Police Officer of the Month

November 2006

Chief William J. McMahon selected PFC Jason Ellis as Police Officer of the Month for November 2006. Below are several examples of exceptional police work that he exhibited during the month.

Hate Bias Incident: On November 29th he was made aware of an HBI that occurred the day before. Two white students at Reservoir High School gained access into a black student’s school e-mail account and committed an HBI. These two suspect students signed into the school computer lab under the victim student’s name and then signed into his e-mail account. They created a folder and repeatedly typed the same phrase that contained obscene language and disturbing racial comments. Ellis began an investigation and obtained a list of students who were in the computer lab at the time the HBI folder was created. Ellis identified several possible suspects utilizing a class roster and school surveillance methods. After interviews and interrogations were completed, the two suspect students admitted to the incident and confessed their involvement. Both students were charged with HBI, Harassment and Disrupting School Activities.

Strong-Arm Robbery: PFC Ellis started an investigation in late October for a strong-arm robbery which occurred in the hallway of Reservoir High School. In early November, he concluded his investigation and made three arrests. He became aware of the incident after a parent called the school and advised she was not allowing her son to attend school because he was in fear for his life. The parent advised her son was robbed of his cell phone while in the hallway of the school. Ellis immediately began an investigation. The victim advised that three students confronted him in the stairway, assaulted him and demanded his money. The victim didn’t have any money so the suspects stole the victim’s cell phone. Ellis identified three suspects who confessed and admitted to the incident. Through his work in this case, he was able to determine that a group of juveniles from the Whiskey Bottom area were forming a gang called “Get Money Block Gang.” The three students he arrested were indeed part of this new gang.

As a result of the above strong-arm robbery and gang involvement, Ellis set up a training seminar on November 13th. Ellis, along with members of the Street Drug Unit and Intelligence Section, went to Reservoir High and spoke to the School Administration about things to look for when trying to identify gang members and gang activity as well as students using and distributing CDS.

Child Abuse: A victim reported that her mother hit her in the back with a tennis shoe, then picked up a windshield ice scraper and began to swing it at her, cutting the victim’s hand. Ellis investigated the matter and made all proper notifications. It was determined that the mother was upset over clothing her daughter was wearing to school and was attempting to discipline her. A “Safe Plan” was established and the victim was allowed to stay with a family friend. You notified Child Abuse and DSS who are continuing the investigation.

PFC Ellis is dedicated to the department’s goal of being proactive in the community in an effort to reduce crime. The community he serves encompasses the students and faculty of Reservoir High School. The students trust in and confide in him, thus making Ellis a valuable asset to the school.

For these reasons, PFC Ellis was selected as Police Officer of the Month for November 2006.

Congratulations and keep up the good work!