The Green Hornet

 MCSO eNewsletter

 
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Spring 2014
 
  
In this issue
Sheriff's Message
Chaplains Receive Award
Spring Awards Ceremony
CD Drew Brosh Retires, MCSO Promotions
Fallen Deputy Remembrance
Wood Village Youth Citizen's Academy
LETR Polar Plunge and Dodgeball
MCSO Take Your Child to Work Day
MCSO Sustainability
Green Hornets / SAR
Jail Kiosks

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Multnomah County Sheriff's Office remembers former Multnomah County Sheriff Edgar Martin

Sheriff Martin

A memorial service for former MCSO Sheriff Edgar Martin was held on Thursday April 24, 2014 in Redmond, OR. Sheriff Edgar Martin passed away on April 3, 2014. Edgar Martin began his law enforcement career as a patrol officer for Monmouth Police Department from 1964 to 1965, moving on to become a Multnomah County Sheriff's Deputy from 1966 to 1976. Edgar Martin was later appointed the 32nd Multnomah County Sheriff as well as Director of Public Safety in June, 1976. He remained in those positions until June, 1982, when he resigned.  He later went on to become Chief of Police for the Kodiak, Alaska Police Department.

 

During Edgar Martin's term as Sheriff he continued to build and develop Neighborhood Team Policing, introduced just prior to his term, improving the

quality of police service delivery and deputies' job satisfaction as well as reducing crime. Sheriff Martin reorganized Sheriff's operations and administrative staff to better meet and administer new Neighborhood Team Policing requirements. Sheriff Martin bolstered Inspections Sections staffing and introduced a Crime Analysis Unit to supply improved criminal activity information. Warrant staff was increased to serve warrants more effectively and a Special Enforcement Detail was created to conduct anti-fencing missions. The Enforcement Division moved into the Hansen Building, bringing the entire Law Enforcement Division into a single facility where the Division still resides today.
 

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office cancelled all events Thursday April 24, 2014 to pause in remembrance of former Sheriff Edgar Martin's service and dedication to the communities he served. 

 

 

 

 

 

MCSO Volunteer Chaplains receive 

Multnomah County Volunteer Awards

 

Several MCSO Volunteer Chaplains received awards at the 27th Annual Multnomah County Citizen's Involvement Committee Volunteer Awards Ceremony on April 16, 2014. MCSO Volunteer Chaplains Tom Skipper, Chaplain Francisco Corona, Chaplain Chipo Sowards and Chaplain Bradley Webb were all honored for their contributions and service in the Multnomah County Jails to offender populations.

 

Chaplain Tom Skipper has been a hard-working and dedicated Chaplain in Multnomah County Sheriff's Office jails since April of 2001. He began serving by going dorm to dorm spreading a message of hope and transitioned to a classroom setting where he has been providing services to large groups of Hispanic male inmates.  Chaplain Skipper has excellent Spanish speaking skills that he learned from spending over 20 years in different parts of the world, including South America and Spain. With his fluency in Spanish, Tom is able to make a connection with the inmates in their primary language and is always sensitive to issues of cultural and social diversity. He inspires these young men to change their thinking and behaviors with his practical down to earth examples. He saw the potential in another Chaplain, Francisco Corona, and has since recruited him to co-facilitate the classes.    

Chaplain Skipper

Chaplain Francisco Corona started as a Chaplain volunteer in Multnomah County Sheriff's Office jails in 2004. Francisco consistently volunteers 4-5 times per month and approaches every new group with the same straight-forward, calm, and genuine concern. As a younger Chaplain, the younger inmates can really relate to Francisco and his way of communicating. His passion and enthusiasm is contagious and encourages inmates to think towards positive change.

 

Chaplain Chipo Sowards began as a volunteer Chaplain in Multnomah County Sheriff's Office jails in March of 2005. Chipo's positive outlook and upbeat attitude are an inspiration to everyone who comes into contact with her. The female inmates feel better just being around her and in her presence. She has a way of making those she serves feel genuinely and deeply cared for. Chipo is consistent and trustworthy with answering requests, holding Bible Study, providing coverage, and helping out wherever there is a need. Volunteering one day every week leaves an impact on these women that lasts a lifetime. 

