Continuing Education

Many Citizens’ Police Academy alumni remained in contact with officers and fellow students they met in the program. In these discussions, Citizens’ Police Academy alumni expressed their interest in continuing their law enforcement education as it relates to the community and in assisting the Wheeling Police Department in keeping their neighborhoods safe. To this end, the Wheeling Police Department agreed to conduct training programs for WCPAAA members.

Classes

Township High School District 214

Teacher Bob Kupon, Wheeling High School. April 13, 2006.

Close-to-home topics such as: school policies, alternatives the high school uses with certain students, monitoring the students, feeder schools and their support of student activities, and student support to the family. Included concerns relative to sexual harassment and hazing issues and policies.

Public Works

Chuck Spratt, Director of Public Works. February 16, 2006.

Presentation on the various divisions within Public Works. Concluded with a tour of the new facility on Hintz Road.

Evidence Collection

Wheeling Police Officer Mike Kirby. December 13, 2005.

A hands-on class with the inside scoop on how forensics is really collected.

Hurricane Katrina

Wheeling Police Officer Randy Olsberg. November 10, 2005.

Information, personal stories, and photos of the mission and the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS) coordinated the effort to send 150 law enforcement officers, dubbed “Task Force Illinois,” to Louisiana to support local officers and hurricane relief efforts. The first wave of 150 officers left for Louisiana from the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield on Saturday, September 3rd. That first group was rotated out of Louisiana on September 15th, and replaced by a second wave of 150 officers, including Wheeling Police Officer Randy Olsberg.

Task Force Illinois represented 72 law enforcement agencies throughout the state, one of which was the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System Emergency Services Team (NIPAS EST). Officer Olsberg is a member of the Tactical Command Team for NIPAS EST, and is one of sixty specially trained officers of local and state Weapons of Mass Destruction teams consisting of experienced SWAT personnel trained and equipped by ILEAS. Upon their arrival to New Orleans, everything was empty except for rescue people and service personnel, which gave the city a really eerie look.

Wheeling Fire Department Station 24

Wheeling Fire Battalion Chief Jay Gallant and crew. October 13, 2005.

What's the difference between a fire truck and a fire engine?

What does it mean when the white light atop a traffic signal is a steady white and not flashing?

These burning questions were answered during a tour of Station 24.

U.S. Post Office and Postal Inspection Service

Wheeling Postmaster Tonie Jones and Postal Inspector David Colen. August 16, 2005.

Even in today's world of fast-evolving technologies, U.S. Mail remains on the most secure means of transmitting personal information. FTC research indicates that you are three times more likely to suffer the theft of financial information via the phone or the Internet than by the U.S. Mail.

The U.S. Postal System delivers more than 206 billion pieces of mail a year to roughly 142 million customers. U.S. Postal Inspectors are mandated to safeguard all of it and it's included in the price of a stamp.

Bloodhound with a Nose for Police Work

Bannockburn Police Chief Kevin Tracz and Daisy. April 19, 2005.

Daisy, a slobbery, friendly, but well-trained pooch was officially sworn in as the first police bloodhound in Bannockburn, and quite possibly Lake County.

In rural areas, such bloodhounds are used to locate lost campers and hikers, while in more urban areas, they can be used to find both those who are fleeing from a crime scene or missing persons. Daisy has been called into action on a number of such cases since her arrival in Bannockburn.

Following the classroom portion of the presentation, Daisy and Tracz conducted an actual hands-on demonstration.

Tactical Emergency Medical Support

Glencoe Public Safety Officer Mark Wold. July 7, 2004.

Despite peaceful resolution always being the goal of a SWAT team, the unpredictable actions of criminals can sometimes result in casualties. In preparation for such situations, many law enforcement agencies have integrated highly specialized basic emergency medical technicians, intermediate emergency medical technicians, paramedics, nurses, and/or physicians into their SWAT teams.

Out-of-hospital medical support of law enforcement’s tactical teams during training and special operations were discussed, and the officer’s gear and medical equipment used in the field was reviewed.

Accident Reconstruction

Wheeling Police Corporal Mike Rompala. December 2, 2003.

Analyzing and evaluating the dynamics of each vehicle and the response of the human body inside the vehicle to the forces generated by the collision sequence allows the reconstructionist to evaluate issues such as impact speed, driver avoidance possibilities, seat belt use, and how or if an injury occurred. All of these things allow the reconstructionist to accurately put the pieces of a traffic accident investigation puzzle together in order to present a clear picture of how the accident occurred.

