The badge, Winter 2009

86th Trooper School
What's Inside Message from the Commissioner 86th Trooper School Graduates Troopers Participate in 2009 Inauguration
G-TACT Safety Campaign Headlines Across Georgia

A Message from the Commissioner

As we travel down life's highways and byways, we never really know where our journey will end and what experiences we will encounter. Certainly no one foresaw the dramatic financial

crisis in which we now find our state and our country. In fact the entire financial structure of the

world as we know it is struggling with the economy on a day-to-day basis. While many "experts"

say that we are in a depression that will end in a year or two, there are just as many pundits with

economic expertise who say otherwise. I, for one, have no insight as to when it will conclude and

when we will enjoy prosperous times again.

What I do know is that the faltering economy has mandated that we in the Department of Public

Safety must re-evaluate what we do, how we do it, what costs are involved, and can we do anything

more efficiently and/or effectively?

I won't bore you with a lot of numbers, but our budget, along with every other agency in state Colonel Bill Hitchens government, has borne the brunt of the budget ax. The analogy I typically use is that we all have a

family budget. We put money that we earn into the bank and then we pay our bills when they come

due. The art is to always have a sufficient amount in the bank to cover your expenses. The Georgia Constitution mandates that

state government must balance the budget. The state is prohibited from writing a check or encumbering a debt that it doesn't

have the money in the bank to cover. My guess is that few of us have ever had a $20 billion annual family budget to contend

with, but the principles are the same. When there are insufficient tax revenues to meet the state's budget, expenditures must be

reduced. Therein lies the cause of our current dilemma.

The truth of the matter is that I believe we will make it through this crisis relatively unaffected. The command staff and

our financial personnel have worked diligently to identify innovative ways to save money and prevent furloughs and/or Reductions

in Force (RIF). We are driving older cars, curtailing travel and expenses that are not mandated, and we have been able to

move some personnel around into positions that are not funded with state appropriated funds. We are currently moving to a

new Regional Computer Aided Dispatch/Records Management System that will save significant monies, and we have many

authorized positions that have been left vacant in order to make our budget balance.

Again, I certainly hope the current crisis is of short duration and we can soon return to the operational tempo that we

are accustomed. I have heard very little griping about budget issues from our personnel and that tells me two things: (1) They

understand the problem we are facing; (2) When they look around they realize how fortunate we are. Thanks to all of you for

your understanding and support!

The Badge is published

Chaplain's Corner - Words of Strength, Wisdom, and Courage
Rev. Charles Houston

quarterly by the Public Information Office of the Georgia Department of Public Safety as an

As author of the book of Psalms, when David prepared to rest for the night on his journey he must have looked up to see the guard protecting him and his traveling companions. Seeing this guard reminded him of the One who stands sentinel over all of life. With that image in mind, he wrote

information service for Department members and retirees.

these words in Psalm 121:1-5; "I lift up my eyes to the hills--from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved: He who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your

HONORABLE SONNY PERDUE
Governor

keeper..." This same God who stood guard over those travelers also watches over every member of the
Department of Public Safety. No trooper, no MCCD officer, no Capitol Police officer, those we love,

Colonel BILL HITCHENS Commissioner

or any one of us is ever truly alone when we think we are alone. What an affirmation this is for us! When we are feeling alone, lost, confused, and helpless, or experiencing any other negative emotion or circumstance, our Lord is there with us. We are not alone; we are not out on a limb by ourselves.

LT. Colonel FRED SNELLINGS Deputy Commissioner

In his book, "Beyond the Badge", Lieutenant Charles "Chuck" Ferrara, NYPD (ret.) and now ordained minister and police chaplain tells of chasing a junkie through an abandoned building. He could hear his "prey's footsteps" laboring up the steps ahead of him. A door slammed in the distance and as he ran up to it, he almost burst through. However, he "stopped dead on the inside of the roof door". He carefully opened it to find a piece

Gordy Wright, Director Franka Young, Editor Allison Hodge and Susan Holloman, Photography

of cardboard on the floor which he poked only to see it plunge "two stories below into a pile of plaster, metal, and glass." He asked, "What was it that stopped me from going through that door?" He says, "I have gone through more roof doors than I would like to remember and have never paused, never stopped." What stopped him? Hear him, "I am convinced to this very day, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that is was the hand of God...." It is the same God who kept sentinel over the author of Psalms, the same One who will keep you safe in "your going out and your coming in, from this time and forevermore" (Psalm 121:8).

