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BulletinVol. XVII, Issue II, Spring 2016

OfficialPublicationof the

Gastonia PoliceDepartment

InsideGreetings

From The ChiefPage 2

Shop with a CopPage 3

Jarod Ewers Earns Traffic Certificate

Page 4

Chili Cook OffPage 5

Aaron Wurster &Shaunte Southern

Promoted to SergeantsPage 6

Gladys Grier RetiresPage 7

Robert C. Helton, Chief of Police

GC3 & Police Sign Covenant

CovenantSigningCeremony The Gaston Clergy &Citizens Coalition (GC3)signed a covenant withlaw enforcementofficials in GastonCounty On March 17 atSt. Stephen’s UnityPlace in Gastonia.During the ceremony aunity candle was lit bythe Rev. Daisy Henry ofGod’s Way MinistryChurch, and the Rev. Dr. Joan Martin ofCovenant Village.(Photo by DonnaLahser)

Chief Robert Helton joined withother local law enforcementleaders to sign a covenant with

the Gaston Clergy & Citizens Coalition(GC3) on March 17 at St. StephensUnity Place in Gastonia.

Creation of the covenant started aftera meeting in January 2015 between lawenforcement and GC3 for a speakerseries. Following racial unrest across thecountry in the summer of 2015, the GC3decided to be proactive and build ontheir relationship with law enforcementin a more visible and action-orientedway. Several meetings followed with theGC3 Executive Committee, ChiefHelton, Gaston County Police Chief JoeRamey, and Gaston County Sheriff AlanCloninger to draft a document that

recognized positive work from the past,yet acknowledged there was still workto be done to build even strongercommunity relations.

The covenant includes commitmentson both sides to provide support forcommunity improvement andengagement. For example, clergy willrecommend members of their diversecongregations for police work, and opentheir houses of worship for frank andcandid dialogue during times of crisis.Law enforcement will demonstrate bestpractices in their work, and respond toour community with openness, respect,and in a timely manner.

Original copies of the covenant willbe provided to law enforcementagencies in Gaston County.

The Blue Light Bulletin Spring 2016 Page 2

Greetings From The ChiefExciting Plans For GPD This Year

Spring is here, and we have anexciting year ahead.Challenges arose in 2015 with

changes in manpower, which testedthe determination of our employees.Honor, loyalty and integrity are builtinto the core of those who chose toremain. Their dedication isunmatched and the Gastonia PoliceDepartment is stronger today as aresult. I am pleased to say that weare close to being back up to fullstaffing. The GPD has beenfortunate to hire some talented andexperienced officers and staff. Theyjoin us in our mission to Protect,Serve, and Enhance the Quality ofLife for all.

We look foward to new progressas the GPD 2015-2019 StrategicPlan outlines. The strategic planprovides a guide to our future byclearly defining our organizationalgoals and objectives. Significantprogress has been accomplished inone year within each of the sixgoals. In fact over one-third of theplan has been implemented so theplan will be updated this year.

The Problem Analysis andResearch Center (PARC) has beenhelping officers identify problemareas through the use of data andintelligence sharing for over tenyears. Reports have been available,but the ability to perform basiccrime analysis in the vehicles hasbeen missing for some time. Thisyear, due to a Justice AssistanceGrant, we will be able to implementcrime analysis software that willallow officers, down to the beatlevel, to pull basic crime statistics

and monitor crime patterns in theirareas and citywide. This will allowthe PARC unit to begin focusingmore on intelligence analysis anddata mining of durable or repetitivehotspot locations in the city.

In addition, the GPD is beingproactive with other new

technologies to help improve thedelivery of police services.LeadsOnline, the nation’s largestinvestigation system, has beenadded to help investigators trackstolen property nationwide. We arealso expanding our forensiccapabilities, and providing experttraining to address crimes that occuronline. We will continue to focus onany crime issues that are occurringin our neighborhoods, and worktogether with the neighborhoods toaddress and resolve these issueseffectively.

This spring we will be re-establishing our Street Crimes Unitto help address our crime hotspots.We will also be hosting our firstformal awards ceremony on Friday,May 13, from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.,followed by a candlelight policememorial service. This will be ourfirst formal awards ceremony and Iam excited about it! We have somany great employees, and it is time

to formally recognize their greatefforts! We also will be hosting aFamily Day on Sept. 23. This willbe a family fun day held at RankinLake Park and open to all GPDemployees and their families!

This summer we will beconducting a number of programs toengage the community, and maintainand form new partnerships. OnFriday, May 27, the Gastonia PoliceFoundation is hosting the TindolFord Suburu Gastonia PoliceFoundation Classic GolfTournament at the Gaston CountryClub. The funds raised will benefitand support a number of GPDinitiatives to follow.

