HISTORY OF THE CONWAY POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

Part II
1999-2005

 

VIVIAN LAWSON HOGUE

 

 

                                                        

 

 

 

 

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS
(As Stipulated by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training)

AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder, and to respect the constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice.

I WILL keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life. I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.

I WILL never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.

I RECOGNIZE the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession . . . law enforcement.

On a sweltering August night during the drought of the 1950s, and with humidity hanging as heavy as the inescapable stench of farm animal dung, I accompanied my mother and an aunt to the Major Lewis Sale Barn on Chestnut Street.  There was no other purpose than to see what we had never seen, nor have I seen since – an auction of livestock.  My mother parked our 1948 two-tone brown and mint-green Chevy on Chestnut a block away to the north.  We felt safe, as the police station with its total force of perhaps four officers was barely a block away.

The 1955 town of Conway with its 9,000 citizens had little in the way of crime, but we gave the police something to do that night.  Upon returning from the auction, we approached our parking spot at 10 p.m.  My mother had that sudden, Wal-Mart-parking-lot-feeling of vehicle misplacement.  However, it became evident that the car had been stolen, and we were in a predicament.  We walked the block to the police office on Chestnut Street.  It was immediately crowded with the three of us in addition to two officers who represented almost half of the entire force.  After a time, an officer drove us home and the other called the Chief.  Around three a.m., we received a call that the car was found at Palarm, no worse for wear except for obvious evidence of nausea in the back seat.                                           
                                         
                                  Left to right:  John Ball, Nolan Whiddon, Oscar Mahan, and Huey Nation
                                   
                                      
Back row, left to right:  Buford Chambers (AR. State Police), Louis White and Ted Welbourn (Conway Police).  Front row, left to right:  Lewis Keck (Conway Police), Rod Hensley (Faulkner CO. Deputy), Chief Nolan Whiddon (Conway Police), Sheriff Jack Castleberry (Faulkner Co.), and Gene White (Conway Police).

I can say that the city’s police department then was a miniature entity when compared to the knowledge, experience and rigors of training of the current force.  However with no traffic lights in town, a low crime rate and a handful of usually empty jail cells, a small force was all that was needed.    The last 50 years have seen major advances in policing strategies, techniques, weapons and equipment due to societal and legal changes that accompany time and population growth. This is reflected in a history compiled in 1999 by Captain Rod Pearson, now retired. 

Captain Pearson’s history covered the City of Conway’s law enforcement from its inception in January, 1905 to September of 1999.  During that period, the department first occupied a former bank site on Front Street, then a small building in the back of First National Bank near the railroad, then the Chestnut Street location followed by the Prairie Street site.  By 1999, the city’s population had grown to 42,000 compared to 26,000 reported by the census only nine years before. Jerry Snowden was Chief in 1999 and remained in the position until 2000 at which time he retired.   Captain A. J. Gary became Interim Chief and served from June 15, 2000 to February 10, 2001.   

On January 8, 2001, Randall Aragon was selected by Mayor Tab Townsell to serve in the post.  At that time, there were 113 police department employees.  The city’s population had already grown to 43,167 as per the 2000 census and the department budget was $5,051,911. 

Chief Aragon and his wife, Ramona, were former residents of Lumberton, North Carolina where he had served as Chief of Police.  Aragon holds Bachelors and Master of Arts degrees in Business Management, was awarded the Bronze Star as a commander in combat (rank of Captain) in Vietnam and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. When appointed, Chief Aragon had 26 years experience in law enforcement, with 16 of those as a Chief of Police.  He has served as an adjunct professor of management and criminal justice in 10 colleges, as well as serving numerous law enforcement agencies and colleges in the capacity of criminal justice and management consultant.  His philosophy is “delivering law enforcement services to our customers in such a manner that positively satisfies their needs and priorities, and accomplishing that with totally committed employees.”

The significant projects and programs accomplished by the CPD in 2001 began with orientation training initiated for all leaders and rank and file personnel.  By March there was a reorganization of the department.  Included were the acquisition of a Code Enforcement Officer, Sergeant Wade Rowlett, the use of Community Policing Officers for code enforcement and Nuisance Abatement Bureau (NAB) team operations, and enhancement of community policing efforts.   Also in place was the recommendation and legislative support and approval to follow necessary processes toward having the police department acquire the coveted international law enforcement accreditation status under the auspices of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

The Police Department Explorer Post (#287) was reactivated after a number of years of inactivity.  Ten members were led by Officer Scott Carpenter,   This organization, sponsored under the rules and guidance of the Boy Scouts of America provides law enforcement training and career guidance to youths between the ages of fourteen and twenty one.

