinyAnybody who wants to

effectively lead has tolearn to appropriately

handle scrutiny or they will sufferendless misery. Scrutiny alwaysfeels abrasive. However, itbecomes even more abrasive whenscrutiny comes from people whoappear uninterested in ourperspective and it’s downrightoffensive if we feel their agendadoesn’t include our success.

Now, it’s stating the obviousthat in the U.S. the police are underthe most intense scrutiny they’veever experienced. It’s no longer justthe chiefs who feel the heaviness ofit but it’s now weighing heavy onevery single person wearing theuniform. Even the family andfriends of police officers arefeeling the pressure.

So how do we handle it? Do wefall in line with everything that’ssaid? Do we throw our hands upand quit? Do we dig in and defendthe status quo?

Well, I’ve been in leadershippositions most of my life and thus Ihave been scrutinized most of mylife. Through success and failureand a lot of time spent reading thebook of Proverbs, I’ve built amental framework that when Iactually apply it with intentionaldiscipline it helps me to grow andbe more successful! Here are a fewhighlights:

(1) How I handle scrutiny willeither get me closer to excellenceor further from it.

(2) Not all scrutiny isholistically right or wise, but allscrutiny points to something in methat can change or grow - find the

baby in the bath water. (3) Empathize. If I’m going to

discover the baby I have to get myhands wet.

(4) Invite a variety of people tohear it and process it with me thattruly love me enough to beobjective and honest.

(5) Be brutally honest withmyself about my motives beforeevaluating and responding tocriticism. Pride is an enemy ofsuccess.

I continue to hold to what I saidat our 9-11 memorial in September.The Gastonia City PoliceDepartment is made up of the finestamong us. We are blessed by yourwork. I pray you continuallyincrease in success and I obviouslypray for your continued protection.I’m honored to serve you.

As Coach Frank Beamer used tosay to us when I played at VT -“Let’s Go Man Go!”

- Chaplain Austin Rammell

***Detective and SWAT Teammember Anthony Borja celebratedhis retirement with a lunch withfamily and friends on Friday, June24, in the CID Office.

The lunch concluded with ajoyful dance by the “Disco KingDetective” who is currentlyworking as a park ranger withCrowders Mountain State Park.

***Caron George retired on July1 with 26 years of service. She hasserved with GPD’s budget office,and her most recent service was asan instructor with IT. She joins herhusband, retired GPD Capt. MaxGeorge, in retirement and they planto do a lot of traveling.

***Julie Dellinger retired onSept. 1 with 28 years of service in

local government. Her most recentservice was as an AdministrativeAssistant in the office of AssistantChief Mike Smith.

Her retirement plans include atrip to the beach, some homeremodeling, and spending moretime with her granddaughter.

(Please see GPD Tidbits, page 7)

“The refining pot is for silver and thefurnace for gold” (Proverbs 27:21)

GPD TidbitsRetirements, Transfers & More

The Blue Light Bulletin Fall 2016 Page 7

***Transfers: Officer Jason Harris has been selectedas the new CSI Detective (Identification Bureau)replacing retired Detective Borja. Officer Mike Wattshas been selected as the new CID Detective.

***Meredith Brafford has been appointed to theposition of Administrative Assistant in the office ofAssistant Chief Smith. Officer Cody Huffstetlertransferred into the Street Crimes Unit. Officer ZacharyLechette has been selected as a new Traffic Officer.

***Gastonia Police Officer Joe Costner has beenappointed to GPD’s Multi-Jurisdictional SWAT Team.

Officer Casey Justice has been appointed to theposition of K-9 Officer. The following officers havebeen appointed to the Shift Tactical Team: SamBarksdal, Gregory Tucker, David Guerin, AdrianMoreira, David Lutz, and Samuel Cain

***Recently hired officers are: Stephen Ziglar,3/28/16; Jason Sarratt, 5/2/16; Dylan Rice, 6/6/16;Jason Beaver, 6/27/16; Maurice Taylor, 7/5/16; CierraBrooks, 7/18/16; Ryan Huneycutt, 7/18/16; JustinGardner, 8/22/16; and Patrick Ashe, 8/22/16. S. CaitlinRamsey, 5/2/16, is PIRT I.

GPD Tidbits, continued from page 6 ________

Lechette Earns Traffic CertificateZachary Lechette recently

completed the TrafficEnforcement and

Investigation Certificate Program atthe North Carolina Justice Academy.Officer Lechette is the 267th officerto receive the certificate since theprogram’s inception in 1999.

The Traffic Enforcement andInvestigation Certificate Program isdesigned to recognize theachievement of law enforcementprofessionals who have dedicatedthemselves to making the highwayssafer for our citizens. Officers, uponcompletion of the program, willhave mastered several importantaspects of traffic enforcement andrelated topics, thus achieving a highlevel of professionalism forthemselves as well as theirdepartment.

The program requires theparticipants to be sworn lawenforcement officers of a lawenforcement agency and have atleast two years experience as a full-time officer.

In addition, participants arerequired to have their agency’s headapproval to participate in theprogram due to the time spent away

from the agency in efforts to obtainthe training needed to complete theprogram.

The certificate program requires500 hours of training with a focus ontraffic enforcement andinvestigation. A core requirement forthe program consists of thefollowing courses: Introduction toTraffic Crash Investigation, At-Scene Traffic Crash Investigation,and Drug Enforcement for PatrolOfficers, Intoximeter EC/IR IIOperator, RADAR, and standardizedField Sobriety Testing. The corecourses consist of 203 hours. Allother hours needed to complete the

program are traffic related electives.The NC Justice Academy, located

in Salemburg and Edneyville,develops and conducts trainingcourses for local and state lawenforcement professionals. TheJustice Academy provides trainingprograms and technical assistancefor law enforcement professionalsthrough the five centers of theTraining Division: Investigations;Legal; Management;Commission/In-Service;Tactical/Traffic.

If you would like moreinformation please contact Terry D.Miller at tdmiller@ncdoj.gov.

Chief Robert Helton presented the certificate to Officer Lechette at aCommand Staff meeting on Aug. 16.

Connect with Gastonia Police

GastoniaPD.org

A Hero’s Final RideThe southbound lanes of I-85 weretemporarily shut down for a lawenforcement procession on Sept.13 that brought fallen Shelby Police Officer Tim Brackeenback home from Charlotte. There were lights on police carsand officers in salute position at every bridge. Every lawenforcement agency in Gaston County assisted and workedtogether with officers from Cleveland County andMecklenburg County. GPD employees also raised money forthe family, and many attended his funeral.