Chickasha Rotary Club

Chickasha Rotary Club

May 5, 2016

President Brad called the meeting to order.

Guest:  Kara Bacon with (Tim Brower) 

Visiting Rotarians: None

Sgt. Of Arms was absent.  Jim Allen stepped in to fill the office.  

Sunshine Report:  Michael Oberlender reported that Jerry Pittman continues to heal and pointed out that Jerry was present at the meeting and let Jerry know we are all praying for him.  

Kory Kirkland Introduce his program Stewart Steele---Chickasha Police Chief.  He and his wife Lacy have 5 sons and 1 daughter.  He wanted to be a police officer his whole life.  He has been a police officer for about 30 years now.  He has worked in just about every unit in the department.  That gave him a vast knowledge place in the police force.  He did all training he could get his hands on.  He went to college and hold a bachelors degree and a masters degree.  He did attend the FBI national academy.  

He feels lucky to find Chickasha as his next step in his career search.  During the interview processes he and his wife both flew out to Chickasha and fell in love.  He started as Chief of Chickasha on Aug. 24, 2015.  He has approached the job without a knee-jerk reaction.  He observed many things and wanted to bring change slowly.  

One thing he wanted to change right off the bat was technology.  Especially in the police cars and the ability to do their reports in the car.  he got with the assisted chief and they got to work and to date they can do reports in their car.  They still have to do some of the reports in their car but for the most part they can do their reports in the car.  

They have been allowed to get a tracking system for the reporting room.  They not only can track the evidence but also they can now track items belonging to the force.  Another area they are adding is a person to do the crime analysis.  There is a person who is in mind that is in academy now and then they will have to go through a FTO Filled Training Officer.

Second improvement was to work on the communication center.  It was in need of much attention.  He took it to the City Manager and got support to move on those improvements.  They also started replacement equipment that was outdated.  

Third thing they are improving on is the fleet of vehicles.  They are going to be adding 11 vehicles.  And the cost would be about the same as 3 vehicles which was already budgeted for.  They come with all the lights and necessary equipment.  A question was asked about if the new vehicle would have window tenting.  They will have the tenting for a main reason is the heat control.    

He was very supportive of the city councils backing.  What he wants to get done in the future are; More community projects done, Police explorer program, More Training and to become an accredited department.  

If you read this report could you please email revoberlender@yahoo.com and say " I read it".  Just a little social experience.  

Thank you for a great program