The Badge
Public Information Office P.O. Box 1456
Atlanta, GA 30371-1456 Website: dps.georgia.gov Phone: (404) 624-7597
Fax: (404) 624-7627

86th Trooper School Graduates
Forty-seven new troopers patrol Georgia roads after completing the 86th Georgia State Patrol Trooper School. Governor Sonny Perdue was the keynote speaker for graduation exercises at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth on February.
The new troopers completed a 33week, rigorous training school that included specialized training in impaired driving enforcement, pursuit driving, firearms, drug interdiction techniques, as well as extensive training in traffic crash investigations and self-defense. Colonel Bill Hitchens, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said the 47 new troopers have earned the right to wear the traditional "big hat" of the Georgia State Patrol.
"These troopers have received the best training available in the country," Colonel Hitchens said. "They have undergone grueling physical, textbook, and field training to prepare them well for a career in the dangerous profession of law enforcement."
The new troopers have also completed 12 weeks of field training supervised under the guidance of seasoned troopers. The graduates of the 86th Trooper School were assigned to vacancies at the State Patrol's 48 patrol posts across the state.
Troopers Participate in 2009 Inauguration

Report Suspected Impaired Drivers
The Georgia State Patrol and cell phone providers in Georgia are pleased to offer Star G-S-P service for motorists to report suspected impaired drivers. The call is free and you will be connected with the nearest GSP post to your location. Call Star G-S-P (*477) from your cell when you see a suspected impaired driver.

Fifty members of the Georgia State Patrol served as part of the largest security detail for a presidential inauguration in our nation's history. The troopers were in Washington, DC January 18-21. During their duty assignments, the troopers worked in partnership with the uniformed division of the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department to provide security along the Inaugural Parade route and also with crowd control. The Metropolitan Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for ensuring the safe and uneventful progression of the Inaugural Parade and with assisting the U.S. Secret Service with security at the hotels hosting the Inaugural Balls. GSP personnel supplemented the uniformed presence during the Inauguration.
"It was a distinct honor for the Georgia State Patrol to be invited to take part in the historic 56th Inauguration and the troopers who attended did a great job," said Colonel Bill Hitchens. He also noted, "We are all proud of those who participated, and in particular their diligence and perseverance under difficult circumstances. The troopers are to be commended for a job well done."
Planning for the security assignment began in November when the Georgia State Patrol was invited to again assist with Inaugural security by Metro Police. The Georgia State Patrol also provided a security assignment for the 55th Inaugural in January 2005. All expenses for the Inaugural detail, including the troopers' salaries, travel, meals, and lodging were reimbursed to the Department by Metropolitan Police.

Headlines Across Georgia

Deputy Commissioner Serves as Grand

Commissioner Receives the Customer Service

Marshal at Troup County's MLK Jr. Parade Leadership Award for being "A True Leader."

DPS Customer Service Champion Lisa Maier CIU Receives Customer Service of Excellence

Receives Governor's Commendation for

in the Team Category

Motivating Employees

Troopers from Troop C Recognized by Atlanta Police Department for Assistance to their Auto Theft Unit

Brunswick Breaks Ground for New Georgia State Patrol Post

Headlines Across Georgia

Troopers from Troop E Participate in Annual SFC Scott Short Receives Resolutions in the

Toys for Tots Program

House and Senate

Bronze Lion Given to Cpl. Michael Young's DPS Participates in Annual Breast Cancer

Family

Walk for Fourth Year

GSP Vehicles Receive Best Active and Best GSP Honor Guard Presents the Colors Retired Emergency Vehicles During APD's Prior to Falcons Football Game Cops & Rodders Competition

G-Tact Safety Campaign Underway

Law enforcement officers have completed five enforcement waves of the Georgia TACT program since its launch in November 2007. The G-TACT

program, or Georgia Targeting Aggressive Cars and Trucks, is a traffic safety

campaign designed to increase driver awareness of the dangers they face with

risky driving behaviors

around commercial motor

vehicles. The program

combines educational outreach

with traffic enforcement to

reduce the number of crashes

DPS Commissioner, Colonel Bill Hitchens speaks during a press convference launching the fifth enforcement wave.

between commercial vehicles

and much-smaller passenger vehicles. The program is funded with a grant

from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to the Georgia

Department of Public Safety. The enforcement areas have included the following

corridors: I-75 in Bartow and Cobb counties, I-95 in Chatham county, I-85

in Gwinnett, Barrow, and Jackson counties, I-20 and I-520 in Columbia and

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator John Hill, speaks Richmond counties, and I-75 in Lowndes and Cook counties. The next wave

during the kick-off press conference for G-TACT in Bartow Co. is planned for I-20 in Carroll

and Douglas counties this

summer. These areas were

selected based on traffic crash data. Commercial motor vehicle crashes with

passenger vehicles in Georgia account for an average of 15 percent of Georgia

highway fatalities each year and almost 90 percent of the people killed are

occupants of the smaller vehicle. The majority of commercial vehicle crashes

are caused by a driving mistake made by the driver of the smaller passenger

vehicle.

