HAMILTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, TN—February 28th, 2015

FROM THE DESK OF JIM HAMMOND

In this issue:

Sheriff Hammond,

Pages 1-2

Branum’s Briefs,

Pages 3-4

Cottontail

Commentary, Page 4

Promotions, Page 5

Technology and News,

Pages 6-7

Corrections, Page 8

Chaplain, Page 10

What’s Cookin’,

Page 11

I want to substitute my article

this month with a message from

Director Bennett about a new

program we are considering.

WE ARE NOT BULLET PROOF

(The Blurred Blue Line)

You don’t need me to tell you

that alcohol abuse among the

law enforcement and corrections

communities is a serious and

widespread problem. No, my

message to you is not just about

alcohol abuse, for which there

are volumes of information read-

ily available, but to introduce

you to a new program I would

like us to consider.

Some studies estimate this type

of abuse affects at least a fourth

of all officers in the U.S. Across

occupational lines, we are espe-

cially susceptible because of

“stress issues.” Health risks

associated with officer stress in-

clude weight gain, insomnia, gas-

tric conditions and heart disease.

Several studies have corroborat-

ed that our work is ranked

among the highest occupations

for work-related stress.

The problems and stressors fac-

ing law enforcement, especially

in this age when law enforce-

ment on the whole is undergoing

paradigm changes in how it

serves society, present a daunt-

ing challenge to mental health

providers. As alcoholism rates

continue to rise, there is great

need for initiatives that can over-

come the typical barriers of sus-

picion and cynicism that serve to

insulate and isolate our officers.

Contrasted with most EAPs who

typically employ mental health

clinicians to work with officers,

the New York City Police Depart-

ment has employed a strategy of

using it’s own to help it’s own.

The Police Organization Provid-

ing Peer Assistance (POPPA)

Continued next page

2 The Roll Call, February 28th, 2015

program, launched in 1995,

is staffed by trained inter-

vention volunteers recruited

from the ranks of the city’s

38,000-member police force

who operate a 24-hour, con-

fidential helpline for officers.

Now this is what really

gained my interest: The

NYPD reports their helpline

receives over 1,000 calls per

year. And about 75% of

those calls result in a face-to-

face offsite meeting between

the caller and a peer counse-

lor from the agency. The

counselors lend a sympa-

thetic ear, and if necessary,

provide referrals to outside

providers.

The program’s rationale is

that “it takes a cop to know a

cop,” so a troubled officer is

more likely to open up to

someone who has experi-

enced police stress himself

or herself . And we all know

that most officers typically

do not seek help because

they do not wish to appear

“weak or vulnerable” to their

peers. Now, please under-

stand I am not against using

our EAP; they have proven

useful with some of our

county employees, but I be-

lieve the NYPD’s program is

a pretty good model to con-

sider, don’t you?

Law enforcement officers

have traditionally been held

to a higher ethical standard

than their civilian counter-

parts - and I believe we

should be. Unfortunately,

there are always a few unsa-

vory officers who have and

will continue to tarnish the

image of law enforcement.

I’d say I’m not alone in be-

lieving this is due in part to

the common portrayal of of-

ficers depicted in movies and

television as burned out, al-

coholic cops who are often

corrupt individuals whose

aim is to hurt rather than

help civilians.

Now for the new program

we are considering. We are

in discussions now with two

retired HCSO employees

with past military histories

who have survived the chal-

lenges of alcoholism and

want to offer their help to

any others in our HCSO fami-

ly. As they put it to me for

our people, “We have been

there and done that. So,

stand tall and let’s talk.”

Yes, we can all help each oth-

er to some extent, but offic-

ers must first be willing to

accept the help being of-

fered. I know our sheriff

wants the needs of all our

HCSO employees to be con-

sidered. That involves not

only our salaries, benefits

and work conditions but our

physical and psychological

welfare as well.

I believe a program modeled

after New York’s can work

here for us. What do you

think? We could start with

our two retirees and see how

that progresses. I will have

more information to give to

you about this new program

as we continue to work on

the details. In the meantime,

I encourage you to contact

me with your comments

about this program at

(423-443-0913, or

gbennett@hcsheriff.gov).

