Category Archives: Community Outreach

Community Outreach, Patrol Division

70th Corpus Christi Police Academy Session Graduates

The Corpus Christi Police Department will have 18 graduates from the 70th Police Academy session celebrated in a graduation ceremony on Friday, May 11, 2012 at 2:00pm in the Selena Auditorium.

The graduates from the academy accepted a tremendous responsibility of police work which began with an application process almost one year prior to this graduation. Applicants for the police academy must score a minimum of 70% or higher on a written examination. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license upon filing an application and a valid Texas license before hiring and must have a driving record that reflects driving habits that are consistent with the safe operation of a motor vehicle. Applicants must meet the City requirements regarding traffic violations or traffic collisions. Applicants must have a High School diploma or a GED with 12 hours at an accredited college with at least a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, or an honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United States, after at least 24 months of active duty service. Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen. Their vision must be at least 20/100 in each eye correctable to 20/40 and normal color and peripheral vision. Possess hearing with less than a 40-decibel loss in each ear. Applicants must never have been convicted of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or been on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade B misdemeanor, or a Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years from the date of court order. Applicants must not currently or recently used illegal drugs or currently or recently used intoxicating beverages excessively. Applicants must not make any false statements of fact; be deceptive by statement or omission in the pre-screening application, interview, background investigation, and polygraph or by any means in any part of the selection process.

Each applicant must then complete 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 most qualified applicants selected to be cadets then 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 27-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 that graduate on May 11 have successfully completed the 27 week Academy program that has equipped them with extensive education, training, and skills required to serve as Corpus Christi Police Officers. The next phase of training is the 28 week Field Training Officer Program in which new officers are assigned to work alongside selected experienced officers who facilitate the application of knowledge and skills the new officers acquired in the Training Academy.

Upon successful completion of the field training program, the officers will be assigned to serve in the Community Policing Division where they will perform various patrol duties that include answering calls for service, enforcement of laws, apprehension of violators, investigating crimes, resolution of family disturbances, as well as traffic enforcement.  After completion of 60 months of service, officers become eligible to serve in many specialized sections within the Police Department. These include the Criminal Investigation Division and Special Services Division. Officers will be assigned to investigate homicides, robberies, burglaries, thefts, organized crime, narcotics, auto theft, sexual assaults and other various other types of criminal activity.

Corpus Christi Police Officers are provided the opportunity to attend specialized schools to help meet goals and full potential. Promotional opportunities are competitive and available to all persons who wish to pursue a supervisory role.

The Corpus Christi Police Department congratulates the graduates of the 70th Corpus Christi Police Academy session. The graduates are:

Samantha Baldwin (Top Academic Award recipient); Imelda Benavides; Gilbert Cantu (Top Physical Fitness Award recipient); Jorge Coello; Alonzo DeLaGarza; Jorge Fernandez; Irene Gonzalez; Daniel Guajardo; Gabriel Gutierrez; Eric Hemping; BJ Hurley; Philip Martinez (Top Driving Award recipient); Allan Miller (Top Gun Award recipient); Sam Mitchell; Paul Navarro; Joshua Newman; Eduardo Tagle; and Jason Wicks.

The Matthew Thebeau Memorial Award was presented to Jorge Fernandez for the leadership abilities, service to the community, and keen humor displayed throughout the police academy. The Matthew Thebeau Memorial Award is in the memory of Corpus Christi Police Officer Matthew Thebeau who was killed in the line of duty in 2008. A $500 cash award accompanies the Thebeau Award for the purpose to purchase equipment the recipient may require in the capacity to serve as a patrol officer.

The Director of Training is Captain John Houston and his training staff includes:

Senior Officers Robert Chapa; Doc Ellis; Denise Pace; Travis Pace; Joseph Piedra; and Karl Wright.

The guest speaker for the graduation ceremony is the Honorable Sandra Watts, Judge 117th District Court. The Corpus Christi Police Department congratulates and recognizes the tremendous accomplishments of the 70th Corpus Christi Police Academy Class.

