Bill LePere

Do I Stop or Be Careful and Prudent?

One of the nuances coming out of the new law permitting photo enforcement of red light running violations in Florida is the "careful and prudent" standard for right turns on red. A full stop is not required for photo enforcement…

Red Light Camera Update

The new state statute authorizing photo enforcement of red light running violations went into effect July 1, 2010. This statute preempts camera enforcement to the state, and thus puts all local programs under statutory guidelines rather than municipal ordinances. We…

SPCA Recognizes K-9 Officer Bosque

We are celebrating National Be Kind to Animals week May 2 – 8, 2010, as proclaimed by the City Commission during this morning’s Commission meeting. As part of the proclamation reading today at City Hall, the SPCA gave special recognition…

So You Want To Be a Sergeant

We just concluded a series of interviews last week with 10 police officers wanting to be promoted to the rank of police sergeant. What an uplifting experience that was for the Department’s Executive Staff, though the candidates may describe it…

Presidents’ Roundtable Public Safety Awards Luncheon

We just got back from the 42nd Annual Presidents’ Roundtable Public Safety Awards Luncheon where public safety professionals around Lakeland and Polk County were honored for exemplary acts of service. The luncheon and awards are hosted by the many civic…

Another Reason to Lock Your Car

Readers of this blog have repeatedly read my pleas for people to lock their valuables or risk losing them – thus, the catchy phrase Lock It or Lose It. Many will simply look at the victims as being an unfortunate…

Looking At The Cost of Crime

LakelandPD gave a presentation this morning to the City Commission regarding the cost of crime, specifically the business cost to crime calls and the amount of resources needed to investigate reported crime. Titled "Looking At the Cost of Crime", our…

Traffic Safety and Protest Marches

We want to let the public know about plans to close a portion of South Florida Avenue on Sunday afternoon as the Coalition of Immokalee Workers prepares to conduct a protest march in the road between Southgate and Munn Park…

Apply for 2010 Citizens Police Academy

We are now accepting applications for the 2010 Citizens Police Academy that starts on August 19 and graduates November 18. This year’s academy will be on Thursday evenings from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the police station. Visit our…

And the Winner Is…

LakelandPD celebrated the exceptional service of our members in 2009 during our annual awards presentation last night. Recognized for their actions included members receiving Meritorious Service Awards and Lifesaving Awards, as well as naming the Officer of the Year, Detective…

2009 Crime in Lakeland

The 2009 Report on Crime in Lakeland, containing our final 2009 UCR data, is now released to the public. Overall crime in Lakeland declined by 4.5% in 2009 compared to 2008. Violent crime was down 7.8% and all property crime…

“Don’t You Have Something Better To Do?”

I wish I had a dollar for every time someone asked me if I had something better to do than what I was doing at the moment. Such was the situation with a letter we received this week asking if…

Working Together to Solve Neighborhood Problems

One of the key elements to our community policing and problem-solving philosophy is to work in a collaborative manner with neighborhoods and other stakeholders to solve issues that give rise to crime and other quality of life concerns. It’s all…

LakelandPD PIO Jack Gillen Retires

He was the face and voice of LakelandPD for 15 years, a constant presence in the local media for many years as he told the public about tragedy after tragedy with a calm, reassuring demeanor. This stellar career and years…

Funeral Arrangements for Officer Charlie Dallas

Funeral arrangements for Officer Charlie Dallas are posted on our website. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail if you have further questions I can answer. – Asst Chief Bill LePere

Community Support for Officer Dallas

On behalf of the Dallas family and the members of the Lakeland Police Department, let me offer a word of thanks to the community for your support during our grieving over the death of Officer Charlie Dallas. The photo below…

INSIDE LakelandPD – A Top Ten Blog

Our INSIDE LakelandPD blog was recently listed as one of the top ten police blogs by CareersinCriminalJustice.com. While that ranking was partially the result of how our blog comes up during keyword searches, it is nice to receive such recognition…

Tweeting DUI Arrests – Good or Bad Idea?

While reviewing my Google news alerts this morning, I came across a blog posting that reported how DUI arrests in Mongtomery County, Texas will be posted on Twitter during the period between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. If you…

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

And so on this night before Christmas 2009, I want to pause and give a special thanks to the many public safety workers who are on-duty this evening rather than at home with their families. These professionals, officers and dispatchers…

Chasing a Laser – Predictive Policing

I am a confirmed cat-lover with three felines currently living in our house. One of the ways I play with them is to take a laser pointer and aim the beam of light on the floor. Watching them eagerly chase…

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