On June 4th, we will have the2nd Annual “Unity in theCommunity” 3 on 3 basketballtournament. This year the event willbe held at the Erwin Center, withmany new partners. Our CSI Kidscamp will be June 20-23, and hostedby First Assembly Church.

All our events and programsallow us to provide a service whilemeeting our community and formingpartnerships. We could not do ourjob and be effective if it were not forrelationships in our community. Iappreciate the energy andprofessionalism that each of youbring to these events. This is goingto be a great year, and I lookforward to working with you!

We could not doour job and beeffective if it were not for relationshipsin our community.

Robert C. HeltonChief of Police

The Blue Light Bulletin Spring 2016 Page 3

Shop with a Cop A Huge Success The first annual Shop with a

Cop event, spearheaded bythe Gastonia Police

Foundation, was held on Dec. 12thand started in Gastonia PoliceDepartment’s community roomwhere 30 local youth enjoyed abreakfast with officers and Santabefore embarking on a shoppingtrip at Target.

After breakfast the officers andyouth shopped for an hour atTarget. Each child was paired witha uniformed police officer whoaccompanied them as they shoppedfor clothing, school supplies and afew toys. Each child had a total of$250 to spend.

The money was raised through agrant from Target, a grant from theGastonia Police Foundation,donations from the Gastonia PoliceSergeant’s Association, the sales ofpaper Christmas tree ornaments,and private donations fromemployees of the GPD andmembers of the community.Firestone Grill donated the

breakfast for everyone.“We’re grateful for all the

community support that made thisyear’s Shop with a Cop program

possible, it’s more than we couldhave ever hoped for,” said SteveDriscoll, Gastonia PoliceFoundation President.

Above Officer Patrick Daley, a.k.a. Santa, gives out stockings with gifts.Below Sgt. Adrienne Hall laughs as she helps a child with his shopping.See more photos on page 8. (Photos by Jonas Hansen)

The Blue Light Bulletin StaffExecutive Editor

Chief Robert C. Helton

EditorDonna C. Lahser

Writers/ContributorsMike Lari, E.G. Starling,

Teri Mullinax, Jonas Hansen, Patrick Daley, Mike Schwartz,

Nancy Capistran, Jamin Brackett, Dennis Boyce, Anthony Borja

The Blue Light Bulletin Spring 2016 Page 4

Jarod Ewers recentlycompleted the TrafficEnforcement and

Investigation CertificateProgram by the NorthCarolina Justice Academy.Officer Ewers is the 258thofficer to receive thecertificate since theprogram’s inception in 1999.

The Traffic Enforcement andInvestigation Certificate Program isdesigned to recognize theachievement of law enforcementprofessionals who have dedicatedthemselves to making the highwayssafer for our citizens. Officers,upon completion of the program,will have mastered severalimportant aspects of trafficenforcement and related topics,thus achieving a high level ofprofessionalism for themselves aswell as their department.

The programrequires theparticipants to besworn officers of a lawenforcement agencyand have at least twoyears experience as afull-time officer. Inaddition, participantsare required to have

their agency’s head approval toparticipate in the program due tothe time spent away from theagency in efforts to obtain thetraining needed to completethe program.

The certificate program requires500 hours of training with a focuson traffic enforcement andinvestigation. A core requirementfor the program consists of thefollowing courses: Introduction toTraffic Crash Investigation, At-Scene Traffic Crash Investigation,

Drug Enforcement for PatrolOfficers, Intoximeter EC/IR IIOperator, RADAR, andStandardized Field SobrietyTesting. The core courses consist of203 hours. All other hours neededto complete the program are trafficrelated electives.

The NC Justice Academy,located in Salemburg andEdneyville, develops and conductstraining courses for local and statelaw enforcement professionals. TheJustice Academy provides trainingprograms and technical assistancefor law enforcement professionalsthrough centers of the TrainingDivision: Investigations, Legal,Management, Commission/In-service, Tactical/Traffic.

The Justice Academy is adivision of the NC Department ofJustice under the administration ofAttorney General Roy Cooper.

Ewers Earns Traffic Enforcement Certificate

Ofc. Ewers

House ofWorshipSafety &Security Sgt. Paul Smith, left, andOfficer Patrick Daley,middle, present duringthe House of WorshipSafety and SecuritySeminar on Oct. 23.Chief Robert Helton alsoprovided informationand answered questions.More than 100 peopleattended the trainingwith 45 churchesrepresented. Toschedule this or otherpresentations, you maycall Crime Prevention at704-842-5117. (Photos byDonna Lahser)

The Blue Light Bulletin Spring 2016 Page 5

Sgt. Kevin McSwain made hisretirement celebration extraspicy! Instead of a traditional

ceremony, a chili cook off was heldon Jan. 27 to benefit SpecialOlympics North Carolina.