Community Outreach, Delta District

CCPD Reports Large Crowd but few Problems During Buccaneer Parade

Despite another very large crowd on hand to take in the festivities, Corpus Christi Police and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers working the Buccaneer Parade reported relatively few problems Saturday night.  There were no major incidents reported along the parade route during this year’s event, and only two minor injuries sustained by parade goers.  One spectator was transported to a local hospital following what appeared to be a seizure in the city hall parking lot.  A female participant sustained a minor injury when a truck ran over her foot during the parade; she declined medical treatment.

Although they described the crowd as well behaved, officers reported making the following arrests along the parade route:

15 arrests for Public Intoxication

3 arrests for outstanding warrants

1 arrest for Possession of a controlled substance

I citation for Minor in Possession

Community Outreach, Delta District, Traffic Safety Division

Buc Days Parade General Information

Those that attend the Buc Days Illuminated Parade scheduled for Saturday, May 5, 2012 should be aware of a few guidelines to make the event fun and safe for everyone.

The Parade route will close to traffic at 5:00pm. The parade route will start at the Buccaneer Stadium and follow Leopard Street to Lawrence Street. The Parade will then follow Lawrence to Shoreline Boulevard and then turn south on Shoreline to Park Street.

Street closures will include Leopard from Nueces Bay to Shoreline; Buffalo Street will be closed between Nueces Bay to Palm Street; and Antelope will be closed between Nueces Bay to Palm.

There are a few prohibited items along the parade route. The use of any air horns, any Fireworks, Silly String, and impact firecrackers are all prohibited, so the public is encouraged to leave those items at home. Those that attend the parade are encouraged to bring trash containers to collect and remove their garbage. Everyone that attends should also be mindful of the City Ordinance Section 23-63 for littering in prohibited places.

The parade is a family event and there will be children enjoying the parade. Those that attend will be able to claim a spot on the parade route after 5:00pm on May 4. The Corpus Christi Police wants everyone to enjoy the parade and promote a safe environment for all that attend.

Community Outreach

Police Department Honors Local Citizens

Chief Simpson presents Eric Enim and Jennifer Martinez with Citizen Certificates of Merit
Chief Simpson presents Eric Enim and Jennifer Martinez with Citizen Certificates of Merit

Chief of Police Floyd Simpson honored two local citizens for their contributions in reducing crime this morning during a brief ceremony at Police Headquarters.  Jennifer Martinez and Eric Enim were both presented with Citizen Certificate of Merit awards by Chief Simpson, recognizing them for their assistance in bringing two separate felony suspects to justice.

On March 22, 2012 Ms.  Martinez was shopping at a local discount store when she noticed a suspicious young man wandering up and down the aisles.  Something about the man’s appearance and demeanor raised Ms. Martinez’s suspicion and she continued to watch him.  When the man neared the front of the store, he suddenly walked behind the store counter where he pulled a knife and held it to the side of the female store clerk.  While the man demanded that she open the cash register, Ms. Martinez quickly dialed 911 and reported the robbery in progress.  The panicked clerk had difficulty opening the cash register, which only made the man angry and he moved closer to the woman, while continuing to threaten her with the knife.  Eventually the frightened clerk opened the register; the man quickly grabbed some cash and fled the store on foot.  Ms. Martinez followed the suspect from the store while continuing to provide the dispatcher with a thorough description of the man along with his direction of travel.  The suspect then disappeared into a residential neighborhood behind the store.

Based upon the thorough description Ms. Martinez provided, minutes later a CCPD patrol officer spotted the suspect walking down the street several blocks away.  The officer quickly detained the suspect and returned him to the store, where Ms. Martinez and the other witnesses quickly identified him as the man who had robbed the store.  The man was arrested and charged with Aggravated Robbery.

