Greetings City Council and Community Members:

The Richmond Police Department is nearing its sixth year of operations under a three-district, geographic deployment that emphasizes beat ownership, collaboration and partnerships.  It is community policing philosophy in action, which requires teamwork, cooperation, community engagement and problem-solving in order to achieve the best results.  Accurate and timely crime data and the Compstat process are tools that help District commanders measure the resources to be used to address crime and disorder problems intelligently and effectively.  Policing Richmond combines a balanced fusion of contemporary policing methodologies with modern technology applications and strong community relationships in order to provide the best possible service to the public. 

Please explore what delivering police service is like in Richmond through this very small sample of some of the recent incidents and activities involving RPD personnel during March.  (We average about 17,000 police service calls each month).  As you will read, our courageous women and men answer a wide range of police calls that they routinely face with poise and professionalism.  Partnership-power helps to bring about positive change and to improve conditions in Richmond—and community members make a difference by calling in to report suspicious activity, and by working cooperatively with beat officers and professional police employees.  As always, we deeply appreciate the positive neighborhood feedback that we get on how our employees are providing service and interacting with public.  Please contact me if you have any questions. 

A·B·

 

Allwyn Brown
Deputy Chief

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• POLICE SERVICE OFTEN INVOLVES RESPONDING TO THE UNUSUAL …
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• Wednesday, Mar. 14 – 23:30 hours:  Mysterious train conductor disappearance—officers met a Union Pacific Railroad train engineer and railroad police officers near 5000 Central Ave because the conductor, David ESPINOZA came up missing shortly after their multi-car train stopped temporarily, and while Espinoza was in the process of attaching additional rail cars and inspecting brakes. An exhaustive search of each rail car the entire length of the train turned up Espinoza’s reflective vest, lantern and ball cap on the ground about one-half mile from the front of the train, but no other clues as to Espinoza’s whereabouts or the circumstances of his disappearance. About two hours later, Espinoza called into RPD Communications from a gas station on San Pablo Ave some 3 miles away. Richmond officers met him there and heard conflicting accounts from him about having been assaulted by several males while on the railroad tracks that did not add up, all the while he exhibited pronounced physical symptoms indicative of narcotic intoxication.  Espinoza was driven back to the train and handed over to Union Pacific Railroad police.

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PREVENTNG CRIME INCLUDES CHECKING ON KNOWN REPEAT-OFFENDERS …

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Thursday, Mar. 22:  The Parole Unit conducted a series of compliance checks at the residences of active parolees that resulted in the violations and arrests of Kinesha JOHNSON, 27; Roger MOSS, 22 (sex registrant); Albert CARILLO, 25; Diante KELLY, 23 (validated gang member); and Noah COLLINS, 21 (validated gang member).  Parole detectives were joined in this effort by Officers G. Lewis and O. Johnson (Southern District Foot/Bike/Housing)—two of the arrests came out of the Crescent Park neighborhood, bringing the arrest total for month of March to 18 for the Parole Unit, including 9 parolees-at-large.  Officers Lewis and Johnson’s involvement will move forward working cooperatively with property management to evict persistent problem tenants associated with the arrests under the Crime-Free Multi-housing Program.

