We talk about the funny calls, the ironic calls and the newsworthy calls, but in our updates I hope you also see the dangerous and difficult situations we are required to resolve.
Detainee injured himself in patrol car
Last Friday night, residents in Bay Vista called to report an intoxicated driver, who had just parked his van in the area, removed his shirt (which seems to be required behavior if you’re going to commit a crime — just watch an episode of “Cops”), and was staggering around. Officers Phil Whatley and Cory Ditmer found the driver back in his car. The keys were in the ignition. The driver was extremely intoxicated and angry.
Officer Chris Faidley arrived and also spoke with the driver. Officer Faidley said, “I’m Officer Faidley with the Bremerton Police Department,” to which the driver replied, “I want a lawyer — my name is Bailey too.” And, it kept going that way from there. The driver then advised us he doesn’t talk to cops “because cops shoot innocent people.”
He was detained for suspicion of DUI. He was placed into the rear of a patrol car and immediately began slamming his head into the partition. Officers tried to stop him, but he continued. A soft red helmet we use for these kinds of situations was placed on his head. It didn’t stop the banging, but it was now much quieter and he was not injuring himself. He kept yelling racial slurs and threats at the officers.
After obtaining a search warrant from a Judge to obtain a blood sample, Officer Faidley brought the driver to the police department. The man began shaking his head and slamming it so hard into the wall, yelling that he was going to put his head through the sheet rock, that his helmet flew off and we had to go to plan B. He went to the hospital, blood was taken and he eventually went to jail. Nice work by Officers Faidley, Whatley and Ditmer on a difficult case.
The way to do it right
Here is a great example of going the extra mile, and how much it can mean to someone who has been a victim of a crime. Saturday, Corporal Jon Meador took a report of a purse that had been found along the highway near the airport in our city. He found a few items inside, but it did include a Costco membership card.
Rather than just placing the purse into found property, Corporal Meador took the time to research the victim and track her down. He found her at a new address in Belfair and returned the purse. She was very appreciative; the purse had been taken from her car while parked at work in Mason County. Not the biggest case in the world, but it meant a lot to one person — that’s the way to do it right.
Nearly half of March arrests for order violations
At this week’s City Council meeting, I mentioned to the Council Members that, of the 205 arrests we made in March of this year, almost 40 percent were for warrants issued by either the district court or the Department of Corrections for violations of release or court orders.
Sunday night, officers were dispatched to an address on Fourth Street for people fighting in the alley. Officers arrived with several people in the breezeway of the apartment complex, but it didn’t appear anyone was fighting at that moment. Sgt. Randy Plumb saw at least one person standing in the laundry room and when the person saw him, they slammed the door shut.
When the manager unlocked the door, officers performed a quick search of the laundry room, and there was nobody there. Officers then noticed the wall from the laundry room into the adjacent apartment had been kicked in. As it turns out, that apartment belonged to the apartment manager, who allowed officers to enter the apartment and search.
The officers located two people hiding under the manager’s bed, much to his surprise, and theirs. Both had Dept. of Corrections Escape from Custody warrants. The manager didn’t know either of them. They went to jail on their existing warrants and new charges were filed for criminal trespassing in the first degree.
No one runs from an Ejde
Also on Sunday night, Officers Derek Ejde and Michelle Griesheimer investigated an interrupted vehicle prowl on Winfield Avenue. They found two juvenile suspects, one of whom was hiding under a car. As Officer Ejde went to detain one of the juveniles, the youth took off in a full sprint.
No one runs from an Ejde. He quickly caught the errant adolescent, who by all accounts was extremely obnoxious. The officers were able to clear thefts from several cars in the area. They were able to locate one of the vehicles, and return the missing items to the owner. Both juveniles were taken to juvenile detention for numerous charges. Awesome job!
Farewell to former BPD K-9 Lance
Last week, we sent out a Twitter message on the passing of former BPD K-9 Lance, who was partnered with both Sgt. Billy Renfro and Officer Glasgow during his service from 2005-2012. Lance passed away after spending his last few years at Sgt. Renfro’s home.
Many thanks to Sgt. Olson
Sgt. Randy Olson was recognized at the Bremerton Council meeting for his service as he will be retiring from BPD at the end of the month. Many thanks to Sgt. Olson for his 28 years of giving back to our department and our community!
