The Charles County Detention Center is once again hosting its Annual Toy Drive to collect new toys and monetary donations for the Children’s Aid Society. From now until December 9, citizens may leave items in the donation boxes located at any one of our three district stations as well as the CCSO Headquarters, CCDC lobby and the Community Services and Property Management Annex.
The Children’s Aid Society accepts only new, unopened toys. Toys that promote violence will not be accepted. Toys will be distributed by the Children’s Aid Society to children in need in Charles County. Checks can be made out to the Charles County Children’s Aid Society.
Drop off locations are as follows:
• CCSO Headquarters: 6915 Crain Highway, La Plata, MD
• District 1 Station: 6855 Crain Highway, La Plata, MD
• District 2 Station: Bryans Road Shopping Center, 3145 Marshall Hall Road, Bryans Road, MD (Squad Room)
• District 3 Station: 3670 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, MD (Lobby)
• Charles County Detention Center: 6905 Crain Highway, La Plata, MD
• Community Services and Property Management Annex: 10435 Audie Lane, La Plata, MD
Last year, the CCDC collected a total $2,500 worth of gifts for the children in need in our area and hope to meet and exceed that number this year. For more information about the Corrections Division, visit ccso.us.
CCSO Women Making a Difference: Southern Maryland Women’s League Honors Women of Impact
CCDC Director Susie Rice Wins First Responder/Healer Award
From Left to Right: Director Susie Rice, Pfc. Tiffany Smith, Pfc. Katie Goddard and Ms. Sarah Vaughan.
The Southern Maryland Women’s League held its Women of Impact Awards Ceremony and Dinner on Friday, October 23, 2015, at the Waldorf Jaycees Community Center. A total of 45 exceptional women from all over Southern Maryland were nominated for awards in six categories: Young Girls Who Make a Difference, Young Woman Contributor, Woman Entrepreneur, Woman Corporate Contributor, Woman Community Contributor, and First Responders/Healers.
Four women from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office were nominated for awards by members of the community. Charles County Detention Center (CCDC) Director Susie Rice, Pfc. Katie Goddard and Pfc. Tiffany Smith were each nominated for the First Responders/Healers Award. Ms. Sarah Vaughan, Teen Court Coordinator, was nominated for the Community Contributor Award.
At the Awards Ceremony, Director Susie Rice was named the winner of the First Responder/Healer category. Director Rice began her career as a Correctional Officer at the CCDC, but her work reached far beyond. She has volunteered in countless charitable organizations throughout the region and has been a supporter of National Night Out, American Cancer Society, United Way, Special Olympics, Christmas in April, the Charles County Fair, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Retired Lieutenant Bonnie Johnston said, “Director Rice is the consummate professional who cares, and it shows not only to Sheriff’s Office employees, but to the community as well.”
“We are fortunate to work with so many women who are not only impactful in their careers with the CCSO, but also in our community,” said Sheriff Troy Berry. “We are very proud of Director Rice and each of the nominees for their efforts throughout the year, which have made a mark in Southern Maryland and beyond.”
CCSO to Implement New Command Structure for Police Districts
Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry and his Executive Command Staff have implemented a new command structure for the Agency’s four district stations. Under the new plan, Districts 1 (La Plata) and 2 (Bryans Road) will merge to become the Southern District and Districts 3 and 4 (Waldorf) will merge to become the Northern District.
The new plan will designate one Captain to lead the Southern District and a second Captain to lead the Northern District. A Lieutenant will then be assigned to a patrol shift in each district, managing the work of their assigned patrol squads and enhancing the Agency’s command presence on the street. The new structure will also increase the number of officers patrolling the county. “The changes mean that a commander will be available at all times, during all shifts, to help oversee Patrol Operations from the ground level. Ultimately, the change will allow us to better serve our citizens,” said Sheriff Berry.
The Southern District will be under the command of Captain Daniel Gimler, a 26-year-veteran of the CCSO. Captain Gimler can be contacted by email at gimlerd@ccso.us or by phone at 301-609-6575. The Northern District will be under the command of Captain RJ Williams. Captain Williams, a 28-year-veteran of the agency, can be contacted by email at williamsrj@ccso.us or by phone at 301-609-6540. The reorganization is effective October 31, 2015.
Maryland Police & Correctional Training Commissions Award “Instructor of the Year” to Three CCSO Officers
On Thursday, October 8, the Maryland Police & Correctional Training Commissions held its 15th Annual Instructor’s Conference. This organization is “committed to the continuous improvement of these professions to better provide for the health, welfare and safety of the people of Maryland.” At this conference, officers from all over the state (including three from the CCSO) were recognized for their work as academy and non-academy instructors.
