| Correctional Compass January 2005 |
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Commendation for Correctional Probation Senior Officer Donald Edens
By Deputy Circuit Administrator David M. Rice, Circuit 6 Clearwater
On January 17, absconder Brian L. Benjamin, DC# 833071, was arrested at approximately 9:35 am on an outstanding Violation of Conditional Release warrant at his place of employment, American Freight Company, 515 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., Clearwater, FL 33756. Benjamin has a long record of grand theft, fraud, assault and battery on law enforcement officers.
Officer Donald J. Edens is commended for his dedication to duty.
The circumstances surrounding this case are: I received a call from the absconder unit on Friday indicating there was information to believe this offender was working for a firm in Clearwater and would be picking up his paycheck either Friday or Monday. Officer Edens went out both days to ensure the offender's arrest. Shortly after 9:30 am on Monday, Officer Edens notified me that the offender was in custody. He also notified the absconder team and made appropriate data base entries. (This was not his case but Edens was asked to get involved, which he did, and followed it through to successful completion).
In taking the subject into custody, this officer was assisted by Tom Stein and Officer Richardson of the Clearwater Police Department. The subject will be held in the Pinellas County Jail until such time that the subject is transported to a correctional institution.
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Public Safety in Action
By Linda Brooks, circuit administrator, Region I
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On January 12, Officer Eugene Jones, Ocala West P&P office, received a call from an officer with the Ocala Police Department. The officer stated that a 14-year-old runaway female may be residing with one of our offenders in Ocala. Officer Jones advised Supervisors Gloria Burgman and John Walkup of the situation. After reviewing the offender file, Officer Jones realized that the offender had missed his scheduled appointment for the this month and was behind in monetary payments.
Officer Jones prepared a violation of probation and a probable cause (PC) arrest report. Officer Jones and Supervisor Walkup then met two Ocala PD officers a few blocks from the offender's residence. The situation was discussed and photos of the offender and the 14-year-old runaway was exchanged by all. Officer Jones and Supervisor Walkup then proceeded to the offender’s residence. A young lady answered the door and let them in. Officer Jones then conducted a walk-thru of the residence for safety purposes. He located another adult male in the residence and asked him to step into the living room with Supervisor Walkup. Officer Jones then located the 14-year-old girl standing in a closet with the door open and asked her to step into the living room. Ocala Police then came inside the residence and identified the 14-year-old girl. Ocala Police took her into custody to be returned to her mother. Officer Jones, Supervisor Walkup and the Ocala Police then traveled to the offender's place of employment and initiated a PC arrest. Ocala Police will be filing charges on him for harboring a runaway and possibly other charges, depending on the results of their investigation.
This is an example of how our officers and supervisors continually work in partnership with local agencies in protecting the community.
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Department Employees Graduate Statewide Leadership Training Program
On October 6, 2004, at Florida Atlantic University, a graduation ceremony was held for graduates of the Florida Leadership Succession Training Program. Terry Korns, deputy circuit administrator of 15-0 West Palm Beach and Kathryn DeGroat, correctional probation senior supervisor of 19-2 Vero Beach were graduates from the Department of Corrections.
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This training began in February, 2004 and was held monthly for two days each month in Fort Lauderdale. The training was developed by the Department of Financial Services and participants were selected from various state agencies, including Children Youth and Families, Department of Revenue, Department of Transportation,Department of Environmental Protection,Florida Highway Patrol to name a few. This training was developed to prepare future leaders in Florida state agencies to accommodate the number of "baby boomers" who will be retiring within the next 5 years.
Topics included Leadership, Character, Communication, Human Relations, Problem Analysis, Decision Making, Planning,Organizing, Delegation,Team Building, Performance Management,Budget Management and Customer Service. Participants also had to read at least 3 books in the area of management and complete book reports or lead discussions with other members regarding the books read. The training teaches participants to relate to the challenges that will face future leaders in state government and developed meaningful contacts and interaction within state agencies.
| Correctional Compass January 2005 |