The Community Oriented Policing Leadership Council (COPLC) was initiated with fifty community members attending.  Members came from businesses, elected officials, citizens, the media, various entities and agencies, and the police department.  The purpose for this group is to develop a proactive partnership between the community and the CPD.  An annual COPLC Recognition Luncheon is presented by the CPD Law Enforcement Explorer Post which is guided by the leadership of School Resource Officer Bruce Childers.
           
                                   

June 4th of 2001 saw the CPD officially matriculated into the International Law Enforcement Accreditation Process.  It was to be completed in three years and was to be a source of guidance to enhance the overall delivery of law enforcement services to the citizens of Conway and to increase citizen and staff confidence in the work and policies of the department. Validated studies also indicate that accreditation police agencies experience 17% less lawsuits and when a payout is negotiated, such agencies generally cite 33% less in financial settlements.

Other projects were the implementation of a comprehensive employee evaluation system, a computerized statistics program (Compstat), and an expansion of the Community-Oriented Policing program to include operational annexes in key points of the city.
           
                                   

In 2002, the Investigative Services Division (ISD) was provided with a larger facility as approved by the City Council. This facility, across the street from the headquarters police building, is intended as a stop-gap measure to provide ISD greater operating space until a new police facility can be constructed, perhaps in 2006 or 2007.  Also during this year, the City Council approved the spending of forfeiture funds to renovate and furnish the area formerly occupied by the ISD.  The renovated area is now used by the Patrol Services Division.

The Juvenile Citizens Police Academy was also begun as a way to foster the development of good will between young people and the department.  Twelve local teenagers received orientation on the department’s organizational structure as well as other special agencies, teams and units.

                              

During 2002 the Conway Community Safety Initiative (CCSI) was begun. The initiative consists of requiring probationers or parolees to meet during a “call-in” with the CCSI Team Members at a designated location. These chronic offenders, referred to as recidivists, are generally that small number of people who commits most of the crime within communities in which they reside. At a “call in,” the two pivotal components of the CCSI strategy are then communicated: 1) a genuine offer of community resources to rebuild their personal and family lives; and 2) a clearly defined final warning to those “called-in.” The final warning is communicated to the chronic offenders by the Chief of Police, the Sheriff, the FBI, Probation and Parole Officers, State Prosecutor, U.S. Attorney, and Circuit Judges.  Should an offender that was “called-in” commit another violation after this “call-in,” all resources within the criminal justice system would then be garnered to remove this recidivist from society.  He or she would be placed into the state or federal penal system for the maximum length of time possible. Call-In #1 was conducted on October 21, 2002 and 12 chronic offenders participated.

In January of 2003, the Conway City Council transferred the command and control of the Animal Welfare Unit from the Sanitation Department to the CPD. 

 

 

In May of that year, at a Community-Oriented Policing Leadership Council Meeting, Chief Aragon stated that over the previous decades there were citizens who expressed concerns about attitudes exhibited by some officers.  Members of this council agreed that the last two years’ efforts toward improvement in this area had been clearly evident and fruitful, and that furthering of this effort should be continued. One of the steps toward this movement was the establishment of the Citizens Police Academy. 

The first CPA training program began with twelve citizens in attendance for three hours per week for ten weeks, after which graduates received certificates.  Training was conducted by CPD officers and coordinated by Major Kerry Pool. The second graduating class, held in 2004, was coordinated by Major Mark Elsinger and Officer Chris Lewis.   The threefold purpose of the program is (1) to increase community support and awareness of police operations through education and the exchange of ideas; (2) to increase police awareness of customers’ needs; and (3) to create and sustain cooperation between customers and the CPD.

 (Citizens Police Academy)

In September of 2003, the City of Conway was awarded a $2.8 million Interoperability Communications Grant by the Department of Homeland Security.  This would fully outfit the Conway Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) with communication equipment and distribute equipment to “sister” public safety agencies within Faulkner County.  U. S. Undersecretary for Homeland Security, Asa P. Hutchinson, stated that “The Conway application was so well presented and documented that the project will be used as a demonstration for other cities to follow.” 

In the early part of 2004, Dara Tapley, Administrative Assistant to Chief Aragon, began a
project intended to give a visual overview of the aspects and roles of police work in the community depicted by photographs of CPD Officers in action.  The display of eight 20” X 30” action photographs are located within the headquarters hallway, and were completed primarily with donated efforts by locally owned businesses owned by a photographer, a film processor, and a framing business.