Corporal Jeremy Hebb, an instructor for the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy (SMCJA), received an Academy Instructor of the Year award. Cpl. Hebb was assigned to the SMCJA for 3 years. His attention to detail was highlighted in the way he prepared for every class, and he brought a wealth of expertise to the academy. Cpl. Hebb holds instructor certifications in defensive tactics, chemical agents, firearms and the Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC). During his time at the academy, Cpl. Hebb was a mentor not only to the recruits he taught but also to his fellow staff members.
Correctional Officer First Class Julie Young, a Field Training Officer (FTO) at the Charles County Detention Center (CCDC), was awarded a Non-Academy Instructor of the Year award. CFC Young goes above and beyond in her daily duties and as an instructor. She instructs courses during the CCDC’s Annual In-service Training and is also a certified ASHI-First Aid, AED, and CPR Instructor. CFC Young has a passion to teach and spread her knowledge and experiences to new officers and is known to place the agency's needs above her own. She has the ability to handle multiple trainees when needed, and she takes great pride in her abilities as an instructor and the capabilities of the new officers she trains when they complete the FTO Program. Due to her great communication skills, job knowledge, and willingness to help others, CFC Young is seen as a “go to” officer by many of her co-workers.
Mr. William “Bill” Siko, a part-time Firearms Instructor for the SMCJA, also received a Non-Academy Instructor of the Year award. Bill has been a firearms instructor for 25 years and, prior to his retirement in 2008, was the Captain of the United States Capitol Police Pistol Team. Bill is always willing to use his extensive experience to help solve shooting problems for his agency as well as other agencies’ recruits attending the academy. Bill’s expertise leads other instructors to seek out his advice and guidance for their own shooting needs.
“These three instructors are very deserving of this recognition,” said Captain Michael McGuigan, Commander of the Training Division for the CCSO. “They are respected by the trainees and their peers for their dedication.”
“Great instruction is essential for the future success of the agency,” said Sheriff Troy Berry. “We are very proud of the commitment to leadership and integrity that has been displayed by Cpl. Hebb, CFC Young, and Mr. Siko.”
CCSO Traffic Operations Unit Officers Recognized Statewide
Recently, several officers within the Charles County Sheriff’s Traffic Operations Unit were recognized for their outstanding work by statewide organizations.
On September 28, the Maryland Highway Safety Office (MHSO) hosted its Smooth Operator awards luncheon in Glen Burnie, MD, to acknowledge the outstanding law enforcement efforts of the 2015 Aggressive Driving Campaign. Cpl. Shayne Stanley and Cpl. Kristian Syvertsen of the CCSO both received awards along with other law enforcement officers from the many participating agencies in Maryland and the District of Columbia.
On September 23, Sgt. Jon Burroughs, Cpl. Stanley and Cpl. Syvertsen, along with 51 other law enforcement officers from all over Maryland, earned the Maryland Highway Traffic Safety Office's Traffic Safety Specialist (TSS) Award. The TSS program is a statewide recognition of police officers who have attained distinctive levels of experience, training and proficiency in Highway Safety and Traffic Enforcement methods and procedures. The TSS Designation is awarded by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC), and the program is open to all police officers, deputy sheriffs and state troopers from all Maryland Law Enforcement agencies and to certain Federal law enforcement officers. Currently, there are approximately 900 officers enrolled in the program, representing 71 law enforcement agencies throughout Maryland.
On September 13, Cpl. Brad Saunders, a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), received a meritorious recognition award from the MHSO for the volume of DRE (Drug Recognition Evaluations) he conducted during the 2014 calendar year. After becoming certified in July 2014, Cpl. Saunders completed 14 evaluations in the last few months of the year. The MHSO also awarded Pfc. Andrew Fenlon for making the most DUI arrests in Charles County (33 in total) in 2014. Both officers were nominated by Sgt. Tom Woodward, a retiree of the Maryland State Police, who is the State Coordinator for the Maryland DRE Program.
“These officers work very hard to go beyond what is expected of them,” said Captain Kevin Barrows, Commander of the CCSO Special Operations Division. “It is great to see their achievements recognized.”
“The men and women in our Traffic Operations Unit dedicate themselves to the endless task of keeping Charles County’s roadways safe,” said Sheriff Berry. “We are proud of each and every one of them and thankful for their service.”