Cybercrime

FBI Special Agent Mike Heiler. October 28, 2003.

FBI, cybercrime, and you. Information on Internet crimes, computer hacking, spam, fraud, crimes against children, Internet crime prevention, investigations of Internet crimes.

Workplace Violence

Wheeling Police Officer Randy Olsberg. July 30, 2003.

Workplace violence has emerged as an important safety and health issue in today’s workplace. Its most extreme form, homicide, is the third leading cause of fatal occupational injury in the United States.

Forensic Science

Bill Wilson, director of Cook County Sheriff’s Forensic Laboratory. June 10, 2003.

Introduction to forensic science.

Trace evidence analysis

Firearms identification

Bloodstain pattern interpretation

Crime scene investigation

Actual homicide scenes, so the squeamish… be forewarned!

Bill, a WCPAAA member, provided attendees with an interactive real-life "who-do-it?" to end his class.

Use of Force

Wheeling Police Officer Randy Olsberg. March 15, 2003.

Attendees were tested on their use of force knowledge on a firearms training simulator.

Club Drugs

Mark Henry, Director of the DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group. December 10, 2002.

The disturbing emergence of club drugs.

What club drugs are.

Why parents and communities should be concerned.

Club drug paraphernalia.

Effects of club drugs and signs of club drug use.

Village Ordinance Violations/Issues

Wheeling Health Inspector Mike Boyle. August 27, 2002.

The class provided attendees with helpful, need-to-know information. Mike discussed additional issues, motor vehicles, grading/drainage, and property maintenance. He provided handouts on encephalitis and the West Niles virus. Attendees received information on how to protect homes and yards against mosquitoes.

Terrorism in America

Illinois State Police Sergeant Mike Wargo, assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. June 25, 2002.

Anthrax became America’s next terrorism concern after the September 11th terrorist attacks. President Bush said, "The key thing for American people is to be cautious." And cautious they were, sending Mike and fellow FBI agents, as well as local police departments in Illinois scurrying to keep up with the number of suspicious mail calls and/or suspicious substance calls received. Mike was also involved in the "mailbox bomber" investigation when six people from Illinois and Iowa were injured by a string of pipe bombs. Mike shared information about these two serious incidents, as well as some humorous things encountered during his 27 years in law enforcement.

9/11 Tragedy

Westchester Police Deputy Chief Sam Pulia. May 29, 2002.

After the terrorist attacks in New York City, Sam decided he had to do something to help. So he packed up his van and drove to New York City. He brought his own gear, his police flak jacket, gas mask, gloves, and other supplies. Once Sam got his security clearance and identification badge, the disaster directors put him to work right away. Sam said his first look at the disaster was at night. “The streets were wet and smoke was still coming from the debris,” he said. “The huge construction lights cast shadows throughout the rubble. It looked by Beirut. There were guys wearing yellow hard hats and masks. You could still see flames burning in Tower Two.”

K-9 Demonstration

Wheeling Police Officer Mike Porzycki and Sabre. January 29, 2002.

Sabre is the latest addition to the Wheeling Police Department’s Canine Unit which was formed in 1987. Saber’s predecessor, Nitro, retired in early 2001. Sabre is an eager, young pup raring to go. Sabre is alert and panting with anticipation of playing a significant role in Wheeling’s crime-fighting efforts.

Holiday Safety

Wheeling Police Sergeant Terrie Wisnewski. November 27, 2001.

Safety issues at home, shopping at stores and online, travelling, and holiday parties. Holidays often provides additional opportunities for criminals. Reduce the risk of being a victim.

Traffic Stops

September 18, 2001.

Attendees sat with a Wheeling police officer "partner" in a Wheeling squad as they made different types of traffic stops and/or arrests. This hand-on class illustrated difficulties police officers experience on a daily basis.

Club Drugs

Wheeling Police Officer Paul Smith. July 31, 2001.

The 1990s saw emergence of high energy, all night dance clubs known as rave clubs, which feature hard pounding techno-music and flashing laser lights. Common to rave clubs are club drugs, a group of synthetic drugs often sold at the club site and used by young club goers. Drug quality may vary significantly, and substitute drugs are sold when suppliers are unable to provide the drug currently in demand. These drugs are made by criminals who are profit motivated. These criminals have little regard for the health and safety of the customers they sell illicit drugs to. A buyer never knows what he or she is receiving.

