By BECKY THOMAS
Staff Reporter
Cheney police continued investigating a string of local burglaries last month. A search warrant turned up some stolen items, and detectives plan to issue warrants for the suspects.
“We know who these people are,” Cmdr. Rick Campbell said of the suspects in several burglaries that occurred late last year. “Right now they're in the wind. They know we're looking for them.”
According to the department's monthly accountability review, the burglary investigation along with an effort to restructure department leadership topped January's activity.
Following the departure of longtime Lt. Dave Mather at the end of January, Campbell said the department is advertising for a sergeant position. The restructuring effort will add a third sergeant and reshuffle responsibilities.
Campbell said some of the lieutenant's administrative duties would move to his office, while advisory work with the School Resource Officer and detective would be given to the sergeants.
“We're top-heavy right now, or we were,” Campbell said. “We think this will save us some money and get more interaction for the detective and SRO.”
SRO Dane Gillman had a busy month in January, handling 56 calls over 29 in December. He also spoke to three health classes about making good decisions and avoiding drugs and alcohol. Gillman also began work on a program to register valuables brought to school to help recover items that get stolen.
Calls for service jumped in January; dispatch handled 695 calls over 457 in December. Arrests were also up, 56 over 42 in December.
The Information Technology department, part of the police department, dealt with increased help desk calls and work orders in January after the city implemented a new system for city department to report computer problems.
Becky Thomas can be reached at [email protected].
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