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Press Releases>
WPSO announces fourth addition to CAD Patrol
- K-9 officer “Chesapeake” introduced to team
Minden, La. --
Jul 30, 2009 --
 
Left photo; from left: Sheriff Gary S. Sexton, Lt. Robert Hayden of CAD Patrol, Jennifer Voisin of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, and Deputy "Chesapeake Cindy" proudly joined together on the steps of the Webster Parish Courthouse to formally document the partnership between the Webster Parish Sheriff's Department and Chesapeake Energy Corporation for the sponsorship of the new K-9 officer.
Right photo: CAD Patrol Team Lead and K-9 Handler Lt. Robert Hayden poses with his partner, Deputy "Chesapeake Cindy."
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The Webster Parish Sheriff’s Department announced this week its fourth addition to the newly implemented Community Action Directive Patrol Team. Deputy “Chesapeake Cindy”, a two-year-old female Belgian Malinois, has joined the patrol team as the unit’s new K-9 officer. Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the dog’s namesake, partnered with the Sheriff’s Office and has become her official sponsor.
“At Chesapeake Energy, we have a strong commitment to safe and healthy communities. We are very proud of our sponsorship of ‘Chesapeake Cindy’ which will provide Webster Parish law enforcement additional support for improving the quality of life for Webster Parish citizens,” said Chesapeake’s Director of Corporate Development for Louisiana, Kevin McCotter.
The CAD Patrol team, a special unit developed and funded through a grant awarded by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Governor Bobby Jindal, began providing its community and directive patrol services to Webster Parish in June. Within the first month the results of the team’s efforts proved outstanding.
“We knew these special patrol efforts were needed in addition to our regular 24-hour parish-wide patrol,” explained Chief Deputy Bobby Igo, also the team’s director. “Sometimes particular needs or concerns pertaining to traffic, drug or property issues are brought to our attention. Those often need special attention to troubleshoot and address; hence the development of this unit.”
Igo also pointed to the team’s measurable and documented efforts, which further validated the need for the new unit. According to records kept by the team officers and its leader Lt. Robert Hayden, also the dog’s handler, more than 160 additional hours of specially directed patrol and community policing services were provided in Webster Parish in the past 30 days by the team of three. During that time the team was assigned to 24 separate initiatives based on need in all four segments of the parish. As a result of their efforts, 29 individuals were taken into custody for primarily drug and traffic violations, with a few arrests made on property and violent crimes.
“We quickly saw our suspected need for these services confirmed by the sheer numbers,” said Igo. “The total collected reports indicated the team had addressed more than 160 calls or incidents within the month,” he concluded.
Following the success of the first month, the Department made a decision to expand the team and their ability with the addition of a drug detecting dog. A lengthy search turned up a highly skilled, passive-indicating-trained and nationally certified canine at the Little Rock K-9 Academy.
“Having a nationally certified drug dog on this team will mean that when the officers are out on a call with the dog and she hits on that car a probable cause for search is secured,” explained Sheriff Sexton. “Many times a basic traffic stop leads to a drug arrest. This dog will simply enhance our abilities to properly detect and locate illegal narcotics that may be in a car or on a person.”
The need was justified and the ideal dog was located, but as Sheriff Sexton explains, the price tag was quite hefty.
“Dogs like ‘Chesapeake Cindy’ don’t come cheap. The training and credentials are valuable—and we’ve seen before with other drugs dogs that ‘you get what you pay for’,” said Sexton.
That’s when the Department approached Chesapeake Energy Corporation with a proposal of partnership on the project. According to Jenny Reynolds, public information officer for the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Department, they went to Chesapeake because of the company’s proven commitment to this area of the state.
“They’re helping so many residents of our parish and region economically; and they have sent a message of support to our communities through the various other events and activities they have financially supported,” said Reynolds. “We are certain they will make an excellent partner for us; and we know they’ll be a part of our community for years to come.”
Chesapeake Energy, excited about the proposal of partnership, made the decision to sponsor the new K-9 Deputy with a contribution of $5,000.00 to the Sheriff’s Department. In return, the company was given naming rights to the dog. Deputy “Chesapeake Cindy” made her first public appearance last week during a public education event conducted by the CAD Patrol Team.
According to McCotter, Chesapeake Energy is loyal to the communities in this region and wants to ensure that they make all possible efforts to share the effects of the recent natural gas productions in the area. “The economic benefits of the Haynesville Shale are profound,” he said. “And Chesapeake Energy is dedicated to insuring every corner of the Haynesville Shale community is positively impacted,” he concluded.
Efforts such as this one are “proof” of that commitment, says Sexton. “We couldn’t be happier,” he said. “It’s great to have our department associated with a company like this one—they’re giving back; right back to the community.”
“Chesapeake Cindy” is nationally certified through the National Drug Detector Dog Association. She and her handler, Lt. Robert Hayden, have been formally trained and certified by the Little Rock K-9 Academy. She will formally join the Community Action Directive Patrol Team’s other officers for patrol duty on August 17.
Webster Parish Sheriff's Department
Sheriff Gary S. Sexton
410 Main Street
P.O. Box 877
Minden, LA 71058
318-377-1515
admin@webstersheriff.org
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