Published: August 19, 2008 04:29 pm         

12 officers sworn into county Bureau of Police

All but 2 recertified, but won’t be back on roads until gear acquired

CUMBERLAND — Twelve of the 14 officers hired by the Allegany County Bureau of Police were recertified and sworn in Tuesday at 3 p.m. by Dawne Lindsey, Allegany County clerk of the circuit court.

The announcement was received at the Times-News via fax at 4:06 p.m. The County Office Complex closes at 4 p.m.

The news release said the Maryland Police Training Commission notified county officials that the 12 officers had completed the recertification process. They will not begin patrolling the roads, however, before the end of this week or later, county officials said.

“These Allegany County Bureau of Police officers can now exercise full police powers,” the statement read. “Two additional officers are actively progressing through the recertification process. This is expected to be concluded in the near future.”

The 12 officers are to rotate using “a limited number of vehicles” and begin road patrol duties. The officers will wear uniforms already in stock. Deputy Chief Bobby Dick told the Times-News last week that the officers could use “black BDUs” on a temporary basis.

The remaining two officers have not yet been recertified due to personal and professional delays. One officer was on vacation while another was required to be in court.

Dick could not be reached for comment. Gary Moore, chief of the Bureau of Police, initially said all media inquiries were to be run through Bretta Reinhard, public information officer for county government. He agreed, however, the announcement’s release “shouldn’t have been that late.”

Moore later facilitated contact between the Times-News and both David Eberly, acting county administrator, and Dick.

Dick said road patrols could not begin until the officers acquire protective equipment, such as safety vests.

“We’re lacking items which, to me, are critical as far as putting these guys on the street,” Dick said. “Hopefully, we’ll get them on the street quickly. We’re still doing in-service training (Wednesday and Thursday). We hope to solve the (vest) problem by the end of the week.”

The announcement was released just 17 hours before Sheriff David Goad is to appear in Allegany County District Court for a show cause hearing. Goad was served with a summons Aug. 7 — at the end of the county commissioners’ public meeting at Allegany High School — to appear Wednesday. The writ of replevin orders Goad to show why the 27 patrol vehicles and associated equipment, which were last utilized by the 14 former sheriff’s deputies, shouldn’t be turned over to the county commissioners.

“It is also the county’s desire to utilize vehicles and equipment already owned by the county for the Bureau of Police to avoid unnecessary expense,” the news release said.

The recertification process included comprehensive in-service training such as “defensive tactics, interview and interrogation classes, and ‘active shooter’ training,” according to the release. The training commission requires officers to complete 18 hours of qualified training each year. “A total of 38 hours of in-service training were completed by each recertified officer to date.”

State recertification also includes a physical, drug testing, a criminal background check, federal and state fingerprint checks, a polygraph test and weapons qualification.

Dick said he’s been impressed with all 14 officers in the three weeks they’ve been working for the expanded Bureau of Police.

“Their only interest is doing police work,” Dick said. “They’re looking forward to getting on the street.”

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.