Divisions and Special Units
Outlined below are the divisions of the Newport Police Department: the Operations Division (comprised of Traffic, Criminal Investigation, and Records), and the Patrol Division.
Also provided below are overviews of the Special Units: Bicycle Patrol, Canine, Chaplains, Field Training Program, Firearms Training Officers, Honor Guard, School Resource Officers, and SWAT.
Chief's Office
The Chief's Office oversees and directs the operation of all divisions within the Newport Police Department. The Chief's Secretary is responsible for the office management of the Chief's Office and for the maintenance and archiving of all Chief's records, personnel files and other documents in the Chief's Office.
Thomas Collins
Chief of Police
859.292.3625
Lt. Col. David Garnick
859.655.2009
Kim Colston
Chief's Secretary
859.292.3625
Operations Division
The Operations Division is the support services branch of the Police Department, responsible for various tasks that facilitate the overall functions of the agency. Comprised of several sections, this division handles the majority of the “behind the scenes” activities that keep the more visible divisions of the department operating smoothly. Cheif Tom Collins commands this division.
•Accreditation Section: Responsible for the completion and maintenance of the agency’s Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police (KACP) and Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accreditation programs.
•Fiscal Section: Responsible for overseeing the fiscal affairs of the Police Department and Community Services Division. This includes but is not limited to payroll, purchasing and budget development/management.
•Records Section: Responsible for the processing of all reports that are completed by the agency, greeting/processing citizens’ requests for assistance, scheduling of bar/cab ID applicants, and the maintenance of the archived central records of the department.
•Training/Property Section: Schedules and conducts mandated continuing training for departmental members, maintains training records and acts as a liaison between the department and court system. This section also maintains the chain of custody of evidence, storage of confiscated property and the inventory of items on hand.
•Communications Liaison: Maintains a link between the department and the Consolidated Dispatch Center. This position provides CAD/RMS computer system support to the center as well as ensures that the communications needs of the department are met.
In addition, the division is responsible for the agency’s crime analysis, crime prevention programs, updating of policies and procedures, staff inspections, and planning.
Operations Division Personnel
Captain Herschel Day
Property and Evidence Management/ Fleet Manager
859.292.3629
Traffic Enforcement Section
Derick Dieters
Citation Officer
(859) 292-3680
Robert Steffen, Traffic Technician
Criminal Investigations Section
Cpl. Larry Long
Division Commander
859.655.2020
The Criminal Investigations Section is responsible for follow-up investigations of reported offenses, as well as a variety of preliminary investigations. The members of the section are available 24-hours per day to provide investigative assistance to the police department as well as other outside agencies.
Activities of the Criminal Investigations Section include:
•Preliminary and follow-up investigations of crimes and subsequent case preparation
•Processing of crime scenes
•Processing of crime scenes
•Regulation of liquor and vice activities
•Background investigations for potential city employees
•Investigation of missing person cases
•Processing of gun registrations and pawn shop reports
•Participation in the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force
•Narcotics, Human Trafficking, and Abuse cases
Officers of the Criminal Investigations Section
Det. Dennis McCarthy
859.655.2018
Det. Robert Sewell
859.655.2008
Det. Renee South
859.655.3626
Narcotics Division:
Desk: 859.655.2048
Drug tip line: 859.444.4597
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Crime Tip Line
All calls go directly into a voicemail so the caller can leave a message. Calls are confidential and the caller's personal information remains anonymous. Tips can be left 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Messages are checked daily by police personnel. 859.261.TIPS ... 859.261.8477
If you SEE something, SAY something!
Records Section
The Records Section is the first point of contact for most people visiting the city building. The staff greets visitors and processes requests for information, such as record checks and copies of reports, and directs inquiries to the appropriate offi ce. They are also responsible for the data entry of virtually all records generated by the police department, to include: offense reports, accident reports, arrests, bar and cab registrations, parking tickets, impound records and code enforcement violations.
This section works with the state regarding data quality of information submitted to the FBI through the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and assists other agencies in Campbell County in the management of the county-wide offense and arrest records database.
Over the last several years, the storage of the vast amount of records, both current and historical, has been a growing issue. Alternatives to off-site storage are being explored in order to improve the security and ease of access to these records.