In addition to cautioning drivers to "leave more space," law enforcement

officers watch for drivers of

both cars and trucks that are

tailgating, changing lanes One of the specially-wrapped tractor-trailers takes a trip around too quickly, crossing the gore the track prior to the race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

or median, driving recklessly,

speeding, driving in the emergency lane, failing to signal when changing lanes,

operating a vehicle without an appropriate valid license, and trucks over six

wheels traveling in the left lane.

Billboards, public service announcements, commercial radio spots,

specially-wrapped tractor trailers, and safety messages on the Department of

Transportation's Overhead Variable Message signs are part of the public

outreach for the G-TACT

Billboards are placed in the areas where the enforcement waves take place to remind motorists to leave more space.

campaign. Additionally, Motor Carrier Compliance

Officers will be conducting

public information and education activities at the Georgia Welcome Center

periodically providing "Leave More Space" safety brochures to motorists. The

G-TACT program is also a sponsor of Atlanta Falcons football games through

the 2009 season.

G-TACT program is a sponsor of the Atlanta Falcons football games through the 2009 season.

Congratulations on Your Retirement!
MCO2 Raymond Adams (Motor Carrier Compliance - Region 8) SCEO Bobby Bacon (Georgia State Patrol - Post 16, Helena) Master Trooper Charlie Banks (Georgia State Patrol - Troop J) S/Tpr. Robert Daniel (Georgia State Patrol - Post 27, Blue Ridge) S/Tpr. Mark Garner (Georgia State Patrol - Post 3, Cartersville) Master Trooper Marc Glover (Georgia State Patrol - Post 33, Milledgeville) Master Trooper Lorenzo Harris (Georgia State Patrol - CIU) SFC Joe Harrison (Georgia State Patrol - Post 5, Dalton) SFC Doug Kiser (Georgia State Patrol - Troop J) MCO III Lawrence L. Roberts (Motor Carrier Compliance - Region 8) Major Chris Long (Motor Carrier Compliance - North Division) Captain Jon Long (Georgia State Patrol - Regional K-9 Commander) SFC Greg Wiley (Georgia State Patrol - Post 33, Milledgeville) S/Tpr. Jeff Williams (Georgia State Patrol - Post 18, Reidsville)
Deaths
Retired Sgt. D.J. "Jug" Brown (Georgia State Patrol) Retired Sergeant First Class Mike Davis (Georgia State Patrol) Retired Driver Examiner Charles Thomas Dorminy Corporal Johnny Hartmeyer (Motor Carrier Compliance) Retired GBI Agent Jerry Longino, Sr. (Former State Trooper ) Retired GBI Inspector Johnny McGlamery (Former State Trooper) Retired Chief License Examiner Charles Sikes Retired Officer Allen Swint (Motor Carrier Compliance) Retired GBI SAC Marvin J. Vandiver (Former State Trooper)

Faithful Service Awards

30 Years
Edna D. Freeman Christopher A. Long
25 Years
Glenda W. Blanton Gwendolyn M. Fulton
Ray L. Howard Dwight L. Redwine George W. Rogers Jackie V. Thurman
20 Years
Luanne S. Bailey John W. Cannady Roxanne D. Carwell J. Paul Cosper, Jr. Melanie M. Edmiston Gary L. Greene Steven J. Harrison Debby M. Hitson Lisa G. Johnson
Joe B. Lacey Bettina G. Layfield
Gary W. Mills James L. Rowell Robert R. Smith Lloyd Ernest Strickland Mark H. Willis
15 Years
Terry L. Abbott William F. Amos Timothy D. Brock Michael J. Brown Robert W. Chaffin Charles G. Evans, III George R. Harper David J. Herring William W. Hitchens, III Roger D. Hobby John C. Homer, IV Larry B. Hornsby, Jr. David L. James

Jack S. Joiner Jonathan M. Parker
Mark S. Perry Jason C. Riner Jeffrey B. Scott Donald D. Smith, Jr. Christopher C. Wright
10 Years
Brian G. Abney Kathryn M. Adams Cheryl A. Bonham Jonathon W. Bracewell Brandy M. Cochran Thomas C. Drinnen Daniel L. Freeman Jody Q. Garrison
Paula D. Gibbs Vicki J. Gilmer Michael W. Goins Dante F. Hackney Jeremy K. Hall Darryl B. Jackson Wesley M. Kerce Ronnie H. Lee Michael W. Marsh Adam W. Pledger Mary A. Rogers Lance G. Scott Russell D. Taunton John W. Vanlandingham, Jr.
5 Years
Roland R. Copeland Saleana Langford
Matthew R. Montgomery Stephen B. Moore Rodney Pickle Amanda L. Stepp Leslie Tomme Peggy E. Willis