Chattanooga Police To Add 14 Officers After Violent Weekend; New System To Allow Local Testing Of Shell Casings

  • Monday, January 23, 2017

In the wake of a weekend in which five people were shot with two dying, the Chattanooga Police Department is adding 14 more officers, Mayor Andy Berke and Chief Fred Fletcher said Monday.

The department is also utilizing a new system that will allow local testing of shell casings and avoid a long wait time after sending them off to Nashville.

Chief Fletcher also said there will also be a gang unit, a five-person gun violence team and a rapid response team focusing specifically on gangs.

The addition of the 14 officers would bring the force to 500.

It is contingent upon approval of the City Council.

Officials said use of the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) will allow matching of shell casings to guns and to other shell casings.

The Violence Reduction Initiative will be continued, though shootings are up since it was launched in March 2014.

Officials said they will be seeking more aggressive prosecution of those using illegal guns.

Chief Fletcher said, "Over the past four years, 51 percent of homicides in Chattanooga and 56 percent of non-fatal shootings involved gang members as the victim or the suspect. Through extensive study and intelligence we believe that under one percent of the city’s population is actually involved in gang activity.


“That one percent threatens the well-being of our citizens. That one percent endangers lives. That one percent terrorizes neighborhoods. That one percent undermines your police officers’ sacrifices to uphold their mission to keep you, your family and our community safe.”


The Chattanooga Police Department, along with Mayor Berke, and law enforcement partners such as the FBI, ATF, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office, and others "are working together on a multi-layered approach to fight violent crime," it was stated.


NIBIN is described as "a newly-available ballistic technology managed by the ATF. This technology is another investigative tool in CPD’s tool belt - not in place of another tool or program - that allows the department to share information that has proven effective in addressing gun and gang violence. Much of the credit for bringing this program online in Chattanooga goes to a CPD undercover officer who originally brought the program to Chief Fletcher’s attention.

 

"In addition, much credit is also due to Sgt. Josh May, focused deterrence coordinator, who developed the other layers of this strategy. Sgt. May suggested the formation of a Gun Team, Gang Unit and Rapid Response Team."


The Gun Team will consists of four officers and one sergeant. Officials said their team will be vital in getting the most value from the information provided by NIBIN in helping increase the safety of the community. The Gun Team will also work in conjunction with the Gang Unit and Rapid Response Team.


The Chattanooga Gang Unit (CGU) will be responsible for investigating crimes committed by gang members. The CGU will also follow up on NIBIN “leads” that are the result of gang member weapon possession and locations where there have been shots fired due to gang activity.


The Rapid Response Teams require the addition of nine officers. These officers will be split across the three city sectors and combined with other existing officers in those sectors. Each sector will have seven officers completely dedicated to quick response during peak crime hours. The unit, like the others, will work in conjunction with CPD’s recently created Intelligence Unit, nascent Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC), Patrol Commanders, Crime Analysis Unit, partner agencies, and other forms of intelligence-led policing and focused deterrence strategies to respond to various situations quickly, dynamically, and flexibly.


Mayor Berke said, “I am often presented with public safety strategies and ideas by officers of the Chattanooga Police Department. These are the folks who have the knowledge, expertise, and passion for keeping people safe. It’s my job to listen to and support their work and make sure the City of Chattanooga is meeting their needs and the needs of the department.

 

"It is clear that guns, when in the hands of those who do not need and should not have them, are an issue in Chattanooga. Having dedicated people and technology to connect guns to people using them for illegal violence in the city is an absolute necessity."


Funds for the additional officers are requested in the upcoming city of Chattanooga fiscal year 2017 - 2018 Police Department budget

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