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• IMPAIRED DRIVING PUTS THE PUBLIC AT RISK …
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• March 12-18:  Sergeant J. Schlemmer (Traffic Unit) and Officers P. Sanchez and B. Mendler (Traffic Unit/DUI) led the RPD operation to join the statewide Avoid campaign efforts aimed at cracking down on impaired driving over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.  This grant-funded effort resulted in 10 drunken driving arrests in Richmond; investigation of 3 DUI-related traffic collisions; one illegal drug possession arrest; the issuance of 11 traffic citations; and two automobile impounds.  Drunk Driving.  Over The Limit. Under Arrest.
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• Thursday, Mar. 15 – 22:22 hours: Officer R. Krug (Traffic Unit/Motor) and Officer P. Sanchez (Traffic Unit/DUI) investigated a rollover collision involving an impaired driver on Richmond Parkway at Barrett Avenue. Firefighters extricated Edwin MARTINEZ-Aguilar, 23 from his upside down automobile and he was driven by ambulance to a local hospital.  He admitted to having consumed significant quantities of alcoholic beverages prior to the collision.  He was arrested then released on misdemeanor drunk driving charges because he remained hospitalized. 12-21588
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• Friday, Mar. 16 – 21:51 hours: Officers were sent to investigate a non-injury vehicle collision on Ohio Ave at Marina Way.  Officer P. Sanchez (Traffic Unit/DUI) determined through investigation that one of the drivers, Maisha AMIE, 30 was impaired.  She was arrested and booked into the RPD Jail on misdemeanor DUI charges. 12-21804
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• 22:03 hours: Officer E. Bashon (Northern District) stopped an automobile driven by Jose GONZALEZ-Ramos, 26 on 23rd St. near Lincoln Ave for erratic driving.  She enlisted the assistance of Officer B. Mendler (Traffic Unit/DUI) when Gonzalez presented objective symptoms of intoxication.  Gonzalez was arrested and booked into the RPD Jail on misdemeanor DUI charges. 12-21807
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• Saturday, Mar. 17 – 00:06 hours:  Officer E. Moczulski (Southern District) stopped an automobile driven by Jose SEGURA, 20 on Carlson Blvd. near South 47th St. for erratic driving.  He enlisted the assistance of Officer B. Mendler (Traffic Unit/DUI) when Segura presented objective symptoms of intoxication.  Segura was arrested and booked into the RPD Jail on misdemeanor DUI charges. 12-21843

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DOMESTIC & SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS SERIOUS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR …

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• Saturday, Mar. 3 – 08:11 hours:  Officer A. Nath (Northern District Foot/Bike) and Officer A. Barbara (Central District) answered the call of a disturbance at a home on the 900 block of Lassen St.  Clotile Marie DUCRE spent the night in the home of her infant child’s father—despite the fact that he had a restraining order against her, and she was refusing to leave.  When the police showed up, Ducre viciously went after the father—baby in her arms.  Officer Nath rescued the infant, and then the officers peeled Ducre off of the father and arrested her on a felony charge of Domestic Violence based on the traumatic injuries that she inflicted on him.  12-18039
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• Sunday, Mar. 4 - 1:10 hours: Officer J. Galaviz (Southern District) answered the call of a disturbance at South 41st St. and Cutting Blvd, where he contacted a woman who reported having just been abducted by her former live-in boyfriend, Ervin GIRON, 23.  She bolted from his car when it rolled to a stop, but he went after her and a struggled in the street ensued. Officer J. Moody, sent to assist on the call spotted Giron near South 37th St. and Center Ave.  Giron immediately took flight and disappeared, running through residential yards to avoid capture.  Giron remains at large, sought on felony charges including Kidnapping, PC 207; Criminal Threats, PC 422; and Domestic Violence, PC 2273.5.  Officer Galaviz obtained an Emergency Protective Order for the victim. 12-18384
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• Sunday, Mar. 11 - 11:21 hours:  Neighbors phoned in a report of young girl running in and out of a residence on the 2500 block of Hinkley Ave yelling for help for her mother.  Officer S. Stewart (Southern District) arrested Kivon HOLMES, 27 for assaulting his 22 year old female companion with a wine glass, even though she was unwilling to provide details about what had transpired.  Officer Stewart arrested Holmes and booked him into the RPD Jail on a felony charge of Domestic Violence, PC 273.5.  She also obtained an emergency protective order for the female victim. 
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• Saturday, Mar. 17 – 13:39 hours:  Clotile DUCRE, 19 launched a violent attack on her child’s father when he visited her Bell Avenue residence to return their child.  As the man headed for his car to leave, she crept up from behind and pounded him with a crowbar—then, as he drove off she launched an object that struck the side of his head and caused a traumatic injury.  The battered man drove directly to the RPD, where he encountered Officer S. Stewart (Southern District) in the parking lot.  Based on the account of the assault obtained by Officer Stewart, Officer K. Tong and R. Galaviz were dispatched to the crime scene, where they located, detained, and then arrested Ducre.  The victimized father was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.  Arrestee Ducre presented unrelenting verbal and physical opposition to custody by doing things to include rotating her shoulders and arms to bring both handcuffed wrists from back to front; purposefully banging her head against the interior of the patrol cruiser’s rear seat she’d been positioned in; kicking its windows with her feet; and hurling spittle at the officers.  She was repositioned and physically restrained in a Wrap device, then driven directly to MDF, Martinez and booked on felony charges including Domestic Violence, PC 273.5 and Assault With A Deadly Weapon, PC 245a(1).
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• Tuesday, Mar. 27 – 09:15 hours:  Officer T. Kaiser (Southern District) arrested felony probationer Lorenzo THOMAS, 27 at his address of record on multiple felony charges including Domestic Violence and False Imprisonment.  Officer Kaiser obtained a report the day before from his severely beaten girlfriend, whom he was also known to share a domicile with on the 400 block of 37th St.  She had been held against her will for days, and assaulted repeatedly.  Thomas was booked into the RPD Jail, and served with an Emergency Protective Order. 12-24462
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INVESTIGATING CRIME IN THE COMMUNITY …

