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Sheriff'sBlog
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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Friday, 21 August 2009 |
September marks the beginning of my fourth year as Sheriff. This experience has been challenging and rewarding and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. There has been much progress within the BCSO over the past three years. Credit goes to my excellent command staff, the hard work of all deputies and employees, and to the Bradley community. Local businesses, industry, churches, volunteer groups, educators and hardworking citizens are the backbone of this community. We support them all and will continue to be vigilant and proactive in matters of public safety.
Space won’t allow me to cover every accomplishment or advancement within the Sheriff’s Office in detail, but there are several areas that I feel have been instrumental to our progress.
1. Streamlined Operations: When I became sheriff I eliminated a top-heavy BCSO bureaucracy that had developed over many years and reallocated the budgeted funds and manpower directly to the field where they could do the most good. The result is a greater law enforcement presence, less crime overall and a quicker response time in emergencies where every second is critical.
2. Better Starting Pay, Stricter Hiring Practices: Only the best law enforcement professionals should wear the BCSO badge. We implemented more stringent hiring practices to better screen the character, background and psychology of applicants. We have also increased base pay to a more competitive level. Pay-wise, we still fall below the regional average, but at least we made headway. Turnover has fallen and more deputies are staying on the job.
3. Better Equipment and Training: We acquired a number of new vehicles and improved our equipment and training for road deputies and jail personnel, decreasing risks to them and the public they serve. As sheriff, I hold myself and my deputies to a high standard and I expect that to be reflected in all areas of our operation. We should be role models and public safety professionals. In the few, isolated cases where misconduct on the part of a deputy has come to light, we have dealt with the situation swiftly, fairly and transparently.
4. Better Communications: We have greatly improved the free flow of information between the Sheriff’s Office and the public. The BCSO web site is a model for what a knowledge base should be, with news stories, press releases, video pod casts, departmental information and a wealth of other features relevant to the entire community. In addition, I do a bi-weekly radio show, write a weekly newspaper and Internet column, and we have even begun to Twitter. I try my best to answer my calls and emails, I keep my office door open, I attend public meetings and routinely work in the field. Additionally, all BCSO supervisors regularly spend time out in the community, backing up our patrol deputies, policing neighborhoods, and meeting with people and listening to their concerns.
5. No New Taxes, Off-Setting Expenses: We have achieved our goals without burdening the citizens of Bradley County with any tax increases; in fact, we have saved the taxpayer $660,000 in budgeted money thus far. Additionally, through various BCSO operations, we generate approximately $4.2 million each year for the Bradley County General Fund, which significantly off-sets required county operations.
As I enter my last year as Sheriff, I look forward to continuing this progress and my service to you. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve.
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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Thursday, 13 August 2009 |
The BCSO Special Weapons And Tactical team (SWAT) is the specially-trained team that is called out when a situation involves hostages, multiple or high-powered weapons, stand-offs with an individual or individuals with a history of violence, when there is a great risk of violence or potential for an active shooter situation, search-and-rescue operations and any other emergency situation where conventional law enforcement may need reinforcement.
The SWAT team has been active in Bradley County for over 20 years and there was a time when team members had to foot the bill for their weapons and equipment. I have worked hard to ensure they receive the funding necessary to minimize risk to themselves and the citizens they’re sworn to protect. Today’s SWAT team is better equipped, better trained and better funded than at any other time in its history.
The current SWAT team consists of 14 deputies, who also perform other daily duties for the BCSO. Drug Unit Det. John Stone is the team’s commander. In addition to their regular training and duties, these deputies must undergo additional training in tactical maneuvers, stealth, securing buildings, firearms, less-lethal alternatives (bean-bags, tasers, tear gas, flash grenades, etc.), and other specialty areas, such as sniper capabilities.
Testing and training requirements for SWAT are stringent and not everyone who applies to the team is accepted. Public safety is first and foremost in the mission of the SWAT team and the men and women who wear the SWAT insignia do so with pride and a commitment to protecting the citizens of this community. We will pursue any method or advantage that will increase the team’s effectiveness while minimizing risk to them and to the law-abiding public.
One of the greatest advantages, in terms of minimizing risk, is the Commando 150 armored personnel carrier (APC) that we acquired during my first year as sheriff. We received the APC ~ which is commonly referred to as the “Tank” ~ as a result of our on-going partnership with the U.S. military. This particular piece of equipment was seized from Manuel Noriega back during the ‘80s by U.S. forces, and acquired by the BCSO at no cost to the Bradley County taxpayer.