Mobile Field Force

NIPAS Mobile Field Force team and Explorer Scouts. July 16, 2001.

The third outside-the-classroom field trip to Rosemont. Alumni with their guests and others acted as agitators to exercise the NIPAS Mobile Field Force at one of their training days. By the end of the scenario, most of the agitators were arrested, learned a lot in the process about civil disturbances, and were stress-free.

Crime Scene Investigations

Wheeling Police Officer Mike Kirby. April 19, 2001.

Officer Kirby set up a mock crime scene and then explained the various steps and procedures that evidence technicians would follow to bring the case to a successful conclusion.

Road Rage

Wheeling Police Corporal Peter Panagaskis. January 26, 2001.

Incidents of road rage have been increasing on the nation’s highways and roads. Some incidents result in property damage, while others result in personal injury. In this class, attendees learned how to identify the signs of an aggressive driver as well as how to avoid becoming a victim of an aggressive driver. Discussed the differences between road rage and aggressive driving: symptoms, causes, and avoidance techniques.

Ordinance Codes

Commander Eric Larson and Sergeant Terrie Wisnewski, Wheeling Police Department. October 3, 2000.

The first Wheeling Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association annual meeting provided an overview of accomplishments over the past year, as well as future goals.

Commander Eric Larson updated the group on the Village of Wheeling’s Safe Communities program.

Sergeant Terrie Wisnewski of the Wheeling Police Department conducted the continuing education portion of the program. Village Ordinance Codes was chosen by members of the Alumni Association as “most interested in” of all topics listed in a survey. Sergeant Wisnewski discussed local ordinance, when local ordinance tickets are issued, the fines involved, and when court appearances are required. Responsibilities of homeowners, as well as business owners in keeping up the appearance of their properties was also addressed.

Mobile Field Force

May 16, 2000.

Field trip to Rosemont, Illinois to observe the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System’s Mobile Field Force (NIPAS MFF) in action on one of their training days. Alumni were able to participate as role players in some of the training scenarios, acting as agitators while the MFF team practiced street corner arrests and crowd control formations. It was educational and fun at the same time.

Bomb Squad

Karl Humbert and K-9 Handler Al Giachette and his partner Breston, Cook County Sheriff’s Police Bomb Squad. April 19, 2000.

Bombs and booby traps at a scene present additional challenges for officers and their commanders. The ability to quickly recognize evidence or indications of explosives or other hazardous devices becomes very important in preventing injuries and allowing for pre-planned alternate courses of action. Discussed:

The dynamics of their division

Training of officers and scenarios

Equipment used

Past incidents

The K-9 handler and his partner provided a demonstration.

Internet Crimes

Naperville Police Officer Steve Hochstetler. October 13, 1999.

While many parents know to teach their children not to talk to strangers, most never consider all the strangers our children chat with online. And, while they are chatting, children unknowingly share personal information that can help lead a predator right to their home. This presentation discussed things important to all of us and attendees were amazed to learn about some of the information that is available to anyone surfing the net!

Steve went live, on-line to a couple of chat rooms, posing as children, to show the dangers that come calling within seconds.

Mobile Field Force

September 21, 1999.

Field trip to Rosemont, Illinois to observe the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System’s Mobile Field Force (NIPAS MFF) in action on one of their training days. Alumni were able to participate as role players in some of the training scenarios, acting as agitators while the MFF team practiced street corner arrests and crowd control formations. It was educational and fun at the same time.

Fire Department and Paramedics

Wheeling Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac. June 23, 1999.

The history of the Wheeling fire department and paramedics, training requirements, certification, safety issues, and major incident protocols were discussed.

Y2K

Commander Eric Larson and Sergeant John Teevans, Wheeling Police. April 28, 1999.

Potential problems associated with the Year 2000 (Y2K) were discussed. Stories of the pending disaster when everything from elevators to coffee machines would stop working… all because of the two digit date system in computer chips. Anything with a computer chip was thought to be potentially affected including power grids, water supply, food supply, emergency systems, transportation, and finances. In anticipation of individuals worried about ATMs not working properly, the government printed additional money. Thankfully, we survived the “Armageddon” scenarios the media reported.