Police Volunteers Ready To Serve Snowflake And Taylor

By Naomi Hatch
   There has been a considerable amount of growth in the Snowflake-Taylor community, which has increased demands on emergency services, including law enforcement.
   This influx of residents has made it more difficult for the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department (STPD) to provide services. Police Chief Jerry VanWinkle anticipates that the police volunteer program will be a great help to the department and the community.
   On Tuesday, Sept. 22, VanWinkle reported to the Snowflake Town Council, “I just got back from the graduation for volunteers in policing group,” and explained that STPD teamed up with Navajo County to train volunteers. That evening there were 22 graduates from the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteer Academy and the Volunteers in Policing Volunteer Academy, noting eight of those are volunteers for STPD.
   VanWinkle said that the volunteers will take some of the non-enforcement jobs from sworn officers, which will allow sworn officers more time for enforcement and crime prevention.
   Chief VanWinkle stated in the Sept. 17 manager’s report, “Our volunteers have already proven to be a great assistance during our recent town’s celebrations,” noting that previously they have relied on 30-35 sheriff’s office volunteers for parades and other town events. He noted, “Now we can rely on our own.”
   STPD would like to increase the volunteer program to twenty active volunteers. Anyone interested in participating in the program should contact Sgt. Alan DeWitt at 536-7500.
   Chief VanWinkle also reported to the town councils that 36 applications were received for an officer position with only one of those being currently certified in Arizona. A total of 29 applicants participated in the physical fitness test, with 12 of those passing and taking the written test and oral board interview, where six of those passed and are candidates for the position.
   In a second group, there were 15 applicants. The selection has been narrowed down to three non-certified applicants, but a final selection has not yet been made to send to the police academy that begins Nov. 10. VanWinkle noted that background investigations have begun and he will conduct final interviews this week.
    VanWinkle also reported that from Sept. 2-29 STPD answered 1,292 calls. From Aug. 17-Sept. 17, there were 1,449 total incidents, 943 calls for service, 280 traffic stops, seven accidents, 21 felonies, 47 misdemeanors, and a total of 49 arrests.
   A website is available where residents can view reported crimes and traffic stop information on a map of the community. This site gives an idea of where crimes and other activities take place in the community. The website is www.crimereports.com.