The Corpus Christi Police Departments 71st Academy Session began Monday with 25 Cadets. Although all have been measured for uniforms, not all the uniforms arrived from the vendor which left a few cadets to wear civilian clothes until the uniforms arrive.

Each applicant to the Corpus Christi Police Department completes an entrance process that includes a background check, a polygraph examination, an oral board interview, a psychological evaluation, a complete physical examination by a physician, and then a drug screen. Not all qualified applicants are accepted into the Police Academy. Most are not selected because of the limited quantity of positions approved for hire. Each Academy session has a unique quantity of cadets approved by the city of Corpus Christi based on the unique circumstances each hiring session. The 71st Police Academy Session has 25 cadets; 13 men and 12 women.

The most qualified applicants selected to be cadets begin their career in the Corpus Christi Police Academy. The Corpus Christi Police Department Training Academy is located at 4510 Corona Dr. Cadets attend classes Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. However, some nighttime and weekend functions are a part of the required curriculum. Cadets do not reside at the academy and must commute to class daily.

The Police Academy is composed of several components primarily with classroom instruction. Cadets are instructed on the policies and procedures of the Corpus Christi Police Department and how officers function on duty. Classroom instruction on, criminal, juvenile, traffic, and civil law is provided during the 29-week academy. Cadets are expected to maintain a high level of academic standards and must make a 75% or above on all academy tests. Cadets must pass each written exam and/or skills test administered to successfully complete the academy. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education (T.C.L.E.O.S.E.) Basic Peace Officer’s licensing exam must be passed in order to qualify for graduation and state licensing as a Texas Peace Officer.

A second component of the training includes firearm instruction. Cadets are trained with the standard issued police weapon at the Corpus Christi Police Department firing range and must pass department qualifications to successfully complete the academy. Cadets are also trained to use a shotgun and other law enforcement tools.

Another component of the academy is physical training. Cadets are required to maintain themselves in excellent physical condition through a strict course of running, weight lifting, and exercises designed to enhance the body’s flexibility and endurance. Cadets must pass the academy physical fitness test with an overall average of 70% to successfully complete the academy.

The cadets graduate on August 9 after successful completion of the 29 week Academy program that has equipped them with extensive education, training, and skills required to serve as Corpus Christi Police Officers.

Corpus Christi Police Officer Matthew Thebeau was killed in the line of duty January 20, 2008 at age 25. Officer Thebeau was killed in a vehicle crash on State Highway 286 near Baldwin Blvd while responding to an assault in progress call at 2:50 in the morning.

Officer Thebeau’s patrol car struck a concrete wall and straddled the barrier for approximately 50 yards until it impacted an I-beam supporting a highway sign. He was ejected from the patrol car and then struck by another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. He was transported to Spohn Memorial Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Officer Thebeau served with the Corpus Christi Police Department for two years and graduated from the 65^th Academy Session. A park was dedicated and named in memorial to Officer Matt Thebeau and is located at 3221 Richmond Street, Corpus Christi, Texas 78410 near Up River Road and McKenzie Road.

Follow the status of the Corpus Christi Police Department’s 71^st Police Academy Session through social media and observe the cadets transition into sworn police officers over the course of their training. The Corpus Christi Police Department’s 71^st Academy Session begins January 21, 2013 and the Police Department will allow the public a glimpse into their training and experiences through our social media sites at Twitter and Facebook.

The public will be able to watch videos, pictures, and read about their training as the cadets learn the skills required to become fully sworn Corpus Christi Police Officers. The public is invited to participate to check the “Status Updates of the 71^st”on the City of Corpus Christi Police Department Facebook, and on Twitter @CorpusChristiPD with hashtag #CCPD71.

The purpose of this new initiative is to share with the public a unique and convenient way to view of the training and requirements for a person to become a Corpus Christi Police Officer. The public will be able to ask questions and learn about our process through the use of the social media.

Please join us Monday January 21, 2013 as we welcome the cadets into training and we begin to check the status of the 71^st.

The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers hosted a Judges appreciation luncheon Thursday at the Ortiz Center in a fundraising program with guest speakers from the Emergency Services in Corpus Christi.

The guest speakers for the fundraiser lunch were Corpus Christi Police Chief Floyd Simpson, Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin, and Corpus Christi Fire Chief Robert Rocha.

The purpose of the luncheon was to raise money for the Crime Stoppers program which is an independent non-profit organization. Funding for the program is solely from donations and not any from tax dollars. The donations are used to reward those who call into Crime Stoppers to provide information about unsolved crimes which leads to an arrest, and the donations cover operating expenses. Those who do call into Crime Stoppers are anonymous and their information is kept confidential and protected even for criminal trial.

The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers board members are volunteers and donate their time for the operation of the program and to host events like this luncheon. The Luncheon is the opportunity to thank judges for support to the Crime Stoppers program. Criminal law judges are able to apply fees to probation which  benefit the Crime Stoppers program to provide rewards to tipsters for providing information about unsolved crimes.

Anyone interested in the Crime Stoppers program may visit the website www.888TIPS.com for information.

Contributed by Charlie Cardenas, P.E., Traffic Engineering

The City of Corpus Christi Traffic Engineering office advises residents beginning Thursday, January 17, 2013, between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., weather permitting, American Electric Power (AEP) will be doing utility work on Staples Street between Peerman Place and Hamlin Drive.

While this work is underway, this section of Staples Street will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction.  Flaggers will be on site to guide motorist through the intersection.

Traffic control devices will guide motorists through the construction site.  While the work is underway, motorists should expect delays and are advised to seek alternate routes to avoid the area if possible.  Motorists are also advised to observe all construction warning signs and barricades for their safety and that of construction crews.   Access to local driveways will be maintained throughout the duration of the project.

For more information, please contact Traffic Engineering at 826-3547.

Occurred on 1/13/13, 10:06am  Missing Person  2606 Hospital Blvd.  1301130047

The Corpus Christi Police Department is asking the public’s assistance in locating a man reported missing on January 13, 2013.  The man’s brother told Police he visited with his brother Eric Phillip Barnes, 44, on January 4, 2013 at a local hospital.

Barnes was released later that day and the family has been searching for him since.  His brother told Officers that Eric suffers from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and mental issues.  Eric is in need of his oxygen and medications.

If you have seen Eric or know his whereabouts, we ask that you call Homicide/Robbery Detective R.L. Garcia at 361-886-2850 or the Corpus Christi Police Department at 361-886-2600.

***UPDATE*** Mr. Barnes has been located and is doing well. We would like to thank everyone in the community for their assistance.