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• Saturday, Mar. 3 – 14:20 hours:  Sergeant R. Buhlis (Southern District), while traveling on San Pablo Ave near Barrett Ave encountered a 17 year old male juvenile running across the roadway being closely trailed by Vanessa Michelle CONTRERAS, 18.  He managed to stop and detain Contreras, and soon thereafter reports of a shooting at the Wendy’s Restaurant started coming into the Communications Center.  Meanwhile, the male continued in flight on foot through the neighborhood.  The incident involved some sort of dispute between the juvenile and another male that initiated inside of the restaurant—both then stepped outside; the juvenile accompanied by Contreras and the other male, by his wife and two kids.  Without warning, the juvenile showed a pistol that was tucked into the waist band of his trousers—then he removed it, chambered a round and fired one bullet into the leg of the other male.  Additional officers swarmed the area and began a block-by-block search led by Officer W. Jenson (K-9/Northern District) whose partner was quickly tracking the flight path of the juvenile shooter, with the support of the CHP air ship.  The merchant of a 12500 block of San Pablo Ave business soon thereafter alerted the Communications Center to a heavily winded male who had just appeared at the backdoor of the establishment.  Officers rushed to the location in time to encounter the shooting suspect entering an automobile driven by his mother, who he phoned to pick him up while evading police.  He was confronted, and then arrested without incident. The crew of the CHP air ship spotted the discarded firearm used in the assault on a nearby rooftop, which we recovered.  Its loaded magazine was also located and recovered not far away in the hedges of a private residence.  Both Contreras and the male juvenile were booked on a felony charge of Assault With A Firearm, PC 245a(2). 12-18127
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• Sunday, Mar. 4 - 15:46 hours: Officers responded to the call of a man waving a firearm at 8th St. and Lucas Ave. Witnesses reported that Demondre BROWN, 25 pointed a handgun with an extended magazine attached at a group of people while threatening to “kill (them) all.”  He fled before police arrived, but he was spotted driving his car a short time later near  21st St. and MacDonald Ave where he was stopped and taken into custody on a felony charge of Criminal Threats, PC 422. The firearm was not located.  12-18442
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• Monday, Mar. 5 – 17:31 hours:  Officers responded to for a reported forgery in progress at Mechanics Bank on Macdonald Ave, where Eric BATZ, 41 was inside attempting to cash a stolen check.  As the officers began to tactically approach the bank, Batz exited and began running northbound toward Macdonald Ave.  Officer M. Shanks (Northern District) gave foot-chase caught Batz not far from the bank.  He was arrested on felony charges of Burglary, PC 459 and Forgery, PC 470. 12-18781
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• Thursday, Mar. 8 – 12:00 hours: Jesus TORRES, sought on an outstanding warrant of arrest in connection with the February 21, 2012 murder of Rene GARCIA at Shields-Reid Park called and surrendered himself to Sheriff’s deputies at the Safeway store in Rodeo.  CCSO deputies arrested TORRES without incident, and then turned him over to Sergeant S. Johanson and RPD Homicide Unit detectives.  PC 187, 12-15017
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• Friday, Mar. 9 – 09:02 hours:  Neighbors reported an intruder at a home on the 2300 block of McBride Ave—a potential residential burglary in progress.  Officers rushed to the neighborhood and surrounded the house in question.  Officer W. Jenson (K-9/Northern District) gave the standard announcement in advance of entering the premises with his canine partner to perform a search.  The burglar, Pedro BERNAL, 33 surrendered immediately and was arrested without bite contact, and then booked into the RPD Jail on a felony charge of Burglary, PC 459. 12-19801
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• Tuesday, Mar. 13 – 19:30 hours: Detectives of the Gang Unit conducted a search at the Belding-Woods neighborhood home of validated street gang member and convicted felon Demondre BROWN, 25.  They confiscated a loaded Glock pistol outfitted with an illegal, 30-round capacity extended magazine and cocaine packaged for sales.   Brown was arrested and booked on assorted felony charges.
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• Thursday, Mar. 15 – 01:15 hours: The mother of a 15 year old female runaway from Fairfield alerted Communications to information she had just become aware of suggesting that her daughter was being held against her will someplace in Richmond by a man named Linjee WHITE, 18.  Officers P. Davis and J. Bruce (Southern District) were able to associate the name with a residence on Martin Luther King Jr. Way in short order, and thereafter made contact with White at the location. After circumventing White’s stonewalling, they searched the premises and located the female inside. She was rescued, and White arrested on felony charges including Rape, PC 261 and Human Trafficking, PC 236.1.  12-21070

