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Author: Scott Williams, Chief of Police

The Collinsville Police Department is actually an organization made up of several internal departments: patrol, communications, and clerical.  For the past several decades, Collinsville operated like most police departments in having these separate internal components.

During the past year, the Police Department embarked on a new approach by implementing a team concept towards our operations. This team building program consisted of merging the patrol division, our communications division and the clerical division.

Brief history:

In the past, the Patrol Division worked 12 hour shifts: 6:00 am - 6:00 pm, and 6:00 pm - 6:00 am.  The Communications Division worked 8 hour shifts: 6:00 am - 2:00 pm, 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm, and 10:00 pm - 6:00 am.  The Clerical Division worked 8 hour shifts: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm, 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm, and 11:00 pm - 7:00 am.

Effective operations require that all three divisions work closely together, but the three separate shifts did not permit a cohesive working relationship.  In 2008, the Department took on the responsibility of creating a joint communication center for police and fire. This joint communication center created an opportunity to restructure how the Department conducts operations.

The team concept for operations required a complete overhaul of the working schedules in the Communications and the Clerical divisions.  The Department operates four separate patrol squads comprised of six police officers and a sergeant.  In the past, each Patrol Squad would work with a different Telecommunicator and a different Clerk on each shift.  The new model assigned two Telecommunicators and one Clerk to each Patrol Squad.

The Police Department believes that this team approach to operations will allow each patrol team and its collective members to build a much closer working relationship. The Department will monitor this new approach to ensure that operations are running smoothly. To date, the general consensus from the team members is very favorable.

The Police Department has elected to move forward with a team building approach in those areas where the concept shows promise. This effort is an offshoot of the Team approach implemented three years ago at City Hall.

Author: Scott Williams, Chief of Police

Spring time has arrived and Summer is just around the corner.  With the arrival of nice weather, comes an increased volume of traffic on City streets.  This time of year can be very challenging for the Police Department regarding traffic crashes.  In response, we have once again kicked off our Spring traffic enforcement effort.

During the last four years, the traffic crash rate has slowly declined, mainly due to the efforts of our Patrol Division’s traffic enforcement.  The Department will be focusing on three primary enforcement efforts:
• Speeding
• Failure to stop at stop signs
• Seat belts

These three issues contribute to a majority of the traffic crashes that happen in Collinsville.  Please help the Police Department keep our City safe by paying close attention to traffic laws.

Author:  Scott Williams, Chief of Police

In 2008, Collinsville police telecommunicators handled over 35,000 incidents.  These included police, fire, and EMS calls.  From the time each call was received until it was cleared, a police telecommunicator (T/C) handled all radio and telephone traffic arising from that incident.  In doing so, the 9 full-time and 2 part-time T/Cs of the Collinsville Police Department served as the “life line” to all police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and members of the public on the scene, getting all necessary public safety personnel and all emergency equipment that was needed to each call.  Sometimes the job of a public safety telecommunicator can be extremely stressful.  They are truly the “unsung heroes” behind the scenes of public safety services.

To recognize the vital work done by Telecommunicators, Congress has designated April 12-18, Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.  To bring attention to the T/Cs of the Collinsville Police Department, T/C Lisa Kirk and T/C Devon Barber put together a program of instruction that they will present in Unit 10 elementary schools and in Collinsville area senior citizen centers throughout the remaining school year and summer.  The program will focus on the work of telecommunicators and the proper use of the 911 emergency phone system.  Each year, the Collinsville Police Department receives in excess of 11,000 calls placed to the 911 system.  About half of those are not actual emergency calls.  To educate the public and to reduce the number of non-emergency calls being placed to 911, T/C Kirk and T/C Barber will discuss what is and what is not an emergency situation and how to best use the 911 system.

On Wednesday, April 8, T/C Kirk and T/C Barber kicked-off their presentations at John Renfro Elementary School.  With the assistance of Principal John Griffith, T/C Kirk and T/C Barber delivered their presentation to kids in 1st through 4th grades.  By all accounts, the presentations were both fun and successful for all. 

 

Contact:  Major Tom Coppotelli
200 W. Clay St.
Collinsville, IL 62234
618-344-2131

The Collinsville Police will be stepping on its enforcement actions concerning handicap parking and the illegal use of handicap placards. We feel this is a matter that needs to be addressed and want to make sure that those people who use handicap parking stalls are entitled to do so. When someone unlawfully uses a parking stall by having a parking placard displayed under false pretense it causes those who are entitled a large inconvenience and is illegal. Below is a reminder of some of the facts.

• Minimum parking violation fine is $250.00, higher if posted.
• Officer can request driver or occupant(s) to present photo ID in order to verify the handicapped person is in the   vehicle utilizing the placard.
• Handicapped person must be present for placard to be used.
• Placards are not transferable and can only be used by the person it was issued to.

What can happen if someone illegally uses a placard ? (625 ILCS 5/11-1301.a)
 
• Placard can be confiscated by police and returned to Secretary of State.
• $500.00 fine (1st time offender)
• DL administratively suspended for 3 months (1st time offender)
• Placard could also be suspended

 

On February 5 2009, Assistant Chief of Police Terry Bell retired and became the new Chief of Police in Highland, Illinois.  He had served with the Collinsville Police Department since 1988 and during his twenty year career, rose through the ranks to become the Assistant Chief of Police in 2005.  As a result of his move to Highland, several officers were recently promoted. 

Lieutenant Tom Coppotelli, a member of the Department since 1990, has been promoted to Assistant Chief of Police.  A brief summary of his career is listed below:
• Worked as a Patrol Officer for 5 years until his assignment to the Detective Division; 
• Served 2 years in a Drug Enforcement Agency Narcotics Task Force until promoted to Sergeant; and
• Assumed command of a patrol squad until he was assigned as the Detective Sergeant where he spent 4 months until his promotion to a Lieutenant.