People lined up in GPD’sCommunity Room for lunch tosample and vote for one of a longrow of crockpots of chili entered inthe contest. In the end Capt. ReidBrafford’s “Wrath of Kevin” chiliwas voted the best. The “RoadKill” and “Just for you Kevin” chiliwon second and third place.

Sgt. McSwain was presentedwith his retirement certificate, aGPD retirement plaque, aDistinguished Service award, hisservice weapon, a night stick fromthe Gastonia Police Sergeant’sAssociation, and a plaque and giftfrom SONC.

Words used to describe himincluded: humble, selfless, thinkingof others, a servant, friend,

confidant and leader.Sgt. McSwain shared

one of his favorite Bibleverses, Micah 6:8: “He hasshown you, oh mortal,what is good. And whatdoes the Lord require ofyou? To act justly and tolove mercy and to walkhumbly with your God.”

“We deal with some ofthe worst, and it can betaxing,” he said. “Godgives us the very breaththat we breathe.”

Sgt. McSwain’s careerbegan with GPD in 1990,but he went to Cherryville PoliceDepartment in 1992 where hebecame a patrol sergeant and K9handler. He returned to GPD in1998, and served as a criminalinvestigator from 1999-2008.

He was promoted to sergeant in2008, and supervised in Patrol, theStreet Crimes Unit, and

Community Coordinators. He has been a department

instructor, a verbal judo instructor,and the Law Enforcement TorchRun coordinator. He served onHostage Negotiations Team wherehe was team commander for twoyears. He also served as presidentof the sergeant’s association.

Chili Cook Off Benefits SONCFor a $5 per person admissionfee, a crowd enjoyed sampling13 difference crock pots of chili.The Chili Cook Off held Jan. 27raised $775 for SpecialOlympics North Carolina.Pictured on the left are ChiefRobert Helton, Assistant ChiefTravis Brittain, Teri Mullinax,Donna Dellinger, and AdamWilson. Below Sgt. KevinMcSwain recognizes Capt. ReidBrafford for winning the cookoff. (Photos by the ID Bureau)

Counselor’s InsightThe Blue Light Bulletin Spring 2016 Page 6

The Power of Expressing Love“I just want to know that y’all

and Jesus love me.” It was a Wednesday night

discussion. The pastor had finishedhis teaching and there was time fora few questions or comments fromthe faithful churchgoers.

I do not remember the name ofthe woman who spoke up. I hadnever seen her before. As far as Iknow, I never saw her again. I donot remember the topic ofdiscussion that night. I do notremember her question or commentother than that one statement, “Ijust want to know that y’all andJesus love me.”

The expression of love is sopowerful. The expression of love isso available. The expression oflove is so scarce. We spend timeexpressing our frustration,

expressing our preferences,expressing our political point ofview; but how much time do wespend expressing our love? There

have probably been days in my lifein which I spent more timeordering food at a drive throughwindow than I did expressing loveto someone.

An expression of love may bean, “I love you.” Please do not beafraid to say it. Say it often. Say it

sincerely. An expression of lovemay also (sometimes morepowerfully) be an act of kindness,an act of forgiveness, or an act ofself-control or mercy. Smile atsomeone. Make eye contact.Listen. All of these actions can beexpressions of love.

Love is beautiful, but love thatis expressed is life changing.Express your love to someonetoday. Your spouse, your children,your parents, and your friends allneed to know that you love them.When you have completed thatmission…then send me a littlelove. Because after all…I justwant to know that y’all and Jesuslove me.

Be safe!

- Chaplain Dennis Boyce

Wurster & Southern Promoted to Sgts.Gastonia

PoliceOfficer

Shaunte Southernwas promoted tosergeant, effectiveFeb. 1 upon theretirement of Sgt.Kevin McSwain,and ABCEnforcementDetective AaronWurster was promoted to sergeanton Sept. 5 upon the retirement ofSgt. Dean Conner, Chief RobertHelton has announced.

Sgt. Southern, 38, joined theGPD in May 2006, and has served

with Patrolsince then. Heserved withthe ShiftTactical Teamfrom 2007-2008, with theSWAT Teamfrom 2008-2010, and hasserved withthe Shift

Tactical Team since 2010. Sgt.Southern holds a bachelor’sdegree in Sociology from NorthCarolina State University, and amaster’s in Criminal Justice fromPfeiffer University.

