Police Officer of the Month

May 2002

Chief Livesay selected PO Scott Wheeler as Police Officer of the Month for May,2002.

While only working a total of fifteen days during the month, Officer Wheeler managed to supercede his squad's goals and objectives by obtaining 4 adult arrests, 10 adult custodial arrests, 3 juvenile arrests, 6 DWI arrests, 9 FIRs and 14 Insights.

Some of his noteworthy incidents include:

Shoplifting: Officer Wheeler responded to the Columbia Mall for a shoplifter in custody. The suspect attempted to steal $210 worth of clothing from one of the vendors in the mall. Instead of just documenting the incident and referring the complainant to the commissioner’s office, Officer Wheeler took the initiative to issue the suspect a criminal citation for theft under $500.00

Wanted Subject & M/V Violation: While on routine patrol, Officer Wheeler conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with an inoperable tag light. An MVA check on the driver of the vehicle revealed his license status was suspended and he was in possession of an suspended driver's license. After placing the driver under arrest, Officer Wheeler proceeded to ask the female passenger for identification. A MILES/NCIC check on the passenger revealed her to be a fugitive from the state of Michigan. The subject was wanted by the U.S. Marshal's Office in regard to federal drug charges.

CDS Violation: Officer Wheeler conducted a traffic stop in the area of Dobbin Center in regard to a vehicle with an inoperable taillight. An MVA check on the driver revealed his license status was suspended and he was in possession of a suspended driver's license. Upon placing the driver into custody, a search incident to arrest was conducted on the vehicle. The search of the vehicle revealed a small quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The driver and passenger were subsequently placed under arrest.

In addition to the high volume of work produced during the month of May, Officer Wheeler initiated two (2) POP Projects within the Charlie area. Both involved potential life-threatening situations with motor vehicles:

The first was a problem intersection within Officer Wheeler's beat (Oakland Mills Road at Snowden Center) where there had been at least two motor vehicle personal injury accidents. After explaining the problem to representatives from the County's Traffic Maintenance Division, a stop sign was placed at the locations.

The second concerned drag racing occurring in the 9500 block of Gerwig Lane in Columbia. It was determined that the youths involved in the illegal drag racing were from Prince Georges County and Washington, D.C. The youths migrated to Howard County after speed bumps were installed on the roadway they were illegally racing on in Price Georges County. Officer Wheeler alerted the County's Traffic Maintenance Division and recommended a solution to the problem by having speed bumps installed on the quarter mile stretch of roadway.

Officer Wheeler has demonstrated his dedication to his profession and the community he serves.

Congratulations and keep up the good work!