At approximately 3:44 AM on April 29, 2012 Eric Enim was delivering newspapers to a convenience store at the corner of Port and Tarlton Streets.  While in the parking lot, Mr. Enim heard a loud noise and noticed a white Chevy Suburban trailing sparks as it drove past on the SH 286 Access Road.  Mr. Enim watched as the Suburban, which had heavy front end damage and two flat front tires, ran the stoplight at Tarlton Street and turned east.  Seconds later, Mr. Enim heard a loud crash and drove to the area to investigate.  Mr. Enim saw that the same white Suburban had struck a fire hydrant on Tarlton Street and the driver was attempting to drive off.  Mr. Enim then called 911 emergency dispatch and informed them of the accident.  Little did Mr. Enim know that prior to the accident with the fire hydrant, the Suburban had struck a motorcycle at SH 286 southbound over Baldwin Avenue, leaving the driver of the motorcycle with critical injuries.

Mr. Enim remained on the phone with the MetroCom dispatcher, providing her with vital information as he watched the driver of the Suburban exit the vehicle, flee the accident scene on foot, and run to a nearby convenience store at Ayers and Tarlton Streets. Once again Mr. Enim called the dispatcher to update officers to the new location of the hit and run driver.  Within minutes a patrol officer arrived at the convenience store, and based upon the thorough description that Mr. Enim provided, the 22 year-old suspect was quickly arrested and charged with Intoxication Assault and Felony hit and run.  Mr. Enim later returned to the scene of the accident to provide a statement to the Traffic Officer investigating the accident.

For their unselfish acts of community service in these incidents, Ms. Jennifer Martinez and Mr. Eric Enim were both awarded the Corpus Christi Police Department Citizen Certificate of Merit.

Chief Simpson presents Jennifer Martinez with Citizen Certificate of Merit
Chief Simpson presents Jennifer Martinez with Citizen Certificate of Merit
Chief Simpson presents Eric Enim with Citizen Certificate of Merit
Chief Simpson presents Eric Enim with Citizen Certificate of Merit
Community Outreach

Chief Simpson Announces Promotions

Chief Floyd Simpson today announced the promotion of Commander Mark Schauer and Commander Mike Markle to the position of Assistant Chief.  Schauer and Markle will join current Assistant Chief J.V. Garcia as the Corpus Christi Police Department’s second highest ranking police officials. Schauer and Markle will fill the vacancies created when former Assistant Chief Steve Mylett left the department in November of 2011 to become Chief of Police in Southlake, Texas; the third Assistant Chief Position was approved by the City Council last week.   One of Chief Simpson’s first goals as Chief was to create a new organizational structure that ensures that all facets of the department were given adequate attention, and that units with similar goals, such as the Gang Unit and Narcotics, work together under the same command.   This new command structure will ensure that important operations such as recruiting and training will be given the attention they deserve, and that potential problems can be identified and corrected before they become major issues.

CCPD Asst. Chief Mark Schauer
Commander Mark Schauer

Commander Mark Schauer is a 30 veteran of the police department and has served as the Commander of the Support Services Division since January of 2011.  Schauer has also commanded the Uniform Patrol and Narcotics/Vice Divisions. Schauer is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy, the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, where he teaches as an adjunct professor. Schauer has supervised in almost every division in the Department, including Training, CID, MetroCom, Narcotics/Vice, and Traffic. In addition, Commander Schauer is in charge of the City’s Public Integrity Team, a specialized group of Police Department and City Officials who are assigned to investigate complaints of public corruption by city employees.  Commander Schauer was recently tasked with overseeing the reorganization of the City’s Animal Control center.

CCPD Asst. Chief Mike Markle
Commander Mike Markle

Commander Mike Markle is a 22 year veteran of the CCPD, having served as Commander of CID since January 2011. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Saint Leo University and has served most of his career (17 years) in the Uniform Division. He spent 7 years on the SWAT team, has served as a Field Training Officer and was a member of the Police Department Honor Guard. Markle has received a Lifesaving Award and a Community Service Award from the Housing Authority.   In his previous role as a Captain in Support Services he played an important role in the updating of the Department’s 911 system, upgrading the dispatch area, and assisted in obtaining a federal grant to remodel the outdated communications center.Schauer and Markle will begin their new assignments next week.  A formal promotional ceremony will be held Monday May 7th at 2:00 PM in the fifth floor auditorium of the  Main Police Building.

