Police Officer of the Month

February 2003

Detective First Class Matthew Tanis was selected as Police Officer of the month for February 2003. DFC Tanis has consistently demonstrated a high degree of initiative and productivity and has maintained an energetic schedule as the Training Coordinator and as a Team Leader with the Critical Incident Negotiation Team.

During February DFC Tanis worked on over 20 cases, all involving felony crimes such as child abuse, rape and sex offenses. He also initiated the development of an intelligence file dedicated to sex offender registration. DFC Tanis was able to streamline the process of sex offender registration, due to the improved communication between our agency and the State Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Several notable examples of his investigations are listed below:

A 14-year old victim was sexually assaulted by his 21-year old stepbrother resulting in a search and seizure warrant. The warrant produced evidence of the crime and a subsequent interrogation yielded an admission.

In another case a victim reported being sexually abused by her grandfather over a 3-year period. DFC Tanis conducted a one-party consent phone call with the suspect and victim. The suspect admitted to abusing the victim during the call. Following his arrest he admitted to the allegations and was criminally charged with the abuse of the child.

DFC Tanis was also assigned the investigation of a sex offense, in which a particular individual was identified as the suspect. While interrogating the suspect, he confessed to not only sexually assaulting the victim, but also admitted to photographing another child during the same incident. A search and seizure warrant produced narcotics, paraphernalia and digital photographs, resulting in numerous charges. During the course of this investigation, DFC Tanis also determined that the suspect had claimed responsibility for committing several other non-related crimes. One of the crimes involved a destruction of property at the Bellow Springs Elementary School, which was under construction. The damage estimate was in excess of $100,000 dollars. Being cognizant of the on-going Property Crimes investigation, DFC Tanis made contact with the case investigator and assisted in the arrest of the suspect. Following the arrest, DFC Tanis conducted the interrogation, during which the suspect admitted to destroying the school. The suspect was subsequently charged with a breaking and entering, trespassing and malicious destruction of property at the Bellow Springs Elementary School.

In addition to his enforcement efforts, DFC Tanis maintains a commitment to the community in the form of regular volunteer service. Each year DFC Tanis volunteers his time to the National Education Association, while participating in the “Read Across America” program.

DFC Tanis' dedication to duty is appreciated by the police department.