2021 Annual Report - El Paso Police Department

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El Paso Police Department

Airport

Special Services Division

Special Traffic Investigation Cases Assigned (Hit-and-Run/DWI) Fatalities Investigated Traffic Fatalities Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities Speed-Related Traffic Fatalities Call-Outs

With the addition of the Passenger Screening Canines came the ELP TSA K9 Volunteer Decoy Program. The decoy program brings in community volunteers to act as passengers. The volunteers are fitted with training aids and put the PSC teams to the test in real-time, real-world training scenarios. Volunteers come from all walks of life and are all part of the El Paso community. The ELP TSA K9 Volunteer Decoy Program is a collaborative effort between the El Paso Police Department, the El Paso International Airport, and the Transportation Security Administration. In 2021, the ELP TSA Explosive Detection Canine Unit obtained two new K9s, K9 Brita and K9 Laky. Officer Nevarez retired his partner, K9 Mira, to the comforts of his family’s home. He then transitioned to, and certified with, K9 Brita. Officer R. Looney completed the 4-month initial handler certification training and was paired with K9 Laky. The teams responded to three large-scale callouts that met the TSA criteria for EDC searches: Community College Early College, Speaking Rock Casino, and a bomb threat requiring the search of 12 passenger aircraft on the ground. The teams conducted VIP sweeps for numerous government officials, including the Vice President, the DHS Secretary, and various ranking senators and representatives. The teams conducted sweeps for eight concerts at the Don Haskins Center, a professional NHL game held at the County Colosseum, the Sun Bowl Game, and the El Paso Winterfest Light Parade. The teams also provided sweeps for funerals and honors of local law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Special Traffic Investigations (STI) began using a FARO 3D Scanner to enhance our Crash investigations. This new technology allows STI to quickly capture the scene in virtual 3D detailing the roadway, vehicles, and environment. This allows accurate measurements for the crash reconstruction which will allow anyone who views this 3D presentation to have a better understanding of that crash scene. The scanner also captures the scene quicker than the total station surveying equipment, which then allows us to open roadways sooner.

3,920 85

K9 Brita

K9 Nik

K9 Fantom

75 28 32 109

Hours Trained Officer Cano & K9 Nik Officer Goroeoff & K9 Fantom Officer Looney & K9 Laky Officer Nevarez & K9 Brita Sergeant Melendez & K9 Riki Total Hours Trained

1,446 1,757 436 1,437 1,795 8,611

The ELP TSA Explosives Detection Program is a collaboration between the Transportation Security Administration, the El Paso International Airport, and the El Paso Police Department. El Paso Police Department officers are sent to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX for their initial handler certification. Upon completion, the handlers are paired with TSA-owned canines and deployed within the El Paso International Airport. The ELP TSA Explosive Detection Canine (EDC) Unit currently has two teams, Officer M. Goroeoff with K9 Fantom and Officer A. Nevarez with K9 Brita. These teams are able to use currents in the air to detect explosive residue. Their primary duty is within the El Paso International Airport, but they can operate throughout the transportation system. In 2021, the ELP TSA Explosive Detection Program expanded to include Passenger Screening Canines (PSC). Passenger Screening Canines are able to utilize the same skills as the Explosive Detection Canines to detect explosives, but they are specifically trained to work in and around passengers and people. This expansion has allowed the ELP TSA K9 program to add an additional layer of security by screening passengers in the real-time travel environment.

The El Paso Police Department’s Safe Communities section focuses on community partnerships and participation in developing strategies that respond to the community’s traffic safety needs, with

The program’s goal is to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities within the city of El Paso. Safe Communities seeks to assist and/or reduce and prevent traffic fatalities and serious injuries including pedestrians’ deaths by making the public aware of local ordinances, laws, and prevention efforts that the community can participate in. Safe Communities works diligently to change and influence behaviors that contribute to fatalities and injury regarding pedestrian safety, risk of bicycle and vehicle collision, and other related and preventable traffic incidents. The purpose of Safe Communities is to create and build on safe behaviors that include the use of child restraints, seatbelts, and the understanding of local laws and requirements that could encourage the community to participate and/or change their old behaviors into new and improved safe behaviors. Safe Communities works hard with community-based resources and grants from community partners like State Farm to purchase educational material and traffic safety-related equipment, to utilize in local events that are intended to support safe behaviors thereby reducing traffic-related fatalities and injuries.

Searches

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an emphasis on building safe, resilient, and traffic smarter communities. The program’s purpose is to address community concerns and to engage, educate and promote traffic safety awareness through education, prevention, and intervention. Safe Communities focuses on the education, distribution of promotional material, and campaigns that stress prevention and safety in the following areas: Driving While Intoxicated, Underage Drinking and Driving, Speeding, Distracted Driving, Pedestrian, Seatbelt and Car Seat Safety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program shifted to a virtual format and engaged in inclusive virtual community engagements.

Safe Communities

Safe Communities Meetings & Trainings

K9 Laky

K9 Riki

241 99 123 14,550 320 45

Community Events Total Presentations

Participants Aged 0-18 Participants Aged 19-65 Participants Older than 65

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2021 Annual Report

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