Calls for Service:
Calls for Service are the documented actions undertaken by RPD personnel. They range from
self-initiated activities to handling complaints that were made to the department. Calls for
Service include community policing efforts, criminal investigations, arrests, training, court,
meetings, and all activities of the RPD staff.
In 2017, the RPD logged 7,798 Calls for Service. This number was 7,688 in 2016 and 5,642 in
2015. A breakdown of these numbers by agency personnel follows:
Chief Manos: 290
Sgt. Geesey: 2,449
Cpl. Ewing: 2,367
PFC Harper: 1,400
PFC Christopher: 1,229
PFC Martinez: 62 (part-time sworn employee)
These numbers do not add up exactly to 7,798 because events handled by multiple personnel are
often captured in the agency database differently.
Property Checks:
One of the most vital services that the RPD provides is high-visibility patrol. As agency
members travel throughout the community, they are continually watching for signs of criminal
and/or suspicious activity. Agency members make property checks of town resources, public use
areas, commercial establishments, and (when requested) private residences throughout their
respective shifts.
In 2017, RPD members logged 3,571 property checks. In 2016 there were 2,992 property
checks. In 2015 there were 2,021 conducted.
Community Policing:
As the back-bone of the RPD service philosophy, “Community Policing” involves the members
of the agency taking an active role in both the establishment and nurturing of positive
relationships with the members of the town. These transparent relationships with the service
population allow the RPD to tailor its activities to promote not only a safer, but a better quality
of life in Ridgely.
Members of the RPD understand that all contacts with citizens are a form of Community
Policing in one way or another. Agency members often initiated contact with a citizen
specifically to strengthen our ties with the community.
In 2017 there were 2,000 Community Policing-specific citizen contacts made. There were 2,235
in 2016, and in 2015 there were 1,170.
K-9 Use and Deployments:
The RPD utilizes service K-9s certified by the International Police Work Dog Association. K-9
handlers undergo rigorous in-service training in order to keep their animals in peek condition.
The K-9 teams are used by both fellow RPD agency members and allied agencies. Agency K-9
teams are subject to 24-hour call-out and were involved in several arrests in 2016.
In 2017, the RPD had 50 K-9 deployments (Sgt. Geesey = 31/Cpl. Ewing = 19). This number
was 33 in 2016 and 21 in 2015. There were 0 Use of Force incidents and/or bites in 2017
because of the way that the RPD utilizes their K-9 teams.
Assists to Other Agencies:
The members of the RPD make themselves available to provide law enforcement and related
services to both other police agencies and emergency service providers inside & outside of the
Ridgely town limits. The RPD works very closely with other municipal police departments
within Caroline County, providing both manpower and other resources on a continuous basis.
On numerous occasions in 2017, RPD members were asked to handle service calls for both the
Caroline County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police when their respective personnel
were too busy to handle high call volumes.
In 2017, the RPD logged 163 Assist calls. This number was 178 in 2016 and 158 in 2015.
Domestic Complaints:
Perhaps one of the most dangerous calls a law enforcement officer can handle is a reported
domestic complaint. These call types range from violent assaults to simple verbal arguments.
The unpredictable nature of these calls, and the often highly-emotional states displayed by the
involved persons are often-cited as the reason that domestic complaints are historically known to
be the most dangerous calls that an officer can respond to. RPD personnel often times respond to
these call types with no back-up available or back up with an extended response time.
There was one reported use of force incident by an RPD Officer in 2017. This justified use of
force occurred while the agency member was investigating a suspected domestic-related
disturbance call.
RPD personnel are also often called upon to perform a “domestic stand by” for a citizen. This
service request requires the officer to provide a physical presence while people involved in
domestic disputes retrieve property from a location. RPD personnel are also asked to oversee
child-custody exchanges from time to time.
In 2017, the RPD logged a total of 28 domestic-related complaints. In comparison, there were
40 in 2016 and 19 in 2015.
Warrant & Criminal Summons Services:
The RPD, as a full service law enforcement agency, is tasked with serving both criminal arrest
warrants and criminal summons’. These court-issued documents arise from criminal
investigations undertaken by both the RPD and outside agencies. Often times a summons will be
issued because of a complaint made to the court by a local business owner (most often relating to
theft, bad checks or shoplifting). The following numbers are comprised of both attempts and the
actual service of these documents.
In 2017, the RPD recorded 12 Warrant/Summons Service events. There were 28 similar events
in 2016 and 40 in 2015.