Patrol Division
Capt. Gregory Ripberger
Commander
859.292.3628
A partial listing of tasks performed by this division is:
•Preventive patrol oriented toward prevention of crime and accidents, maintenance of public order, the discovery of hazards and delinquency-causing situations;
•Crime prevention activities;
•Response to calls for emergency and non-emergency services;
•Investigation of crimes, offenses, incidents and conditions, including arresting offenders;
•Traffic direction and control;
•Regulation of certain businesses or activities as required by law;
•Reporting of information to appropriate organizational components;
•School Resource Officers
The Patrol Division is the largest division within the Newport Police Department. The division provides uniformed offi cers, who respond to calls for service 24-hours a day. The Patrol Division is well known for providing traditional police services, i.e. crime suppression, accident investigations and assisting motorists. They play an important role in quality of life issues throughout Newport, such as the removal of junked vehicles, graffi ti removal, litter control, as well as assisting Code Enforcement with housing violations. Newport is evolving into one of the most livable cities in Northern Kentucky. The men and women of the Newport Patrol Division take seriously their responsibilities in making Newport a friendly and safe community.
Platoon Commanders
859.292.3629
Platoon Supervisors
859.292.3629
Special Units
Bicycle Patrol
The Bicycle Patrol Program was established in 1993 and is the first program of its kind in the Tri-State area. The unit has served as a model for creating numerous other departments’ bicycle patrol teams. Currently staffed by five active riders, team supervisor and assistant team supervisor, the unit has been an integral part of the department’s Community Policing, crime prevention, and crime interdiction strategy.
The bicycle patrol participates in many community events, including: National Night Out, Newport Annual Bike Rodeo, Newport Citizen’s Police Academy and various parades. Members give instructional demonstrations to schools, social and civic groups, with positive reception by all.
Under the supervision of Sgt. Hood, the Bicycle Unit has been a valuable asset to the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force and Newport SWAT Team in high-risk drug searches by monitoring locations to be searched prior to deployment and apprehension of suspects.
Canine Unit
The Newport Police Department Canine Unit was implemented June 1, 1993 and has been a very effective and active unit. The Canine Unit consists of Officer Chris Gallichio and partner “Bax”. The Canine Unit performs tasks such as building searches, crowd control, tracking, locating both criminals and evidence, and the detection of illegal drugs. The unit is also very active in the community in conducting demonstrations for local organizations and schools. The Canine Unit has apprehended numerous criminals and located a significant amount of narcotics since its inception.
Chaplains Program
The Chaplains Program began in August, 1986 as a result of a recognized need seen by our department and an interest brought forth by several local clergy persons. The program is aimed at providing a clergy counseling service to both the police and civilian community. It involves a select group of clergy who are provided the essential guidelines in handling emergency matters such as: death notifications, aggravated domestic problems, attempted suicides, etc. The Chaplains Program has several active clergy. This service provides a responsible, denominationally endorsed member of the clergy who is available to assist police when requested.
Field Training Program
The Field Training Program is an integral part of the total selection process of a police officer. After graduation from the Police Basic Training Academy, recruits must successfully complete the Field Training Program. The program is designed to produce officers who can work by themselves in a safe, skillful and professional manner. The Field Training Program lasts for 14 weeks. The recruit must ride with several different Field Training Officers (F.T.O.). The F.T.O. evaluates the recruit’s performance based on approved criteria. Once the recruit officer successfully completes the Field Training Program, he/she is certified to ride “solo”.
Lt. Col. Garnick
Commander
859.655.2009
Firearms Training Officers
The Firearms Officers provide firearms training, along with Defensive Tactics training, to all members of the department. They develop training programs, qualification courses and maintain training records. The Firearms Training Unit provided training to all Newport police officers. This program consists of: Use of force policies, handgun and shotgun training, stress management, decision making skills, firearms safety, PR-24 and ASP baton training and defensive tactics. The department partners with the Kentucky League of Cities for the use of their Firearm Decision Making Skills (FATS) equipment to assist in our training.
The Newport Police Department firing range is open to all officers in Northern Kentucky. The agencies that used our facilities include: Campbell County Police Department, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshall’s Office, Ft. Thomas, Wilder, Dayton, Southgate and Falmouth Police Department.
Members of the Newport Citizens Police Academy were also given a period of instruction on firearms. They were then allowed to participate in practical exercises involving the FATS system, as well as live-fire exercises with the Glock 19 handgun and Remington 870 shotgun.
Honor Guard
The Honor Guard, which formed in 1999, is charged with commemorating the past, present and future of the Newport Police Department. The unit performed at numerous ceremonies that included colors presentation, 21-gun salutes, funeral details, and several military memorial services. The Honor Guard has received many commendations from the public and continues to receive requests for events.
The Honor Guard is committed to preserving the proud heritage and traditions of the Newport Police Department.
Newport SWAT Team
The Newport S.W.A.T. Team is comprised of Newport Police Officers who receive specialized training to be better prepared for high risk situations. S.W.A.T. team members are highly trained to use advanced, non-conventional tactics to resolve high risk and intense situations. All Officers assigned to the S.W.A.T. team are carefully selected and must meet and maintain mandatory criteria standards of law enforcement experience, physical fitness, and firearms proficiency.
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