Thank you.

(Credit is given to The Milestone Group

LLC and the Journal of Law Enforcement,

Vol. 2, for some of the information here.)

Director Bennett

The Roll Call, February 28th, 2015 3

Leadership Briefs With Chief Deputy Allen Branum

LEADERSHIP EARNED

1. TREAT EVERYONE WITH

DIGNITY, RESPECT AND

COURTESY

Value the inherent worth of

each person with whom you

have contact. Appreciate the

fact that others’ dreams, goals

and feelings of self-worth are

just as important to them as

yours are to you. Adopt the

mindset that being “a superi-

or” does not mean that you

are superior … and behave

accordingly!

2. LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

Model the work performance,

attendance, and conduct that

you expect from others. Show

people, through your daily be-

haviors, what it means to have

integrity, a strong work ethic

and an unyielding commitment

to your organization’s mission

and values. WALK THE TALK!

3. BE FIRM, FAIR AND

CONSISTENT

Avoid playing favorites. Hold

everyone – including yourself –

equally accountable for follow-

ing ALL rules and regulations,

exhibiting appropriate behav-

ior, meeting ALL job responsi-

bilities and achieving desired

results.

4. “OWN UP” TO YOUR

SHORTCOMINGS

Avoid cover ups. If you make a

mistake, admit it - and then fix

it! If you don’t know some-

thing, admit it - and then find

out about it! And, if you’re

holding an employee accounta-

ble for a wrong doing that you

yourself committed in the past

– and he or she calls you on it –

respond with: “That’s true. I

did do that. And I was wrong,

back then, just like you’re

wrong now.”

5. FOCUS ON THEIR SUCCESS

Provide everyone on your team

with the information, direction,

resources, feedback and sup-

port they need to be successful.

Create/seize opportunities for

team members to learn, grow

and develop. Be a teacher; be a

coach.

6. GET THEM INVOLVED

Whenever practical and appro-

priate, involve employees in

decision making, plan develop-

ment and problem solving. So-

licit their suggestions, ideas

and options. Delegate tasks and

responsibilities and hold them

accountable for the outcome.

7. LISTEN

Hone your listening skills. Fo-

cus on understanding the mes-

sages your team members (and

others) send to you. Demon-

strate, by your listening behav-

iors, that you care what others

think, feel and have to say.

8. SHOW YOUR

APPRECIATION

Acknowledge and thank em-

ployees for their efforts and

contributions. Let team mem-

bers know that good work is

truly important – and that

good workers are valued and

appreciated. Celebrate achieve-

ment!

9. RESPECT THEIR TIME

Remember that your team

members have important

10 Ways to Be the Kind of Leader Others Want to Follow:

Continued next page

4 The Roll Call, February 28th, 2015

THE ROLL CALL IS PUBLISHED

EXCLUSIVELY BY THE HAMILTON

COUNTY SHERIFF’S

OFFICE LOCATED AT

600 MARKET STREET,

CHATTANOOGA, TN 37402

(423) 209-7000

FAX: (423) 209-7001

THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR IS

G. A. BENNETT. THE OPERA-

TIONAL EDITOR & PUBLISHER IS

JOHN E. WATERS.

CONTRIBUTING TO

THIS ISSUE ARE:

JANICE ATKINSON,

G.A. BENNETT,

ALLEN BRANUM,

JIM HAMMOND,

JOHN WATERS AND

SHANNON WILSON

The Cotton Tail Commentary by John Waters

A recent terrorist threat to bomb the Mall Of The

Americas in Bloomington, Minnesota, raised a few law

enforcement antennae. Other mall owners beefed up

security - and the story faded with yesterday’s news. Yet, while

Bloomington is nearly a thousand miles away up I-24, such threats

are possible - perhaps even here. Going the other way on I-24 in

our state, animosity toward the building of a mosque occurred with

suspected arson. I asked a Jewish friend of mine if the folks in his

local synagogue were afraid, given the history of anti-Semitism

world wide. His response was unsettling. “I think the added secu-

rity is just so much window dressing. Those guys could at least get

out of the car once in a while and look around.” Should anyone visit

the mall in Amman, Jordan, they would have to go past a series of

barricades and security just to get into the parking garage! The

same thing is true if one tried to go out for a meal at a nice hotel.