 

Since May 2007, Chaplain Bradley Webb has been a devoted Chaplain volunteer in Multnomah County Sheriff's Office jails. Bradley is patient, compassionate and brings a spirit of calm into the jail living areas. Staff can depend on him to show up every week, willing to handle any task and serve wherever he is needed. He is even trusted to work with the most challenging populations in areas of the jail where most other volunteers do not work. He handles requests, provides coverage for other Chaplains and goes above and beyond, always asking if there is anything more he can do before leaving for the day.

 

All of MCSO's Chaplains strive to meet the spiritual needs of the inmates within MCSO jails. Their commitment continues to make a difference in the lives they touch and help create an atmosphere of change for the inmates they counsel. 


  

MCSO 2014 Spring Awards

  

Sheriff Staton speaking at the Spring 2014 Awards Ceremony
 

On April 9, 2013 the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office held its Spring Semi-Annual Awards Ceremony to honor those who have served our community with outstanding effort and selflessness. Thirty-eight awards were presented at the Spring Awards Ceremony including a Purple Heart Award, Distinguished Service Award, four Life-saving and twenty-one Lifesaving-Suicide Prevention awards.  

  

For injuries sustained in the line of duty, Deputy Shahram Afzal was awarded the Purple Heart Award after an inmate in the acute psychiatric unit suddenly attacked Deputy Afzal as he was being let out of his cell to utilize the dayroom area. Inmates are allowed access to the dayroom area to shower, use the phone, and perform other permissible activities. As deputy Afzal unlocked the door the inmate rushed out the door, attacked, and pushed deputy Afzal with extreme force. Deputy Afzal hit a door behind him and fell forward to his knees. The injuries Deputy Afzal sustained made it difficult for him to breathe and impossible for him to stand or to protect himself. As Deputy Afzal looked up, the inmate was standing in front of him.

 

Sergeant Shaut who was also in the module for the inmate's walk time, immediately ordered the inmate to "cell in". The inmate grabbed the keys from the door and threw them at Sgt. Shaut striking the sergeant's hand as he tried to protect himself from the thrown keyset. Sgt. Shaut drew his TASER and called "officer down" and for backup while pointing his TASER at the inmate. While he was gaining control over the combative inmate, additional deputies arrived to assist and the inmate was returned to his cell.

 

Due to the blunt force of his back to the door and the injuries that he suffered, Deputy Afzal was hospitalized and unable to return to work immediately after his release.

 

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Sergeant Brent Jordan for over thirty years of service with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. Sergeant Robert Jordan has been an employee of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office since November 10, 1983. He was promoted to a Corrections Sergeant on November 2, 1987 and has been assigned to multiple facilities. He has received several letters of appreciation for his commendable performance throughout his career. Most notably, he was involved in the Multnomah County Inverness Jail Expansion Project and Transition Team, and he received the Chief Deputy Award for his contribution to the Inverness Jail HUB project. Throughout his thirty-year tenure, he has demonstrated exemplary service and dedication to the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and the citizens it serves.

 

Sergeant Jordan continues to have a long-term vision of the agency, and he is determined to create beneficial change wherever he is assigned. He is committed to seeing projects through to completion regardless of the obstacles that may arise or the length of time for implementation. 

Sergeant Jordan is an outstanding leader who has gained admiration and respect from his staff, peers, and supervisors. He is a valued mentor throughout all ranks of the Sheriff's Office and continually inspires and motivates others to do their best work daily. He leads by example and he is first to return credit to his staff which encourages ownership, investment, and meaning to their everyday work. 

 

Throughout his thirty years of service, Sergeant Jordan has consistently proven to be an extraordinary leader by displaying an exemplary work ethic, demonstrating initiative, encouraging and mentoring others, providing direction and support, and promoting teamwork. He has made an exceptional and lasting contribution to the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.  

 

In addition to four life-saving awards presented, twenty-one Suicide Prevention - Lifesaving Awards were presented to corrections deputies involved in responding to several suicide attempts at the jail. Suicide is a leading cause of death in our nation's jails. Suicide prevention has long been a priority in the Sheriff's Office jails and Corrections staff are one of the pillars to any Suicide prevention program that maintains high standards. It is imperative that our deputies retain the ability to remain alert and attentive to the never-ending challenges while persons are incarcerated.