 

                       

 

                              
                                                    (Swat briefing at Kimberly Clark)

 

                       
                                                                  (Swat Team—2005)

 

           
                               
                                    (Left: Sgt Anderson, Right: Lt. Berry—leaders of COP team)

                      
                       

                       
                                      (K9 Officer Clay Smith and K9 Tony—Drug Bust)

 

By mid-year, the Conway Emergency Operations Center became operational. Construction of the facility had been funded by a 1997 bond issue, but until these grant funds were received, fully outfitting of the center had not been possible.  A result of CPD Communications Coordinator David Anthony’s conception of the facility, it is now equipped and fully operational, and is the new site of the CPD and Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office dispatching staff.  The 6,000 square foot building, located off Hogan Road and in the shadow of Cadron Ridge, remained empty until Director of Information Technology Division head, Lloyd Hartzell, acquired federal grant money (as previously mentioned). It provides communication services for city and county police, fire, ambulance services and other public safety agencies.

                       
                                                (Conway Emergency Operation Center)

                       
                                                (Telecommunicator Kimberly Padgett)

In another effort to become more proactive during the December holiday shopping period, Mayor Townsell enacted a vision to have CPD begin participating in a “Shop Secure” program with various local businesses.  With a goal of enhancing safety and security for shoppers during Christmas shopping days, additional officers patrolled streets and parking lots of major retail shopping destinations.  The program was unanimously approved by the Conway City Council, providing $21,000 to the CPD overtime budget. 

On March 19, 2005, Chief Aragon, Lieutenant Susan Wilson (Accreditation Manager), and Mayor Tab Townsell attended the accreditation conference in Birmingham, Alabama to participate in the department’s accreditation review board meeting with the accreditation commissioners.  At the awards ceremony that evening, the Conway Police Department was officially awarded international law enforcement accreditation status. Conway PD joined the ranks of only 3% of the 17,000 municipal police agencies within the United States who have met 447 stringent professional standards to be awarded this distinguished recognition of excellence.

At this juncture the Conway Police Department became the third municipal police agency in Arkansas to receive this accreditation honor. Other Arkansas municipal police agencies currently awarded this status include the Little Rock and Ft. Smith police departments. On May 20, 2005 a reception was held at the CPD Headquarters to commemorate the department’s accreditation status. Approximately 50 persons were in attendance including the Mayor, Aldermen, Justices of the Peace, UCA officials, CPD and other departmental employees, entrepreneurs, citizens and other distinguished guests.  

                         
                 (Presenting the Colors at the International Law Enf. Accred. Ceremony)

                            
Chief Aragon outlines the future issues facing the department and service environment in this way:  “Our service population is growing at an incredibly rapid pace.  The 1990 population was 26,000.  As of September 30, 2004, it had risen to a conservative estimate of 53,713.  The city enjoys a low crime rate, especially in violent crimes.  However, to maintain community safety and prevent crime rates from spiraling due to growth, our agency must continue to aggressively refine and concentrate upon our Compstat efforts in developing effective crime control strategies.”

Aragon continues, “Because of citizens’ distaste for increased sales taxes, the city must seek creative revenue streams to continually and compassionately fund the basic yet critical resources for CPD’s day-to-day mission.  This includes enhancing sworn officer strength as projected by the Strategic Plan and maintaining a constant flow of new patrol vehicles into the department’s vehicle fleet.”

                         
The Chief’s concluding commentary mentions “A new police facility is projected in the city’s 10-Year Capital Plan for 2007.  Our current facility, built in 1967 with only 10,125 square feet, is bursting at the seams.  Regardless of our handicaps, our agency must continue its excellent progress in developing a positive organization culture that includes working harmoniously with peers, subordinates and leaders. This will insure that besides our primary role of delivering outstanding law enforcement services to those we serve, that all CPD employees will also serve as ambassadors for the City of Conway.”

The Conway Police Department is taking seriously its role and image in the community.  A part of that is being aware of its ethical responsibilities and standards the public expects it to uphold.  It has come a long way since 1905.  During this year, the 100th anniversary of law enforcement in Conway, it is appropriate that this history not only be told for posterity, but to serve as recognition of the men and women who have lived it.

 

                          

 

                         
                                                (Customer Service Representatives)

 

           
                                   

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 

Vivian Lawson Hogue is a native of Conway and a high school teacher in the Conway Public School District.  She is a member of the Conway Police Department’s Community Oriented Policing Leadership Council, a 2004 graduate of the Conway Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy, and is a highly productive member of the Conway Police Department’s Citizen Volunteer Program.   She also serves on the board of the Faulkner County Historical Society and is a member and 6-year past president of the Old Conway Preservation Society.  Her award-winning essays, commentaries and features on local historical homes appeared in the Log Cabin Democrat from 1996 to 2002.