Limited movement? Perhaps, but the people don’t seem to mind

the added protection. Heightened vigilance here is necessary. Law

enforcement must continue to focus on who the threatening people

and organizations are. As my Jewish friend suggested, we can ill-

afford to have window dressing protection while someone drives a

car bomb through the window of a mall, synagogue or daycare.

priorities to manage. Don’t expect them to drop what-

ever they’re doing every time you want something or

whenever you feel the need for a meeting. Be a help

rather than a hindrance when it comes to employee

time management.

10. DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

When you see or hear of something that requires at-

tention, jump in and deal with it. Don’t procrastinate

or offer excuses for not dealing with issues – especial-

ly those that are difficult or distasteful. No one wants

to follow a leader who shies away from the tough

stuff and fails to take care of business.

(Excerpts from the book: Peer Today, Boss Tomorrow

AB

Good Boss

Great listener

Communicator

Courageous

Sense of

humor

Shows

empathy

Decisive

Takes

responsibility

Humble

Shares

authority

Bad Boss

Blank wall

Doubter

Secretive

Intimidating

Bad temper

Self-centered

Indecisive

Blames

Arrogant

Mistrusts

(copied)

The Roll Call, February 28th, 2015 5

Pictured: Captain Bill Johnson, Detective

Mickey Rountree and Sheriff Jim Hammond.

Deputy Mickey Rountree, who recently was

promoted to the rank of Detective, received

his new badge from Captain Bill Johnson at

the weekly staff meeting held on February 19,

2015.

Congratulations, Detective Rountree.

Pictured are Deputy Wesley Chambers, his

wife and daughter along with his father, Chris

Chambers.

Corrections Officer Wesley Chambers was re-

cently promoted to the rank of Corporal.

He received his corporal’s chevrons at the

staff meeting held on February 19, 2015 and

was pinned by his father, retired HCSO Lieu-

tenant Chris Chambers.

Congratulations Corporal Chambers.

Pictured from left to right: Pam Hargis, Ser-

geant John Hargis, Brittany Hargis and Sheriff

Jim Hammond.

Corrections Corporal John Hargis was recent-

ly promoted to the rank of sergeant. He was

pinned by his wife, Pam and daughter, Britta-

ny at the weekly staff meeting held on Febru-

ary 19, 2015.

Congratulations Sergeant Hargis.

Promotions

Submitted by Janice Atkinson

6 The Roll Call, February 28th, 2015

In The News - Law Enforcement New: autonomous reconnaissance vehicle

Reconnaissance vehicles are

designed to operate in rugged

and remote terrain. For this

reason, the design has focused

a great deal of attention to op-

erator ergonomics and work-

ing environment. The vehicle’s

system integrate with several

cameras, a radar system and

GPS. It also features real-time

transmission and relay to a

“man in the loop.”

Aside from its civilian uses,

the various security and HLS

uses or missions this autono-

mous vehicle is suited for are

many and varied. They range

from gather visual intelli-

gence, border patrol, artillery

support, target tracking, polic-

ing and control. These vehicles

can also be armored against

light firearms as well as be fit-

ted with reactive armor.

This vehicle is based on a 4X4

platform, in order to enable

maneuverability in any envi-

ronment, including rugged

terrain. It comprises numer-

ous and essential innovations,

rendering it a truly new re-

connaissance vehicle, rather

than a traditional observation

van. These innovations range

from logistic, operational and

maintenance survivability to

streamlined operation

by a small team of two.

The vehicle’s v230 cur-

rent electric supply

comes from a light gen-

erator. In addition, there

are two deep-cycle bat-

teries, which serve as a

mobile “battery bank”

and can be charged

when the car is running,

whether during routine

or operational modes.