Charlie District, Community Outreach

Juvenile Charged with Two Counts of Graffiti

Occurred on 5/2/12, 10:35 pm   Graffiti   1400 Acapulco     1205020160 

Officer B. Gaines observed several youths gathered at the 1400 block of Acapulco, three of which he dealt on drug and graffiti related offenses.  The Officer contacted a 13-year-old who he’d issued a curfew citation to the night before and took him home. 

The mother asked for the Officer’s assistance with the teenager as he was sneaking out and vandalizing their home with graffiti.  While the Officer was talking to the mother, the 13-year-old ran out of the home and jumped onto the roof of the garage in attempt to hide from the Officer. 

The teen’s father found him and he was taken into custody.  Further investigation revealed, the juvenile had not only tagged his parent’s home, but several stop signs, no parking signs, an electrical box and outlet belonging to the City of Corpus Christi along with two signs belonging to Champion Hyundai.  The juvenile also tagged several fences belonging to elderly residents living in the Sacky area. 

The  juvenile was booked at the Nueces County Juvenile Justice Center and charged with two counts of Graffiti. The total estimated vandalism was valued at $1,700.

Is your child a tagger?  The following are indicators your child is tagging, for further information or assistance, please contact Detective Steve Smith with the Corpus Christi Graffiti Task Force at 361-886-2942. 

Profile of a Tagger
Is your Child’s Name All Over Town?
Some indications that your child may be a tagger are:
Your child stays out until early morning or all night
Your child frequently wears a large backpack or baggy pants.
Clothing my be paint-stained.
Packs and loose clothing can be used to hold paint cans or carry graffiti tools
Your child carries tools used for etching glass
Your child has taken up the hobby of ink marking.
Your child has large quantities of magic markers, shoe polish containers, or other devices used for drawing.
Your child sleeps during the day and is active outdoors at night.
Your child paint on the tips of his/her fingers.
Your child frequently has permanent marker stains on his/her hands.
Your child has graffiti magazines, flyers, a “piece” book, or portfolio of tags.
Your child possesses large quantities of “my name is” stickers or other large stickers used for “sticker tagging.”
Your child is in possession of graffiti paraphernalia, such as markers, etching tools, spray pain, bug spray, and starch cans.  The bug spray cans are used to make tags that will only show up in the rain.
Your child is in the age group statistically associated with tagging: ages 12 to 18.
Your child has graffiti displays or tags on clothing, binders, backpack, and the underside of the bill of their hat.  Tags you see on the walls of your neighborhood are seen on your child’s walls, books, and clothing.
Your hild is frequently deceitful about his/her activities.
Your child has quantities of paint in cans, but does not have the income to afford it.
Your child associates with other children with the same traits.
Your child’s Internet web browser has bookmarks to graffiti advocate websites.
Your child has photographs of graffiti and tags on walls that loo familiar to you.
Your child actively reads the alternate graffiti news group website.

Please remember, that taggers come from every race, religion, social groups, as well as from every socioeconomic status.

Community Outreach, Delta District

Prescription Drug Take-Back-Day Exceeds Last Year’s Total

The Corpus Christi Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration hosted the 3rd Annual Prescription Drug Take-Back-Day on Saturday April 28, 2012 throughout the Coastal Bend.

A total of 1,052 ponds of pills were collected at this year’s Prescription Drug Take Back Event surpassing last October’s collection of 892.6 pounds.  

The CCPD and D.E.A. would like to express our thanks to those who donated their locations as a drop off point as well as all the individuals who brought in their potentially dangerous prescription drugs.