 

  

Though caring and protecting the inmates, to include suicide prevention, is considered one facet of the deputies' occupation, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office deputies do an outstanding job at being proactive to identify and curtail this increasingly difficult behavior in a professional and compassionate manner. The work and dedication of these MCSO members saves lives, and provides the inmate the opportunity to receive the remedial care necessary to overcome the motive for this type of behavior.

 

 

 

Other awards presented at the Spring Awards Ceremony included Letter of Commendations, a Community Service Award, a Citation and Unit Citation along with two Sheriff's Awards.  

 

CD Brosh retires, MCSO Command Promotions

 

Chief Deputy Drew Brosh retired on April 1, 2014 after 25 years of service to the Sheriff's Office. As a result of his retirement Sheriff Staton promoted two Command members to new assignments within the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. Captain Linda Yankee was promoted to Chief Deputy and assigned as Chief Deputy of the Business Services Division. Lieutenant Derrick Peterson was promoted to Captain and assigned as the Facility Commander of the Multnomah County Detention Center.  

 


Linda Yankee has spent the majority of her 27 year career with the Sheriff's Office in Corrections Operations. She has managed the Multnomah County Detention Center, the Multnomah County Inverness Jail, and the Facility Services Section of the Sheriff's Office. In 2005, she was recognized by the Oregon State Sheriff's Association as the Jail Commander of the Year. She has served on various committees for Multnomah County to include the Domestic Violence Emergency Response Team, Gang Suppression, Intervention, Prevention Task Force, the Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Multnomah County Re-Entry Council.

 

Derrick Peterson, a 27 year veteran of the Multnomah County Sheriff's office was promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned as Facility Commander of one of the largest jail facilities in the state of Oregon network. Peterson has previously been assigned as a shift commander in the jail, in addition to being assigned lateral duties for a period as the CERT (Corrections Emergency Response Team) and CNT (Corrections Negotiation Team) Commander. Peterson moves from his current assignment as the Administrative Lieutenant where he was tasked with overseeing the food services contract, served as County Attorney liaison and managed special projects. Peterson also served as chair of the Probationary Officer's Review Board, assisted with PIO duties and represented MCSO on the Multnomah County Equity and Wellness Team.

Peterson is a long time, active member of NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives) and has had the support of the organization in his past and new position. "Captain Peterson is an exceptional appointee for this position" said Roy Jay, NW Chapter President of NOBLE. He's a team player, has the years of experience and is highly respected both inside and outside the department.

Sheriff Staton plans future advancements and administrative changes as he continues efforts to make the Sheriff's Office more responsive to both the public needs and those of the hundreds of employees who strive to provide exemplary service to the citizen's of Multnomah County. 
MCSO Holds Remembrance for those Fallen in the Line of Duty



On Monday May 12, 2014 members of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, family and friends gathered at the MCSO Memorial located in front of the Hansen building to honor and remember MCSO personnel who have sacrificed their lives while serving the citizens of Multnomah County. Honor guard personnel from surrounding agencies assisted in the memorial and officers and deputies from several agencies attended the ceremony honoring our fallen. A reception followed the ceremony in the Hansen auditorium.

 

Members of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office also assembled earlier in the morning along with Sheriff Staton at the Loll Memorial to honor Ernest C. Loll who was shot and killed by poachers at this location in 1935. The memorial is located at the corner of SW 35th Ave. and Arnold St. in Portland, OR. 



Wood Village Youth Citizen's Academy

 

 

 

On April 2, 2014 the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office kicked off its first Youth Police Academy in partnership with Wood Village community leaders. The program was introduced to allow teens age 14-17 years an inside look at the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office functions as well as services the Sheriff's Office provides to the community. The academy also provided a conduit for improved youth/law enforcement relationships, enhanced cooperation, and reduced stereotyping.