The vehicle also features

V12 and V24, as well as

current stabilization to

safeguard sensitive elec-

tronic equipment

onboard.

Electric pistons serve as

vehicle stabilizers. They

are capable of detaching

it from the ground and

level it using an auto-

matic, electronically

controlled system.

This smart system

knows how to adjust the

car’s levelling to different ter-

rains, in accordance with the

mission venue. This is a major

innovation, since hitherto, ob-

servation vehicles have fea-

tured heavy, expensive sys-

tems of hydraulic pistons.

This innovative electric hy-

draulic system comes on at a

touch of a button in the frame-

work of operational modes.

iHLS News

The Roll Call, February 28th, 2015 7

Resilient Technologies’ Non Pneumatic

Tire Tires are akin to that old nursery

rhyme that begins with, “For want of a

nail the shoe was lost” and ends with, “For

want of a battle the kingdom was lost.”

Working tires mean the difference be-

tween a successful mission and one that

goes bust, along with all the repercus-

sions. Now, a new type of an airless tire

might make a real difference. The recently

unveiled tire may soon be used by securi-

ty and police forces in the US and world-

wide.

The feasibility of the new bullet proof tire

was first showcased a few years ago – but

now, it nears wide use by military and se-

curity forces. The new tire was jointly

developed by the University of Wisconsin

-Madison and a local company based in

nearby Wausau. The team came up with a

37-inch, bullet proof Humvee tire based

on a polymeric web. It’s so cool looking,

there’s no need for hub caps.

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory

awarded a four-year contract to Resilient Tech-

nologies and Wisconsin-Madison’s Polymer En-

gineering Center to continue the development

and testing of the NPT – “non-pneumatic

tire” (no air required).

This tire is designed to support the weight of

add-on armor, survive an IED (Improvised Ex-

plosive Device) attack, and still make a 50 mph

getaway. It is basically a round honeycomb

wrapped with a thick, black tread.

The military wants an alternative to the current

Humvee “run flat” tires, which despite their

name, still need a minimal amount of air pres-

sure to roll. These tires might still leave troops

stranded after being shot at or blown out.

The patent-pending design mimics the precise,

six-sided cell pattern found in a honeycomb. Ac-

cording to the developers, it best duplicates the

“ride feel” of pneumatic tires. iHLS news

New Technology For First Responders New honeycomb tire good for times when there are natural

disasters, rough terrain or terrorist attacks

8 The Roll Call, February 28th, 2015

On September 26, 2014, Corrections Depu-

ties Jonathan Walker, Rodney Lee, Krystl

Wofford and civilian employee, Veronica

Elliot discovered that two arrestees had

been transported to the Hamilton County

Jail under mistaken identities by two dif-

ferent agencies. Deputies Wofford and

Walker made the initial discoveries. Using

the fingerprint identification system, Depu-

ty Lee found the identify of one of the ar-

restees had been due to a mistaken identity

and one arrestee was arrested on a war-

rant for his twin brother. However the

twin brother had two different FBI num-

bers which Ms. Elliot verified. The errors

were corrected and reported to their supe-

riors and the other agencies were notified.

Deputies Walker, Lee, Wofford and civilian

employee Elliot exemplify the role of dedi-

cated public servants and are in keeping

with the highest standards of the Hamilton

County Sheriff ’s Office. Pictured on the

right are Sheriff Hammond with Deputies

Lee, Walker and civilian employee Elliot.

Not present for the presentation and pic-

ture was Deputy Krystl Wofford.

Congratulations Deputies Walker, Lee, Wof-

ford and civilian employee Elliot.

Certificates of Commen-dation and Challenge

Coin Presentations

The Roll Call, February 28th, 2015 9

During the week of June 6-14,

2014, the Hamilton County

Sheriff’s Office teamed with

the local TDOC Probation and

Parole Office for an under-

cover/plain clothes operation

at the Riverbend venue to

check for compliance of sex

offenders assigned to both the

TDOC and the Sheriff’s Office

for monitoring. Four sex of-

fenders were arrested within

the venue site and warrants

were obtained on two addi-

tional offenders. During this

operation, Deputy Jessica

White was essential to the

success of the mission.