The “Tank” is specially equipped for the SWAT team’s use in both hostage and victim rescues in the event of an armed confrontation. Features include bullet-proof windows, a winch, emergency lighting, siren control and radio communication systems, high intensity lights on the front in the event law enforcement needs to light up the night, and “run-flat tires” (in case a shooter thinks they can incapacitate the vehicle by shooting the tires). The “Tank” also provides invaluable cover for SWAT members who need to move closer to a threat or retrieve wounded personnel who need to be moved out of harm’s way.
The risks the BCSO SWAT team faces in the performance of their duties are great. Capt. Jim Ruth, who directs our Judicial Services Division, carries a bullet in his arm to this day from an incident in the mid-90s when he was SWAT commander. Although small and limited in the number of people it can carry, I cannot overstate how important the “Tank” and all other specialty training and equipment is in any situation that requires the SWAT team’s presence.
Currently, the BCSO has been awarded funding through a District III Homeland Security Grant to purchase a SWAT team transportation and deployment vehicle which will, for the first time, allow us to transport all of our team members and equipment together, if needed. This vehicle will also be used to support the District III counter-terrorism initiative of perimeter/containment teams that have been formed for our Homeland Security District.
These teams will be utilized in the event of a major incident or terrorist attack on vital and critical national infrastructure anywhere in our 10-county District III region.
Our SWAT team competed this year with other teams from around the country in the SWAT Team Competition held in South Carolina. Areas of competition included a variety of tactical, shooting and physical contests designed to better enhance training and service. The entire BCSO team performed very well in all areas.
The BCSO SWAT team is an integral part of our commitment to protect and serve. Every time they have been called out, they have responded and performed in an exemplary manner. They have my respect and appreciation for their continued good service.
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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Thursday, 06 August 2009 |
One of our greatest success stories here at the BCSO continues to be the Inmate Work Program. The main objectives of the Program are to provide beneficial services to the citizens of Bradley County, save taxpayers’ money and instill a sense of accomplishment and self worth in inmates who otherwise may not receive much positive reinforcement.
Only low risk inmates are allowed to participate in the Program and they are well supervised when they are away from the Justice Center. Inmates who qualify, are given an opportunity to spend time outside in the fresh air and perform many useful services that would otherwise have to be done by the county’s maintenance and roads department. In addition to many other tasks, litter pick-up crews clear rubbish and scrap rubber from public roadways. Bradley County is an important interchange for big, over-the-road trucks and at times the trucks’ huge tires shred and peel, leaving scraps of rubber in the road and along the shoulders, berms and spillways. Inmates are a tremendous help keeping the highways safe, clean and clear of obstructions.
There are several work crews out performing a wide range of other duties throughout Bradley County. One crew works full time at the Tri State Exhibition Center, one crew assists the Road Department, one crew helps maintain our fleet at the BCSO garage and two crews perform roadside and litter cleanup, painting brickwork at schools, etc.
The inmate garden has also been a great success. The garden is located here on the grounds of the Justice Center and is even larger than last year. Inmates plant, tend and harvest the garden, and the fresh vegetables are used to help supplement the menu in the jail kitchen. Crops include cucumbers, tomatoes, okra, beans and other vegetables. The benefits of fresh vegetables in the inmates’ diet and the saving to taxpayers in reduced food costs are an added benefit.
Inmates also perform many functions inside the jail, as well. They are responsible for cleaning, sweeping, mopping and waxing floors, cooking and washing dishes in the kitchen, doing laundry, painting, disinfecting the common areas, sorting commissary items and many other duties as needed.
Both inside and outside the Justice Center complex, I have found that inmates do a good job and bring a positive attitude to any task to which they are assigned. Again, allowing qualified inmates to work in the community and in the jail not only saves taxpayer money, it offers them a sense of purpose during their incarceration. Many prisoners desire to use their jail time doing something constructive and the Inmate Work Program helps them do just that. It is a positive experience for everyone involved and my congratulations go out to the deputies who administer the program and the inmates who participate.
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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Thursday, 30 July 2009 |
On Monday, the Bradley County Commission will vote on whether or not law abiding citizens with valid gun permits will be allowed to carry firearms in local parks, natural areas, historic areas, nature trails, campgrounds, forests, greenways, waterways and other such public areas.
