As with everybody else, money is on law enforcement officers’ minds

By Nate Delesline III

Published: May 2, 2008

Running 10 regrettable minutes late for my second session at the Culpeper Citizen’s Criminal Justice Academy, I slipped into the back of the room at the Depot, spied the table loaded with salty and sugary snacks and sank into my seat, hoping I hadn’t missed anything too critical. Smiles and nods of acknowledgement met me.

It seems money — or the lack of it — is on everyone’s minds these days, and local law enforcement is no exception. And Tuesday, the class heard firsthand how tough money times are leaving cops financially handcuffed.

Culpeper Police Department Chief Scott Barlow said he’s saved the town $100,000 by planning not to buy any new police cars next year. He said if money is short, it’s better spent on more frequent training instead of new cars.

“People are our most important resource,” he told the group.

I would agree, but I think knowing that you won’t have to beg or borrow to get enough of the right tools to help you do your job would come as a relief to anyone. I couldn’t imagine having to do my job without modern equipment and amenities.

While Barlow discussed specifics, Karen Roberts, a 17-year sheriff’s deputy with more than 20 years experience in CPR training and first aid arrived. She brought along a pale, plastic friend — a CPR training dummy named Anne — and an automatic external defibrillator.

Roberts explained how AEDs are adding another level of assurance and capability to patrol officers. If officers arrive on the scene of an apparent heart health emergency, they can deploy one of the $1,500 devices, potentially saving people’s lives.

And, said Deputy Maria Rodriguez, our mini first aid training session may come in handy in case we have to assist an officer during our upcoming ridealongs.

Hungry from a small, early lunch, I pushed down a pile of pizza and cake, and journeyed over to the 911 center on Richmond Road for a field trip.

Inside, I was shocked to see just four people. Dressed casually but neatly, just two or three computer screens surrounded each of the young ladies in the tidy office. I was anticipating something more along the lines of a space station mission control center, with rows and rows of people staring at screens, pausing occasionally to type furiously with furrowed brows, discarded coffee cups and junk food wrappers by their side.

In reality, the only things possibly close to outer space in Culpeper are the 800 MHz radio signals that link the area’s emergency personnel to each other and the rest of the region. I imagine it’s a good feeling to know someone is always listening.

It makes me feel good too, so I invite you to listen to me next week, when I’ll share what I’ve learned about patrolling and handcuffing.

Nate Delesline III can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or .