Sgt. Wurster, 42, joinedthe GPD in July 1999, andworked with Patrol until2002. He was assigned toTraffic from 2002-2010,and served as the City’sABC Enforcement Detectivefrom 2010-2015. He receivedan Exceptional Duty award in2015 for work with the NCSpecial Olympics, and holdsa bachelor’s in Public

Administration degree fromWilkes University.

In a memo to all personnel,Chief Helton wished both sergeantssuccess, and advised everyone togive them their full support.

Sgt. Southern Sgt. Wurster

‘I just want to knowthat y’all and Jesus

love me.’

The Blue Light Bulletin Spring 2016 Page 7

Officer Gladys Griercelebrated her retirementon Oct. 1 with family,

friends and co-workers in theGastonia Police DepartmentCommunity Room.

Officer Grier started her careerin 1986, and has worked withGaston County Animal Control,Gaston EMS, Belmont Police, andjoined the Gastonia Police in 2007.

In her most recent position as aCommunity Coordinator shecoordinated events like the PryorStreet Walk and the Pryor StreetProperty Owners Watch. She alsoworked with the Highland,Cleveland Heights and NorthCentral Community Watches.

She served with Patrol, and in2011 she was appointed to theHostage Negotiators Team. Shewas selected for the Honor Guardin 2011. Her professionalmemberships include the NorthState Law EnforcementAssociation, and the GastonFraternal Order of Police.

SherryDunaway waspromoted to

City Clerk andbegan her newposition on Nov. 2at City Hall. Afarewell celebrationwas held on Oct. 29in the Community Room. Sherryjoined the GPD in 1989, andworked for six police chiefs,earning several Chief’s & Civilianof the Year awards.

***Recent transfers are asfollows: Rachel Hamilton toAdministrative Assistant for theChief. Teri Mullinax toAdministrative Assistant for theAssistant Chief and PoliceAttorney. Jonathan Scher to theCentral District CommunityCoordinator Sergeant. NancyCapistran to the CriminalInvestigations Division Sergeant.Scott Norton to the West DistrictCommunity Coordinator Sergeant.Adam Wilson to ABC EnforcementOfficer. Frederick Williams toCentral District CommunityCoordinator. Pat Spiker to WestDistrict Community Coordinator,and Joe Bain to the TrafficEnforcement Division. PhillipSmith is the new CSI Detective.

***Brian Diyorio, ZackaryWilliams, Caleb Price, and AdrienMoreira have been assigned to theHostage Negotiator Team.

***Chris Northey, Josh Wood,Sam Cain, Steven Hoyle, Nathan

McCraw and Brian DiYorio havebeen selected as Gang IntelligenceLiaisons. Heath McMullan andCody Edge have been selected forthe Mobile Command Team, andZachary Price has joined the ShiftTactical Team.

***Recently appointed PoliceTraining Officer for their rotations:Bryce Carr, Cody Huffstetler,Justin Padgett, Clarence Belton,Sam Cain, Derek Meek, BrianDiYorio, Cody Edge, Josh Smith,and Anthony Johnson.

***Matt Williams and JaredSmith of the Gaston CountySheriff’s Office, and Mark Kelskefrom the Belmont PoliceDepartment have been appointed tothe GPD Multi-JurisdictionalSWAT Team.

***Recently hired officers are:Jeff Henry, 7/13/15; Adam Hudson,7/13/15; Seth Canipe, 7/27/15;Patrick Beaver, 7/27/15; AndrewBrack, 7/27/15; David Lutz,7/27/15; Jesse Yager, 7/27/15;Richard McRee, 9/14/15; ZacharyLechette, 9/14/15; Gregory Tucker,10/5/15; Alycia Isenhour, 11/16/15;Jordan Goins, 11/16/15; BradBumgardner, 12/14/15; JasonMcKinney, 12/14/15; Jason Burns,12/28/15; Allyson Koney, 1/4/16;Holden Prater, 1/11/16;Carmerlitha Whitlock-Almond,1/19/16; and Jonathan Hayes,1/19/16. Others recently hired:PIRT Janis McCormack, 12/7/15,and CID Office Assistant StephanieJamoulis, 2/8/16.

GPD TidbitsSherry Dunaway Promoted, Transfers, New Hires & More

Ofc. Gladys Grier poses with AssistantChief Travis Brittain, Chief RobertHelton and Assistant Chief James Smithat her retirement ceremony.

Gladys Grier’s Retirement

Mrs. Dunaway

Connect with Gastonia Policeon Facebook and Twitter

Shop with a Cop story, page 3