Friday, Mar. 16 – 10:08 hours:  Neighbors phoned in the report of a house break-in happening now at a residence on the 2900 block of Florida Ave.  A neighbor reported seeing the burglar flee from the home and head north through the yard and into the block as officers were descending on the neighborhood and cordoning off its vicinity.  Shortly thereafter, the resident of a nearby home phoned in to report noises underneath their home.  Meanwhile, Officer W. Jensen (Northern District/ K-9) and canine partner “Axl” were tracking the flight path of the burglar, which led to a crawl space underneath the home of the caller.  Axl alerted to the presence of the burglar, a 17 year old male hiding in the crawl space.  He surrendered to police and was arrested without canine bite contact, then booked on a felony charge of Burglary, PC 459.

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Monday, Mar. 19 – 10:00 hours: Officer J. Pineda (Central District) assisted deputies from the Napa County Sheriff’s Office at a residence on the 500 block of 5th St., where they executed a search warrant for the premises in furtherance of an on-going investigation into a cock-fighting ring.  They seized four dogs and over 100 roosters, with the assistance of Contra Costa County Animal Services.

• 23:46 hours:  A 20-year old woman managed to use her cellular telephone to call RPD Communications from an automobile being driven by Lewis Ray COLEMAN, 36 to ask for help, unbeknownst to Coleman.  She got to know Coleman earlier in the day and had been with him consensually, but then she began to feel uneasy so she tried to get out of the car, which set Coleman off.  He physically restrained her, prevented her exit, and threatened her life.  Police officers intercepted the automobile near 21st St. and Barrett Ave.  Officer P. Davis (Southern District) rescued the female and arrested Coleman, who turned out to be on active parole, and the car that he was driving was a reported stolen auto from Richmond.  He was booked into the RPD Jail on felony charges including False Imprisonment, PC 236.1 and Auto Theft, CVC 10851.  12-22686
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• Thursday, Mar. 29 – 01:10 hours:  As Officer D. Hembree (Central District) arrived on the 500 block of 22nd St. to recover a parked, unoccupied stolen auto, he saw parolee Mernard WASHINGTON, 29 access its passenger’s compartment using a key.  Officer Hembree arrested Washington, and then confiscated car-boosting tools from his person.  He was booked into the RPD Jail on felony charges.  12-24816
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PRO ACTIVE POLICING REMOVES CRIME GUNS FROM OUR COMMUNITY …