Coastal Bend Collection Sites are listed below:     

  • KIII TV~423.28 lbs.
    5002 South Padre Island Drive, Corpus Christi
  • HEB~14.11 lbs.
    3500 Leopard, Corpus Christi
  • HEB~91.27 lbs.
    3033 S. Port Avenue, Corpus Christi
  • HEB~75.84 lbs.
    5313 Saratoga Boulevard, Corpus Christi
  • HEB(Flour Bluff)~74.07 lbs.
    1145 Waldron Road, Corpus Christi
  • HEB(Annaville)~93.47 lbs
    11100 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi
  • HEB~72.80 lbs.
    1600 Wildcat Boulevard, Portland
  • HEB~31.75 lbs.
    409 E. Kleberg, Kingsville
  • HEB(Aransas Pass)~12.79 lbs.
    101 E. Goodnight Avenue, Aransas Pass
  • HEB(Sinton)~34.39 lb.s
    106 S. San Patricio, Sinton
  • Cuero City Hall~85 lbs.
    201 E. Main Street, Cuero
  • DEA/Naval Air Station/CCAD~43.21 lbs.
Community Outreach, Delta District

Help Identify These Graffiti Vandals and Earn Extra Cash by Calling 888-TIPS

Occurred on 4/21/12, 3:40 am  Graffiti   5042 S. Padre Island Drive

The Corpus Christi Police Department is asking the public’s assistance in identifying the individuals involved in vandalizing a Salvation Army Thrift Store tractor-trailer parked behind the store.  In the early morning hours of  April 21, 2012, three individuals were captured on surveillance camera video vandalizing the tractor-trailer with graffiti. 

Anyone who has any information as to the identity of these individuals or this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or log on to www.888TIPS.com. If the information provided leads to an arrest it could earn the caller a cash reward.

Community Outreach

In Need of Transportation or Shopping for an Early Mother’s Day Gift; Stop by our Monthly Auction this Saturday

The C.C.P.D.’s commitment to “Keep Corpus Christi Safe” has continued with its
“Zero Tolerance No Insurance Initiative”

On Saturday, May 5, 2012, a total of 53 cars, trucks, and motorcycles will be auctioned at the Corpus Christi Police Department new Vehicle Impound Lot located at 5485 Greenwood Drive during our monthly auction. The new site has four paved acres for an auction lot. 

Approximately 13 of these vehicles are “No Insurance” impounds. On Friday, May 4, 2012, the general public will be allowed to register and view the vehicles to be auctioned from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is no registration fee.

On the day of the auction, the general public can continue to register and view the vehicles from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The auction will commence promptly at 10:00 a.m. The vehicles to be auctioned can be viewed at www.siskauction.com. An auction list may also be downloaded from the same website.

The department’s strong stand and enforcement of this “Zero Tolerance No Insurance Initiative” will continue and all vehicles involved in accidents will be impounded and the driver cited if they are unable to provide financial proof of insurance. Driver’s license and proof of financial responsibility checkpoints will continue to be conducted at the Shift Captains’ authorization.

Officers issued 5,508 citations and impounded 1,212 vehicles for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility during 2011. During April 2012, Officers issued 319 citations for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility and impounded 56 vehicles for the same charge.

Community Outreach, Delta District, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

Shoreline Blvd. Closed From 5PM Today Until 2PM Saturday

The Buc Days activities will disrupt traffic patterns in downtown Corpus Christi this weekend.  Shoreline Boulevard from Buford to Coopers Alley Street will be closed to traffic from 5:00pm on April 27, 2012 until 2:00pm on Saturday April 28. Shoreline Boulevard from Coopers Alley Street to the American Bank Center will be closed to traffic from 10:00am until 2:00pm on Saturday April 28 for the Buc Days Kids Parade.

Motorists are asked to take alternate routes to avoid this area. The downtown area of Corpus Christi is expected to have congested pedestrian traffic. Extra Corpus Christi Police patrol will be in the downtown area for the safety of everyone. Please be patient and courteous.