Through Deputy White’s at-

tentiveness and knowledge of

the registered sex offenders in

Hamilton County, she was

personally able to identify

three offenders inside the

venue resulting in their ar-

rests. Deputy White’s com-

mitment to duty and high

standard of excellence de-

serve recognition. She exem-

plifies the role of a dedicated

public servant and is in keep-

ing with he highest standards

of the Hamilton County Sher-

iff’s Office.

Accordingly, a Certificate of

Commendation and Sheriff’s

Challenge Coin were awarded

to Deputy Jessica White.

Presented by Jim Hammond,

Sheriff and Allen Branum,

Chief Deputy

Detective Jimmy Higdon 2014

Certificate of Commendation and Challenge Coin Presented To Deputy Jessica White

Continued next page

Certificates of Commendation and Challenge Coins were awarded this month for the Annual “Guns & Hoses”

Battle of the Badges for both 2013 and 2014

Those who participated as fighters in the 2013 Annual

“Guns & Hoses” Battle of the Badges were Jimmy Higdon,

Blake Kilpatrick, Kelly Felix and Demetrius Johnson.

Those who participated as fighters in the 2014 Annual

“Guns & Hoses” Battle of the Badges were Jimmy Higdon,

Blake Kilpatrick, Kyle Odom and Robert Starnes.

Each of these fighters exemplify the role of a dedicated public

servant and are in keeping with the highest standard of the Ham-

ilton County Sheriff’s Office. Accordingly, these Certificates of

Commendation and Sheriff’s Challenge Coins were awarded to

each of the fighters mentioned above.

This yearly event between local firefighters and law enforcement Deputy Demetrius Johnson 2013

10 The Roll Call, February 28th, 2015

personnel has brought great pride to our

agency as well as a valuable contribution to

the YMCA –YCAP West Side Boxing Club, a de-

linquency prevention program and the For-

gotten Child Fund, a Christmas charity of the

firefighters and law enforcement officers.

Our HCSO fighters this year helped the “Guns

& Hoses” Battle of the Badges to generate

profit proceeds of $13,000 which was divid-

ed equally between these two charities.

Director Bennett

As I write this, I feel a bit dis-

connected. For the last few

months I have been unable to

tend to my responsibilities at

the sheriffs office. I have been

dealing with an eyesight issue

that has limited my involve-

ment. That being said, I am

happy to report that I am recov-

ering after a corrective surgery

and will be back to full capacity

soon.

During this difficult time I was

encouraged by many of my fel-

low chaplains and friends in the

sheriffs office. For that I say

thank you. Thank you for the

time you give, not only to me

but to our community. Thank

you for keeping us safe, for run-

ning towards danger and not

from it. Thanks is really what

this short article is about - say-

ing thanks to the men and

women at the Hamilton County

Sheriffs Office for all that you

do.

Keep up the good work and

know that what you're doing

makes a difference.

Chaplain Allen Lindon

A day in the life of

a chaplain

The Roll Call, February 28th, 2015 11

What’s Cookin’ @ HCSO!

Comfort Food

MINI MEATLOAF

INGREDIENTS: 1 egg 3/4 cup milk 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1/2 cup quick cooking oats 1 teaspoon salt 1 pound ground beef 2/3 cup ketchup 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons prepared mustard

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a large bowl, combine the egg, milk, cheese, oats and salt. Add the ground beef,

mixing well, and form this mixture into eight miniature meatloaves. Place these in a

lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.

In a separate small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar and mustard. Stir thor-

oughly and spread over each meatloaf.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes.

"A meatloaf mixture of ground beef, cheese and

quick-cooking oats is formed into individually sized

loaves. They are glazed with a sauce of ketchup,

brown sugar and mustard."

Serve with a side of mashed potatoes and peas.

YUM!

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Cook Time: 45 Minutes

Ready In: 1 Hour

Servings: 8