  

Over twenty teens signed up and participated in the academy which was held for four hours each Saturday morning in April in addition to the orientation and graduation ceremony. Topics covered during the youth academy included: Human Trafficking, Online Safety, K9 Tracking and Drug demos, a River Patrol ride-a-long and Dive Team demonstration, gang enforcement, Human Trafficking, Impaired Driving/youth laws, TASER and Range 3000, along with the Drugs to Mugs drug education program. 

  

 

The academy was well received and plans are already in works to make this an annual academy similar to the successful Wood Village Citizen's Academy already in place. Watch for information regarding enrollment for the next Youth Police Academy for teens age 14-17 during the next school year.  

 

 

LETR Polar Plunge splashes its way to success, LETR Dodgeball scores a hit!

 

2014 MCSO Plungers!

 

The LETR Polar Plunge splashed its way to a successful conclusion on Saturday March 1, 2014 after being rescheduled because of a severe storm that hit the Northwest region on the originally scheduled 

Retiree Major Jim Turney

weekend of February 8. While MCSO's team was a bit smaller than year's past, they still raised over $6,300 dollars for Special Olympics Oregon. In addition, this was the first year an MCSO deputy participated as part of the Super Plungers for Special Olympics Oregon. Deputy Rich Hathaway signed up and raised over $3,500 dollars as he plunged once an hour for the 24 hours leading up to the Polar Plunge. Deputy Hathaway stated after the event "It was a great experience, and I'd do it again, it's all about raising money for Special Olympics". 

Super Plunger Deputy Rich Hathaway

LETR dodgeball took place on April 19, 2014 and over 25 MCSO staff, family and friends participated on three different dodgeball teams this year. Alas, no MCSO team finished in the top spots this year, but everyone had a great time and strategizing has already begun for next year's tournament!

 

MCSO participates in several LETR events throughout the year including the LETR Torch Run, Dodgeball, Polar Plunge and Tip-A-Cop. MCSO Deputies also volunteer their time during various Special Olympics Oregon competitions and meets leading up to and including the Summer State Games for Special Olympics which occurs July 12-13, 2014 in Newberg, OR. Deputies present medals to competition winners and interact with the athletes during the events.

 

This past year MCSO raised $74,923.26 from January 2013-December 2013 supporting Special Olympics Oregon. This amount was the most raised by any law enforcement agency in the state of Oregon this past year! The establishment of an LETR Committee this year to promote and encourage MCSO volunteer participation in fundraising efforts for Special Olympics Oregon was supported by Multnomah County Sheriff Dan Staton. The LETR Committee is now in place and works to promote and recruit MCSO staff for volunteer opportunities and participation in LETR fundraisers for Special Olympics Oregon. 

 

 

Take your child to work day, MCSO style!

 

On April 25, MCSO hosted Take Your Kids to Work day for MCSO staff members. Participating staff brought their child to work with them to see what they do on a daily basis serving the citizens of Multnomah County. The experience strengthens the connection between education and work and allows children participating to start thinking about career possibilities for themselves. 

 

Activities were planned throughout the day so kids could get a view of some of the different functions performed by Sheriff's Office staff. Staff were encouraged to stop by the Human Resources Unit during the morning with their young ones and have their child's pictures taken for a souvenir Sheriff's Office ID card they were able to keep. The kids and parents joined Sheriff Staton for lunch with the Sheriff in the Hansen Building auditorium and all of the kids were sworn in as junior deputies by Sheriff Staton. A static display of MCSO vehicles was set up in the parking lot for kids to check out various specialty vehicles and boats MCSO utilizes and a K9 demonstration was provided by Deputy Todd Weber and his K9 partner Varro. Over 80 staff and children took part in some of the activities throughout the day.

K9 Unit Demonstration

Sustainability at MCSO

  

The MCSO Sustainability Team kicked off 2014 with a solid start, earning a City of Portland Sustainability at Work Certification at the Gold Level for the Multnomah County Inverness Jail. The MCSO Sustainability also was recognized with the Multnomah County Sustainability Award for the Inmate Garden project which was introduced this past year at the Inverness Jail.

 

The MCSO Sustainability Team just began its second growing season for the inmate garden, planting the first crops of the season. Plans are already underway to expand the garden this season to raise even more food in the garden to be distributed through the Oregon Food Bank and SnoCap. Last season over 850 pounds of produce was donated from the inmate garden at MCIJ.

