Kendra Fallen
Professor SchaloEnglish Composition 1
11 September 2018
Elkins Police Department
Police Officers are one of the several reasons that we can live in peace. With the things that they do, they are the reason I decided to conduct my Preliminary Report on the Elkins Police Department. The heroic actions taken by the police department to ensure the safety of the community can be life or death. My goal is to educate the community and for people to gain insight on the risks they take on a daily basis in order to serve their community.

I have gone about gathering information a few different ways. The first one would be an interview over the phone with Doug Stewart, an officer at the Elkins Police Department. My next method was the internet. On the Department’s website, they have catalogued functions, a list of officers, and more. Another useful source was the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy. Their website provides a clear description on the goals, objectives, and training required to become a member of law enforcement.

Officer Stewart has been employed at Elkins since May 2009. At Elkins, there are seven full time officers and five part time. Before you are eligible to become a cop, it is required to complete the proper training. At the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, also known as ALETA, members go through the normal, typical basic training. On top of that, they learn about anything from traffic stops, criminal investigations, homicide, and much more. The academy’s goal is to “provide technical and specialized training courses to meet the needs of the everchanging problems that confront law enforcement officers in their daily activities,” (ALETA).

When approaching a vehicle after pulling them over, there are certain things you have to do a particular way. For the first approach, you have to be very cautious. You don’t know what they have in the vehicle or what their intentions are. Officer Stewart responded with “It is crucial that your awareness is much higher.” For the second approach, the cop already knows who they are, what type of attitude they have, but you don’t know what they have in the vehicle.
A domestic dispute is one of, if not the most dangerous call you can receive. After asking him, “how do you respond to a domestic dispute?” He replied with “very carefully. You have to be aware at all times. You’re entering a house that may have hidden firearms, you don’t know where they’re at, or if/when they plan to use it. This is one of the calls most officers are wounded on.” It takes bravery to go into a situation not knowing you will make it out, all to protect the lives of citizens.
Every year, the police department will hold a couple functions. The first one is the Fall Festival. For the car show, there is a $200 cash prize for the best of show from both antique and modern class categories, (Fall Festival Car Show). Not only is there a car show, but there is a craft show, silent auction, and a chili cook off. All proceeds gathered from the Fall Festival go toward another function that is the most commonly known, Shop with a Cop. Shop with a Cop is an event that allows children within the community that are less wealthy, to get a chance to purchase items they need with someone they idolize. This is yet another way police serve the community.
In conclusion, with the matters that police officers are willing to sacrifice, it is the reason I decided to complete my report over them. The heroic actions taken by the police department to ensure the safety of the community at times can be life or death. This is one of the reasons we get to live in peace. I believe it is extremely important for people to gain insight on the risks they take on a daily basis to be able to serve their community. From approaching a stopped vehicle to responding to domestic disputes, the lives of law enforcement are at risk in order to ensure the safety of civilians. On top of their daily duties, they always take part in functions such as the Fall Festival and Shop with a Cop to serve their community.

Works Cited
Interview with Officer Doug Stewart
“About Us.” CLEST, 2018, www.clest.org/about-us.

Davis, Chris. “Fall Festival Car Show.” Welcome to Elkins.Arkansas.Gov | Official Website of the City of Elkins, elkins.arkansas.gov/news/fall-festival-car-show.