I want to address the TBI’s latest Crime in Tennessee report this week, but before I do, let me acknowledge “National Corrections Officers Week.”

The first week in May is National Corrections Officers Week and I want to offer my sincere appreciation to all the BCSO Corrections deputies for their good work. There are many physical and mental demands required of Corrections personnel. It is a difficult job and I am proud of the consistently high level of professionalism the men and women at the Justice Center display every day. Thanks also to Capt. Gabe Thomas who oversees the BCSO jail operations. Considering the complex nature and liability concerns of incarceration, the BCSO Corrections Division performs in an exemplary manner. Again, thanks to all our Corrections deputies.
 
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has released their annual Crime in Tennessee report and I was pleased to see that the BCSO is credited with clearing more cases last year ~ a total of 1,717 ~ than any other sheriff’s office since the TBI began releasing the report in 2000.
 
This successful clearance rate is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of all BCSO divisions working together in an effective, cooperative effort. Their professionalism in developing leads, interviewing witnesses and identifying suspects, as well as applying the latest, cutting-edge technology in the collection, documentation and analysis of evidence has produced enviable results. I believe this report proves conclusively that the programs and initiatives we have implemented since I took office in September 2006, are working to reduce crime in Bradley County.
 
Obviously, a high clearance rate means increased arrests. During 2007, the BCSO made 3,068 arrests for major crime. That is an eight percent increase over the year before and the first time arrests for major criminal offenses have topped 3,000. Offenses in 2007 totaled 3,614. That puts our clearance rate at 47.51 percent, which is approximately 17 percent above the national average. That is a phenomenal accomplishment for any law enforcement organization.
 
As the population of Bradley County continues to grow, it follows that crime will parallel that growth. That is why it remains a priority of the BCSO to attract and retain the highest quality personnel, as well as implementing the latest in crime fighting techniques and technology. In 2006, the BCSO handled 82,000 documented calls for service. In 2007, we handled 112,000 calls. That is an increase of 30,000 calls in just one year. This continues an upward trend in calls for service that shows no signs of slowing.
 
The Tennessee Incident Based Reporting System (TIBRS) and the TBI classify “Group A” offenses into one of three categories: Crimes Against Persons, Crimes Against Property and Crimes Against Society. Arrests in all three categories increased in 2007 over 2006. Arrests for Crimes Against Persons increased by 18.48 percent, Crimes Against Property arrests increased by 27.18 percent and Crimes Against Society arrests increased by 80.87 percent.
 
Those figures just reflect arrests. The fact is, we have been successful in reducing certain areas of crime as well. For example, the BCSO reduced burglaries countywide by 25 percent over 2006. One of the main reasons for this is the fact that, by effectively utilizing existing resources and manpower, I was able to put more deputies on the road, patrolling, deterring and responding to crime. BCSO deputies actually caught a number of criminals at the scene and in the act during 2007. That is effective policing.
 
Another factor in the BCSO’s success in solving crime in a more expedient manner is the fact that we streamlined lab operations, converting them into more of a crime scene investigation unit. In-house access to the FBI’s database allows our fingerprint technicians to identify latent prints much faster than sending them off to a TBI or FBI lab and then waiting for state techs to work through their backlog.
 
In fact, the BCSO has developed such a strong reputation for locating and identifying latent fingerprints, our assistance is regularly solicited by other area law enforcement agencies. Last year, BCSO detectives worked with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies in Georgia to break up a two‑state theft ring. The investigation resulted in the recovery of several stolen vehicles with a combined value of over $100,000, including ATVs, trailers and a cargo van. In another investigation, BCSO detectives developed leads that solved 47 burglaries from Cleveland to Knoxville. We cleared five cases locally and allowed Knox County to clear over 30 open investigations there.