• Thursday, Mar. 8 - 15:45 hours: Detectives M. Anderson and C. Llamas (Gang Unit) initiated a traffic enforcement stop on the auto driven by known validated street gang member Sithiphon YOMMALT at 13th St. and Esmond Ave.  He was carrying a loaded Glock .45 pistol in the waistband of his trousers.  Yommalt was arrested without incident and the firearm confiscated.  He was booked into the RPD Jail.  12-19641 
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• Thursday, Mar. 15 – 17:11 hours:  Officer D. Sanchez (Central District) and Officer B. Zeidan (CSI) investigated the report of three suspicious males armed with firearms near 9th St. and Lincoln Ave.  The three spotted the arriving police cars and immediately ran for refuge inside of a Triangle Court housing unit.  The resident allowed the officers to enter.  They contacted and arrested Rodell EDWARDS III on a felony charges including Possession of a Loaded Firearm by an Ex-felon, and they recovered.38 caliber revolver. 12-21572
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• Monday, Mar. 19 – 00:33 hours: A neighbor from the 1400 block of Chanslor Ave phoned in a report to Communications of a man walking in the area carrying a firearm.  Officers spotted parolee Mario DELACRUZ, 27 walking on Marina Way near Chanslor Ave and they detained him because his appearance matched the physical description provided by the caller.  He was wearing a modified, loaded shotgun fitted with a shoulder sling underneath his poncho.  Delacruz was arrested without incident and booked into the RPD Jail on felony firearms possession charges.   12-22405
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• 23:12 hours:  Sergeant E. Barragan (Northern District) led the police response to a disturbance call involving a man—a known parolee wielding a firearm at the Triangle Court housing complex.  Their subsequent inquiries led them to an apartment unit associated with the parolee, where they discovered a loaded firearm—an illegal assault weapon loaded with an illegal high-capacity magazine that they were able to associate to Hishima SMALL, 24—not the parolee.  Small was arrested and booked into the RPD Jail on felony weapons charges. 12-22680
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POLICE - COMMUNITY TIES …

Friday—Sunday, Mar 9 - 11: RPD Explorer Post 110 participated in the 4th annual Central Valley Law Enforcement Explorer Competition in Tulare. Our 20 program participants had there skills tested in numerous events against those of more than 350 of their counterparts representing 19 different posts from localities up and down the state.  Under the direct guidance of explorer advisors Officer R. Hernandez, Detective M. Hall, Officer J. Tong, Detective M. Bailey and civilian advisor Carmen Santana, here is how they did:

• Building Search: 2nd Place
• Traffic Stop (nighttime): 2nd Place 
• Crisis Negotiations: 2nd Place 
• Explorer Ride-a-Long: 2nd Place
• Hazardous Response: 2nd Place 
• Domestic Violence: 3rd Place 
• Civilian Advisor Obstacle Course: 3rd Place (Civilian Advisor Carmen Santana)
• Shooting Skills: 5th Place
• Overall: 5th Place   

 

Our program is re-building and under new leadership, with far fewer members than in years past—and most current members are of relative short tenure.  Our explorer post is young and small in numbers as compared to many other posts, who as a matter of routine only enter their top and most senior explorers into these types of competitions.  Many thanks to our explorer advisor corps for their time and effort in getting our young people prepared to compete with their counterparts up and down the state.   Police Exploring exposes young people to the nobleness of justice careers, but more importantly it helps to prepare them to compete effectively in life.  

Thursday, Mar. 29:  Momentum for the Straight A’s Program:  Professional football player Vernon Davis of the San Francisco 49ers was on hand at the Crescent Park Community Center to announce financial support for remodeling the computer lab used by the young residents of the neighborhood.  Straight A’s began as an innovative idea of Officer G. Lewis (Southern District Foot/Bike/Housing) a little more than a year ago aimed at the 400 children who live in Crescent Park in order to promote academic achievement, safety and civility toward others, and to encourage youth to avoid unlawful activity and delinquency.  The program has 59 active participants.