Traffic Enforcement:
Traffic enforcement is perhaps the most visible activity undertaken by RPD personnel. The goal
of all enforcement efforts is to gain voluntary compliance with applicable traffic laws. This
leads to a safer environment for our service population and improves the quality of life to all
residents and visitors. In many cases, vigorous traffic enforcement efforts are the gateway to
detecting violations of criminal law as well.
The breakdown of 2017 traffic enforcement numbers by agency members are as follows:
Chief Manos Sgt. Geesey Cpl Ewing
Stops – 44 Stops – 260 Stops – 185
PFC Harper PFC Christopher PFC Martinez (part time sworn)
Stops – 136 Stops – 208 Stops – 0
Assaults:
Assaults are reported to the RPD when a person (or persons) either threatens to harm another
person or actually does cause harm. Assaults are normally defined based on the severity of (or
potential for) injury to the victim. Assaults involving serious injuries are classified in Maryland
as 1st Degree, while assaults which result in less-serious injuries are known as 2nd Degree. For
the purposes of this statistical report, both assault types are counted together. Once an officer
receives an assault report, a criminal investigation is initiated. Not all reported assaults are
classified as assaults by the time the investigation is concluded.
The number of initial reported assaults made to the RPD in 2017 was 4. One of these cases
involved a sexual assault that allegedly occurred 10 years earlier. There were 21 reported
assaults in 2016, and 24 in 2015.
Special Events:
The RPD participated in numerous large civic events in 2017.
On April 5th, the RPD was present as the Ridgely Historical Society broke ground for a
comprehensive renovation of the towns train station.
On May 13th, the RPD was present for the dedication ceremony for the new Ridgely Town flag.
On May 20th, the town held a celebration for its 150th anniversary. The RPD K-9 teams
performed demonstrations for citizens at this event.
On May 28th, the town held its annual Strawberry Festival. The two K-9 teams performed
demonstrations for citizens throughout the day at this event as well.
On August 1st, the RPD participated in National Night Out at the Martin Sutton Park.
On September 23rd, the town held the main celebration in honor of its 150th Anniversary. RPD
members were present as the area known as “Railroad Park” was transformed into a community
gathering place that featured vendors, food, music, and the dedication ceremony for the towns
new train station. The event culminated with a large commercial-grade fireworks show.
On October 15th, the RPD provided assistance to the annual Ridgely Car Show. This event drew
an estimated 8,000+ persons and over 800 vehicles to the town. This fund-raising event raised
over $46,000 (before expenses) for various charities. Because of the large volume of visitors and
motor vehicle traffic coming to the town, the RPD received assistance from the Greensboro
Police Department, the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, The New Carrolton Police Department,
The Federalsburg Police Department and the Maryland State Police.
On October 28th, the RPD participated in a DEA-sponsored event at Town Hall where citizens
could turn in old/unused prescription drugs. The RPD collected over 18lbs of old medicine.
On November 11th, the RPD participated in the Walk for the Well of it event. This run/walk
benefited a program that worked to provide potable water to third world countries.
On Dec 2nd, the RPD assisted with traffic control for the annual Lions Club Christmas parade.
Thefts:
Thefts of property are categorized as either felonies or misdemeanors based primarily on the
value of the stolen item(s). Once a member of the RPD receives a complaint of a theft, a
criminal investigation is initiated. Not all reported thefts are classified as thefts by the time the
investigation is concluded. For the purpose of this statistical report, both theft types are counted
together. This category includes thefts, car thefts, burglaries, thefts by fraud, and thefts by bad
check.
There were 42 initial reported theft complaints made to the RPD in 2017. There were 74
reported theft complaints made in 2016 and 34 in 2015.
Overdoses and Death Investigations:
The RPD is acutely aware of the opioid epidemic that is affecting the entire nation. Vigilant
proactive activities, education efforts and a close working relationship with the Caroline County
State’s Attorney’s Office work to limit the negative effects on our community. However, the
town is not immune to the perils associated with drugs (of all kinds).
In 2017 the RPD investigated 4 reported overdoses. Three of these cases involved the use of
Heroin. RPD members are certified in the use of Naloxone (AKA: Narcan), and no deaths were
reported as a result of these overdoses. Criminal charges were pursued against alleged suspects
where appropriate.
The RPD conducted 2 death investigations in 2017. Both of these cases were attributed to
natural causes with no criminal activity suspected.
Synopsis & Conclusion:
While reported crimes of all types were lower in 2017, the number of Calls for Service actually
increased over 2016. The members of the RPD showed an increase in self-initiated activities in
almost all categories.
This proactive style of policing,coupled with a continued commitment to the philosophies of
Community Policing equates to both a perceived and statistically-accurate safer community.