I have long supported a law abiding citizen’s Second Amendment right to own and carry firearms, whether they are for hunting, sport shooting or the protection of their families and property. This is a fundamental American right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. At the last Commission meeting, Commissioner Ben Atchley pointed out that he didn’t feel he could “take away the rights of our law-abiding citizens” to legally carry guns. I agree with him.
Parks and other such recreational areas have no full-time, dedicated police presence. We at the BCSO do what we can to help protect and defend all citizens; however, there may be times when citizens will find themselves on their own in a threatening situation until deputies can respond. Let’s not prevent a law-abiding citizen from exercising their right to self-protection. There have been many instances where private citizens have had to hold the line against a threat until law enforcement could reasonably respond to a 911 call and back them up.
The Bill of Rights references a well-armed militia. The founding fathers were keenly aware that our fledgling nation owed its defense to a well-armed citizenry. History knows them as the Minute Men, and they had to be ready, armed and prepared to do battle within minutes. In today’s world of terrorism, organized gangs outfitted with automatic weapons, and other criminal threats to the security of our communities and nation, we should never underestimate the importance of a well-armed, well-trained citizenry in deterring crime, street-level criminals, and even foreign invaders, should such a scenario ever play out on American soil.
When law-abiding citizens are prohibited from owning or carrying guns, only the criminals will be armed. The best defense against crime is an armed, trained, law-abiding citizenry.
Before I close, I want to offer my respect and appreciation to the men and women of the 252nd Military Police Company as they prepare to ship overseas. They left for Ft. Dix, New Jersey this week for some final training and will then head to Iraq for a year-long deployment. Their mission there will be to help train and advise Iraqi police units as they build their own, self-sustaining law enforcement and peacekeeping forces throughout the country’s provinces.
I appreciate the sacrifices of all U.S. military personnel who have fought so long and hard for the freedoms we have and the freedoms of those in faraway lands. I thank them all for their service. May God protect them and give them courage during their deployment and return them all safely to their homes and families.
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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Thursday, 23 July 2009 |
Illegal immigration remains a hot-topic issue all over the country. It’s important to separate those who come here from other countries through legal channels from those who ignore our laws and attempt to sneak in. The United States has always welcomed legal immigrants, but having people cross our borders illegally cannot, and should not, be allowed.
The BCSO has been proactive in identifying and confronting criminal activity in our community, including those who are here illegally. Whenever a person is arrested for a crime in Bradley County, regardless of who they are, their identities are checked against our Criminal Alien Program (CAP) to determine citizenship or legal status. Anyone who is found to be here illegally, is turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation, upon completion of their sentence or disposition of their court case.
Last year, the BCSO arrested 49 illegals in Bradley County, and so far this year, we have arrested 29 more. They have all been turned over, or are waiting to be turned over, to ICE for deportation. This sends a message that Bradley County is not a sanctuary for anyone attempting to bypass or subvert our immigration laws.
I cannot overstate how important border security is to the safety and stability of our nation. It is estimated there are between 11 to 20 million illegal aliens in this country. The unrestrained flow of illegal traffic across our borders has a direct impact on national security and the ramifications of allowing it to continue go well beyond Bradley County. International crime syndicates, terrorists and violent street gangs such as MS13 are well-positioned to take advantage of countries that fail to secure their borders, and they are doing so. National security demands that we must do a better job of securing our borders.
With the country straining under weakened economic conditions and with some states actually facing bankruptcy because of uncontrolled spending, the influx of illegals burdening U.S. medical and social services is no longer viable. As a nation, we cannot continue supporting mass groups of non-citizens with U.S. citizens’ taxpayer money.
I can’t fault anyone for wanting to enter our great nation and build a better life for themselves and their families, and if they follow the legal immigration process and obey our laws, they are welcome. I also support educational and work visa programs for anyone who complies with the laws of the land. However, we are a nation of laws and those laws were designed and implemented at the will of the people. As sheriff, it is my job is to enforce the law.
I have always said that one of the first requirements of citizenship is to obey the laws of the land. When someone intentionally and willfully comes into this country in violation of these laws, they have failed one of the basic tenets for granting citizenship. The BCSO is doing everything legally possible to deal with the problem here in Bradley County, and I will continue to do so in the future. Elected officials have a duty and responsibility to listen to you. This government still belongs to “the people.” As always, I will continue to do my part to represent your interests and make government work for you.
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