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OTHER NOTEWORTHY POLICE ACTIVITIES…

Mar. 14: RPD joined local, state and federal law enforcement partners in supporting Operation RAIL SAFE, an Amtrak Police Department exercise designed to familiarize agencies with regional and local rail stations and railroad rights-of-way throughout the Amtrak system.  It also provides a show of force that can have the effect of throwing potential pre-attack terrorist surveillance operations off balance.   RAIL SAFE = Regional Alliance Including Local, State and Federal Efforts.

Mar. 16: Lieutenant M. Booker and Sergeant B. Dickerson (Youth Services Division) sought after and secured a grant that connected the RPD with a no-cost training program called “Connecting Cops & Kids,” which was presented to our police officers.  The day-long training is designed to raise officers’ awareness of the tremendous impact their presence has on children, and to show how basic knowledge of children’s development can enhance an officer’s impact, safety and ability to achieve law enforcement goals.  The program is supported by the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office and National League of Cities.
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LETTERS FROM COMMUNITY RESIDENTS…

From: Rhody McCoy
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 1:28 PM
To: Anthony Williams
Subject: Appreciation for Officer G. Colbacchini

Anthony,

I would like for Officer G. Colbacchini’s Commander to know what an extraordinary job she did today working with an indigent client her at Rubicon. I believe she demonstrated a perfect example of community policing. She showed legitimate concern and exhibited outstanding decision making as she navigated an extremely complex situation. Would you be so kind to make sure this goes to the appropriate person.

Sincerely,
Rhody

Rhody McCoy
Richmond Integrated Services Manager
Rubicon Programs
101 Broadway
Richmond, CA 94804

510.412.XXXX office
510.412.XXXX fax
415. 235.XXXX cell
xxxx@rubiconprograms.org
www.rubiconprograms.org

 

From: Melissa Caine-Huckabay 
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 11:52 AM
To: Manjit Sappal
Cc: Bisa French
Subject: Quick feedback

Hi Captain,  

I wanted to send you a quick note letting you know that over the last several months the FJC team and I have been particularly impressed with the efforts of three of the officers in your district.  While many officers have referred victims to the co-located services at FJC, officers Campos, Nath, and Roderick have on numerous occasions gone above and beyond what would be considered providing victims with sufficient information and resources.  All three officers have actively encouraged victims to access FJC resources and have helped link victims with critical services for enhancing victim safety (e.g., restraining orders, modifying child custody orders, shelter, injury documentation, etc.).  In several instances the victim identified the referring officer as the key deciding factor in their reason for seeking services. In the last six months RPD patrol officers account for 18% of all referrals to the FJC; referrals from Officers Campos, Nath, and Roderick account for nearly half of that number. 

I wanted to let you know that on behalf of myself and the entire FJC team, we appreciate all their efforts and their good work.  
--
Thanks,

Melissa Caine-Huckabay, MPA
Project Director
West Contra Costa Family Justice Center
(510) 965-XXXX- direct
(510) 685-XXXX- cell
xxxx@gmail.com
The following were submitted to the RPD website, Compliment an RPD Employee link:

Your Name:: Melanie Hollingshead

Employee's Name:: Security Pacific Real Estate

Location of Incident:: Homr

Date of Incident:: 3/12/2012

Time of Incident:: 10:30 pm

Your Comments:: Officer Nay (may have misspelled) was the kindest and most understanding police officer I have ever meet. We almost lost our son that night and the officer talked to my husband and I and was full of wisdom and kindness. Thank you very much for all your great words.

Your Email Address:: Melaniehollingshead@XXX.com

Officer J. Ney is assigned to Patrol Division, Northern District.

Your Name:: Kara Atkinson

Employee's Name:: G. Googins

Location of Incident:: Point Richmond

Date of Incident:: 03/13/2012

Time of Incident:: 1:00

Your Comments:: I was with my kids and saw Detective Googins. He took time out of his busy schedule to talk to my sons about his job and even handed out stickers. He was very friendly and professional. He is an asset to the city of Richmond and your Police Department.

Your Email Address:: karaatkinson@XXX.com

Detective G. Googins is assigned to the Property Crimes Unit.