This week the Corpus Christi Police Department received the first order of cars that will be rotated into patrol. The Ford Motor Company will no longer manufacture the Crown Victoria model cars and the Corpus Christi Police Department will replace the sedans with the Ford Police Interceptor. The fleet of patrol cars does not increase, these vehicles replace others which are rotated out of the Police inventory because of the normal wear and tear of the equipment.

The Police Interceptor is a five passenger sedan with a 3.7 liter V6 engine and 6 speed automatic transmission. The new cars are a white exterior with black cloth and vinyl interior.

Some of the features of this vehicle are 18 inch steel wheels, a full size 18 inch spare tire, underbody deflector plate, key locks for the driver door, truck, and passenger door, black vinyl floor covering, tilt and telescoping steering column, all wheel drive system, and dual spotlights. Some features that were included with the vehicle from the manufacturer are for safety such as the strobing lights on the interior of the trunk. The lights in the trunk provide visibility while the open trunk shields the overhead lightbar. There are also front, side, and safety canopy airbags on the interior of the cars.

The new vehicles arrived on February 27 from the manufacturer and must be outfitted with the decals, radio and computer console, light bars, push bumpers, cages, and other accessories installed locally. Much of the needed accessories will be able to be transferred from outgoing patrol cars into the new vehicles. The public can expect to see the new cars on the road in the Fall.

Seven Corpus Christi Police Officers were promoted to the rank of Senior Officer Wednesday, February 27, 2013 in a ceremony with Chief of Police Floyd Simpson at the Corpus Christi Police Department.

The officers successfully completed a proficiency exam which covered material from publications such as the Corpus Christi Police General Rules Manual, the Texas Criminal and Traffic Laws Manual, the Texas Penal Code, the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the Texas Family Code, the Texas  Transportation Code, and the text-book titled Leadership, Ethics, and Policing for the 21^st Century by P.J. Ortmeier and Edwin Meese.

The officers must have attained 60 months of service as a commissioned officer in the Corpus Christi Police Department to be eligible to take the exam. Other requirements to take the exam are that they possess an Intermediate Peace Officer license issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education or at least have 60 hours college credit from an accredited college or university.

The Senior Officer exam was graded as an individual pass or fail examination with a minimum score of 70% required to pass the exam.

The Corpus Christi Police Department celebrates the newly promoted Senior Officers: Jamie L. Pelfrey, Isaac Rodriguez, Jason P. Tello, Daniel H. Sotello, Ernesto R. Coronado, William M. Hobbs, Eusebio Cano Jr.

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s commitment to “Keep Corpus Christi Safe” has continued with its “Zero Tolerance No Insurance Initiative”

On Saturday, March 2, 2013, a total of 95 cars, trucks, and motorcycles will be auctioned at the Corpus Christi Police Department’s  Vehicle Impound Lot located at 5485 Greenwood Drive during our monthly auction. The site has four paved acres for an auction lot.

Approximately 17 of these vehicles are “No Insurance” impounds. On Friday, March 1, 2013, 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.

During 2012, Officers issued 5,756 citations for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility and impounded 1,009 vehicles.  In 2013, Officers have issued 487 citations and impounded 140 for the same charge.

The Corpus Christi Police Department will accept applications from interested clergy of all faiths to serve the community in a Police Chaplain Corps. The purpose of the Police Chaplain Corps is to meet optional counseling needs of the officers of the Corpus Christi Police Department and to provide comfort to members of the community in times of crisis based on request.

Clergy of all faiths and denominations are encouraged to apply to be volunteers. Anyone interested may contact Senior Officer Chuck Freeman by email at charlesf@cctexas.com for an application.

A candidate for Police Chaplain must meet the minimum qualifications for appointment:

1. Be an ordained or licensed member of the clergy who resides in Corpus Christi in good standing and is endorsed for police chaplaincy by a religious organization or denomination recognized by the State of Texas.

2. Complete a volunteer police chaplain background investigation.

3. Be a U.S. citizen and possess a valid and current Texas driver’s license.

4. Have NOT been convicted or under investigation of a Class B misdemeanor or greater offense.

5. Have NOT been convicted or under investigation of any family violence offense.

6. Have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude

Application Process: Includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Complete an initial interview with the Senior Police Chaplain.

2. Complete and return the Corpus Christi Police Chaplain Application.

3. Submit a copy your ordination and/or license and a letter of endorsement for police chaplaincy from your religious organization.

4. Sign the CCPD annual police chaplain commitment agreement.

5. Endorse and sign the International Conference of Police Chaplains Code of Ethics.

6. Endorse and sign the Corpus Christi Police Chaplain Vision Statement.

7. Complete and return CCPD Police Chaplain background packet; successfully pass CCPD Police Chaplain background investigation.

8. Successfully complete CCPD Police Chaplain Basic Certification Training Course.

9. Successfully complete an interview with the Corpus Christi Police Chaplain Personnel Committee.

10. Complete police chaplain field training program of at least three to six months.

11. Receive recommendation for appointment to chaplain from CCPD Senior Police Chaplain.

12. Be approved and appointed as a Police Chaplain by the Corpus Christi Chief of Police.

Completion and appointment as Police Chaplaincy:

1. Participate in the Police Chaplain training program at a minimum of twelve hours annually.

2. Provide services as an On-Call Police Chaplain for a one month period.

3. Graduate from the Corpus Christi Citizens Police Academy within one year of appointment.

4. Complete a minimum of two police Ride-Alongs annually.