 

Additional ideas being considered for the facility include a downstream sorting station to increase waste diversion rates at the facility. An attached rainwater catchment system to support garden watering. MCSO Program staff are working to introduce a job lab designed to assist in custody offenders prepare and learn basic job application skills and resume building. 

 

Efforts continue to work on reduction of water and energy use at the jail facilities as well. A technical audit was completed recently by an Energy Savings Company (ESCO) and the Inverness Jail was one of the five county buildings evaluated by the ESCO. Those findings are now being evaluated for potential energy and water savings opportunities at the Inverness Jail.

 

 

A regional summit is planned for late June to get together with other area Sheriff's Office, prison and non-profit educational partners to explore and discuss sustainability efforts and ideas being worked on across the region. 

 

 "Green Hornets" have first successful rescue of the season

 

The new Sheriff's Office Green Hornet Wilderness Law Enforcement Services and Trail Rescue Team "Green Hornets" hit the ground running on April 28, 2014 responding to a lost father and son somewhere on a trail near Lewis and Clark State Park. The Green Hornets used GPS location information obtained from the father's cell phone to determine the nearest entrance point and hit the trails running. Team members worked their way into the area the GPS data indicated and quickly located the pair when they arrived in the area. Both father and son were happy to see the Green Hornets arrive and escort them back off the trails. The father said they were hiking on the trails and ended up in an area he was not familiar with.  He got turned around and didn't know where to go to get off the trails and back down to the trailhead. After trying to work their way out for over two hours, he realized they needed help. They didn't have any supplies with them for an extended outing and no extra water or food. Both were tired, hungry and thirsty when they were located but otherwise were in good shape.

 

 

The rapid deployment of the Green Hornets to the trails helped locate the pair before dark had fallen and slowed down search and rescue efforts. The ability of the team to "hit the ground running" shortened the response time and brought this search to a happy conclusion quickly and safely.  

 

The Green Hornets consist of an elite group of sworn law enforcement personnel who are physically fit endurance athletes experienced with hiking, and trail running. The goal of the team is to reduce response times and perform a hasty search in and around target areas.

 

The Green Hornets also provide an additional active patrol resource at major trailhead parking areas. Team members provide hikers written hiking safety educational materials, talk to citizens about trail safety and provide an additional law enforcement presence to deter property crime and provide enforcement services at difficult to reach wilderness areas.

  

 

 

 

 

MCSO Launches Kiosks

 

 

The Sheriff's Office continues to roll out services as it installs jail kiosks into the housing units at MCSO jail facilities. The Sheriff's Office contracted with Securus Technologies and through their partnership with TouchPay Holdings, LLC this past year to provide video/visiting and cash kiosk services to MCSO jail facilities. 

 

MCIJ Lobby

 

 

Lobby kiosks were installed at both MCDC and MCIJ over the past several months enabling visitors to deposit monies to inmate accounts through the kiosk or the TouchPay website for commissary and phone accounts. These cash handling kiosks went live in March, 2014 and now handle the deposits in the lobbies, eliminating the need for FSO's and other support staff to handle and track cash and other deposits to inmate accounts, increasing the operational efficiency of both facilities. Full implementation of the kiosk system will also introduce greater security and auditing functionality as recommended by the County Auditor's office as part of an Inmate Welfare Fund audit from 2011.

 

Video/Visiting kiosks once live will allow visiting to have expanded hours and days as family and friends will schedule their visit through the kiosks either in the lobby of the facility for free or to remote visit from home for a fee. Scheduling visiting through the kiosks will eliminate the crush of visitors that routinely occurs currently during weekend visiting time and allow visits to be spread out throughout the week with the expansion of visiting hours and days.

 

The MCSO is committed to providing exemplary service and quality, cost effective prevention, intervention and detention services to the communities of Multnomah County.  Partnerships such as these increase operational efficiencies and mitigate the increasing costs of managing these services. Work is continuing on installation and introduction of kiosks for video visiting and increased digital delivery of services to the offender population. After initial shared kiosk installation costs, maintenance, and cash pick-up services are provided to MCSO at no cost. 

 

 


More Stories on the News Link on www.mcso.us!

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