This is the personal blog I kept of activities and thoughts while I was the Chief of Police in a small Southeastern Missouri town.
Friday, July 11, 2008
City Computers
Topix is a very destructive website. People get on it and make outlandish accusations against one another. It is very addicting in nature. I myself at times have gone there and read the latest gossip. On one occasion a crime was mentioned and I posted to an individual that they needed to get a hold of me, which they did. The nature of a site like Topix is, as I said, very destructive.
In compliance with the Mayor's lawful order, on 7/11/2008 I went a step further and had the computers at the Bloomfield Police Department to electronically block all users from access to Topix.
I would like to add that the computers in our office are a necessary part of day to day operations.
We log all calls for service, racial profiling, accident reports, business security checks, and all criminal reports. We also maintain a database of names and businesses. We also calculate and submit UCR reports which are mandated by the government. Monthly reports are also generated and submitted. Soon State DWI tracking reports may be submitted.
In the months to come an RFID Business security check system called "GuardScan" will be implemented. This will increase patrol productivity and accountability. Also a GPS logging system may also be utilized to study patrol routines and increase productivity. I have found ways to initiate these two programs at very little cost.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Two Arrested for Distribution
According to Bloomfield Chief of Police Jason Curtman, following the tip, Officer Travis Stafford observed the suspect driving his vehicle through a stop sign and pulled him over.
Following a search of the vehicle, police discovered 11-1 ounce bags of marijuana and a set of digital scales used for weighing the drugs. Police also seized two-ounces of marijuana from someone the accused had sold to only moments before.
Police arrested Michael Wayne Houston, 34 of Bloomfield, and charged him with distribution of a controlled substance. Brian Eugene Turner, 34 of Bloomfield, was also charged with distribution of a controlled substance. Both men are currently housed in Stoddard County Jail with bond set at $125,000.
Curtman said that Asst. Chief Cheryl Malone had been working on this case for quite some time when the tip came in.
Police value the marijuana at approximately $1,235, or 12 ounces between the 13 bags collected.
Curtman said he was very pleased with his department's performance and quick action. He said he also wanted to thank the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department for their work in transporting the suspects.
"Cheryl [Malone] is an outstanding investigator and has been an asset to our department," Curtman said Monday. "Stafford has only been with the department for a short time, but we're very glad to have him."
Houston and Turner will both be arraigned this week.
CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE
There has been some moronic concern about the cost of this operation.
Well, there was 1/4 of a gallon of gas that was burned while waiting 10 minutes for the vehicle to move and then the traffic stop itself. Stafford was working his regular shift. I came in on my day off to see the job got done and did not claim any comp time. Asst. Chief Malone worked 3 hours on the assignment.
So the total cost of the entire operation was about (give or take a few pennies) $32.46.
Well worth keeping two proactive drug dealers off the streets and away from our children.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Asst. Chief Cheryl Malone...and snakes!

Cheryl told me today that she was so afraid of snakes that even when she ran over one in her car she still lifted her feet!
1998-WORKED FOR STODDARD COUNTY JUVENILE CENTER-CHILD CARE
2000-GRADUATED THREE RIVERS COMMUNITY COLLAGE WITH AA IN POLICE SCIENCE
2000-STODDARD COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT DISPATCHER
2001- BOLLINGER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT-ROAD DEPUTY, EVIDENCE TECH, DETECTIVE
2005- SERGEANT FOR ORAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
2006-BOLLINGER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT –DISPATCHER AND RESERVE DEPUTY
2006-BLOOMFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT RESERVE SERGEANT
2007-APRIL -BLOOMFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT FULL TIME
2007- OCTOBER- PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT CHIEF
CERTIFIED CLASS B LAW ENFORCEMENT STATE OF MISSOURI
CERTIFIED IN THE USE OF TAZER, OCAT, BATON, PPCT GROUND TRAINING, NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION.
A Great Weather Tool!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
A Good Read
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Child Restraints...continued
• Children less than 4 years old or less than 40 pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat.
• Children ages 4 through 7 who weigh at least 40 pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat unless they are 80 pounds or 4'9" tall.
• Children 8 and over or weighing at least 80 pounds or at least 4’9” tall are required to be secured by a safety belt or buckled into an appropriate booster seat