Sergeant Dave Roth, began his career with the Department in 1989, and has been promoted to the Lieutenant position; prior to this promotion he:
• Served as a Patrol Officer for two and a half years until his assignment with the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois;
• Served 2 years with a Drug Enforcement Agency Narcotics Task Force until his promotion to a Sergeant and assumed command of a patrol squad; and
• Was assigned as the Detective Sergeant where he served for 6 years until returning as a Shift Commander where he remained until his current promotion. 

Officer Brett Boerm, a member of the Department since 2000, was promoted to Sergeant.  Prior to his promotion he:
• Served as a Patrol Officer for 2 years until his assignment to the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois where he served for 6 years, eventually attaining the rank of Deputy Director; and
• Returned to the Patrol Division where he worked until his current promotion and has assumed command of a patrol shift.

Town Hall Meetings - The Police Department is partnering with the Community Development Department to create a program that will allow citizens to communicate directly with Department officials.  The program kicked off in January and will consist of several Town Hall Meetings directed at specific neighborhoods.  There will hopefully be six to eight meetings throughout the year which are aimed at creating solutions to quality of life issues in our City neighborhoods.

The first Town Hall meeting was held on Wednesday, January 28 at the Senior Citizen’s Center and focused on the Mill Hill area.  The Department mailed letters to all neighbors inviting them to this special meeting and twenty three people braved the winter weather to attend.

The meeting provided a great exchange of information between residents and the Police / Community Development Departments. There were several ideas generated that have great potential for solving these neighborhood problems and a follow up letter and meeting will be arranged to keep residents involved in this process. 

If you would like to put your neighborhood on the list for a future Town Hall Meeting, please contact Police Chief Scott Williams, swilliams@ci.collinsville.il.us or Assistant Community Development Director/City Planner Mitch Bair, mbair@ci.collinsville.il.us.

 

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Major Tom Coppotelli

200 W. Clay Street

Collinsville, IL 62234

618-344-2131

 

I would like to congratulate Officer Doug Talbot for being named Officer of the Month for January, 2009. Sergeant Zaber nominated him for this award.

His overall effort in January is recognized as a shining example of a well-rounded officer who is motivated to make a difference in the community.

He had sixteen arrests and generated one hundred twenty three incidents for the month. In addition he conducted fifty two traffic stops. He leads his crew on overall arrest and citations. When considering the quality of officers he was up against this is an accomplishment to be proud off! 

Through his efforts he earned three well deserved ACE points for the month and set a fine example for other officers to follow. His dedication to the job and his work ethic should be inspirational to others.

Author:  Scott Williams, Chief of Police

During 2009 the Collinsville Police Department is beginning a series of Town Hall Meetings geared towards a better understanding of neighborhood issues.  The Department hopes to host six such meetings in 2009 with the first one scheduled on Wednesday, January 28, 2009.  Meeting notices were mailed to 185 households in and around a neighborhood on the southeast corner of Collinsville.

The format of the meeting will allow residents to hear about efforts by the Police Department and the Community Development Department in this particular area. There will be time available for residents to address their concerns.

The Department hopes to achieve a closer relationship with the residents of City neighborhoods. The Town Hall format will allow the free flow of information for all concerned parties. If you receive a Town Hall Meeting notice for your neighborhood, or you would be interested in having a Town Hall Meeting hosted by the Police Department, please contact Chief Scott Williams, 618-344-2131 or swilliams@ci.collinsville.il.us.

Police Chief Scott Williams

POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT:

Beginning on March 3, 2009 the Collinsville Police Department will be hosting its 8th Citizens Police Academy.  The program, which will be taught by officers from the Collinsville Police Department along with guest speakers from other agencies, is designed to give Collinsville residents a realistic view of police work by providing instruction on different aspects of Law Enforcement.    

Academy classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30PM – 9:00PM, starting March 3rd through April 28th at the Collinsville Police Department training room.  A minimum enrollment of 15 students will be required to hold the Academy, and a maximum class size will be limited to 25 students.

Enrollment is free.   Priority will be given to citizens 18 years of age or older who live or work in the Collinsville area. 

**Note:  Due to the nature of the course and curriculum, individuals with prior felony charges or convictions will be declined.

Applications are due NO later than February 20, 2009.  Interested persons are encouraged to come up to to the Collinsville Police Department and pick up an application. If you have any questions regarding the Citizens Academy class please contact Sergeant David Roth, at (618) 344-2131. 

** It is anticipated the Collinsville Police Department will conduct its 9th Citizens Police Academy beginning October 6, 2009.

Citizens Academy Schedule - Subject to Change!!!!

March 03, 2009 - Opening Night/Station Tour etc.     
March 10, 2009 - Firearms Display/Training
March 24, 2009 - Criminal Patrol/K9
March 31, 2009 - Major Case Squad           
April 07, 2009  - Defensive Driving  
April 14, 2009  - Crime Scene Processing Investigations
April 21, 2009  - OPEN FOR SUGGESTIONS
April 28, 2009  - Graduation Ceremony   

Citizens Academy Schedule - Subject to Change!!!

October 06, 2009 - Opening Night/Station Tour etc.
October 13, 2009 - Firearms Display/Training
October 20, 2009 - Criminal Patrol/K9
October 27, 2009 - Major Case Squad
November 03, 2009 - Defensive Driving 
November 10, 2009 - Crime Scene Processing Investigations
November 17, 2009 - OPEN FOR SUGGESTIONS
November 24, 2009 - Graduation Ceremony

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