Happy Halloween

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Tomorrow night is Halloween. When you become a police officer and are out on patrol, Halloween night can be a busy one, especially when it falls on a Saturday. Some of the calls for service can be quite interesting on this particular night. I hope everyone has a fun and safe night.

Check out today's post on the HPD Facebook Fan Page for Halloween safety tips at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Houston-TX/Houston-Police-Department/103350909719

If you know me and you know this blog, I tend to have a humorous side to me. The first video is courtesy of AFV on youtube, however the second video is from 2006 in which I played a prank on my wife. My wife is deathly afraid of roaches. Should I have compassion for that fear? Yes. Did I? No. When you come across a bag of plastic roaches at the store sometimes you just can't help yourself.

Yes, we are still married.

Hispanic Officer of the Year

Courtesy of the HPD Video Production Unit

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"Police Pirates"

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More than 50 Houston area police officers donned different uniforms - Pirates outfits - to storm and take over a car wash to wash as many cars as they possibly could last Saturday, all to benefit Special Olympics. The “police pirates” greeted customers and gave away goodies to children during the car wash fundraiser at the CARisma Wash at 5203 Kirby Drive. The event was extremely successful. Over $3300 dollars was raised and will to go toward the Special Olympics.

New Hours

The Recruiting office is now open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you have any questions please contact your Recruiter directly or you may call the main number at 713-308-1300.

If you still have questions, try changing the battery in your watch. Thanks for the blog support!

Opportunity?

This picture was sent in by one of our Helicopter Pilots from his cell phone. I thought I would share. Do you realize that we have one of the largest helicopter units in the United States. HPD gives you the opportunities that the smaller departments can't. What are you waiting for, apply today at http://www.hpdcareer.com/

Funny Friday - Police Applicant Failures

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I promise we will not require your services if you come to an interview and act like this. Have a great weekend!

This is only a joke and these are not actual police applicants.

Helos

Courtesy of J. Whyte, HPD Photo Lab

Did you know that after you put four years of patrol experience under your belt you could put in for a transfer to the Air Support Division. If you get chosen and accepted into the unit based on your experience and work history we can train you to fly a helicopter. How cool is that? Very few police departments have an Air Support Division. By joining the Houston Police Department you will be giving yourself opportunities that a smaller department can not give you. You know the old saying, "when opportunity knocks, you should let it in". Here is your opportunity at www.hpdcareer.com

HPD's Brand New Mounted Patrol and K-9 Facility Opens!

Courtesy of the Houston Police Video Production Unit

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Not for the squeamish

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This video comes from San Diego, California PD. The helicopter unit does an outstanding job in warning the officers on the street of possible dangers involving this suspect who was fleeing from them. The video shows the incident coming to an end and is quite graphic. This shows the team work and training involved when it come to catching a dangerous suspect. Be aware, the video is somewhat graphic and you may choose not to watch. If you are on this blog, you have interest in becoming a police officer and you need to be able to handle these type of situations.

HPD Parking Enforcement

Old photo taken in front of HPD headquarters. That is one big purse...

Old photo in front of HPD Headquarters

As I look at the photo, I was just curious as to why no one smiled in the old days...could it be that Shipleys Donut's had not placed a franchise in Houston yet?

Rattlesnakes or Roaches?

A fellow officer sent me this picture of a rattlesnake that was killed in the backyard of someones home. Four small children were playing in the yard when the snake was spotted and the police were called. The officer had to shoot the snake in the head. This took place in a small town off of Highway 290 near Austin. It seems that during the major drought they had this summer the snakes were coming into the yards looking for water. I have been a police officer for almost 28 years now and I have never heard of, or had to deal with a rattlesnake as a Houston cop. However, I have dealt with some really BIG Texas roaches. Which is better? You tell me.

Mounted Patrol

One of the many opportunities with HPD. What do you do for a living?

Don't Bother Applying - Part Two

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If anyone comes across this individual, tell him he might not want to join the Houston Police Department. The series of videos that I am posting titled "Don't Bother Applying" are purely for fun. I encourage everyone to apply to HPD. After six months of the best training in the world, no little mouse will scare you. (Just the Texas size roaches might) :)

Columbus Day

Have a great Columbus Day. The recruiting office is open today. If you need to speak with your recruiter please call 713-308-1300.

Don't bother applying

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If anyone comes across these two individuals, please tell them NOT to apply. Thanks. :)

HPD Motorcycles "Solos"

The Houston Police Department Motorcycle Detail better known as “SOLO Detail” was established in 1909 to address the growing traffic concerns in downtown Houston.

In 2005 the detail was reassigned to the Mobility Incident Management Division which was created in recognition of the fact that mobility is a significant public safety and quality of life issue.

The SOLO Detail consists of 40 riding officers and 4 riding sergeants. They are tasked with patrolling the freeway, conducting escorts and dignitary protection. Each motorcycle officer completes 40 hours of initial training when selected to the unit. Additionally, officers participate in a 16-hour yearly re-certification and 4-hour monthly refresher course. Training is a primary concern of the detail due to the hazardous nature of the assignment. Officers focus on handling the motorcycle at slow speeds, evasive maneuvers and braking techniques.

Officers for this detail are selected when an opening occurs and they must possess a valid Texas Class M license, have excellent work and attendance history with a minimum of two years experience as an officer. Furthermore, they must have a willingness to work flexible hours and shifts in inclement weather. Applicants must also pass a riding evaluation to demonstrate their ability to operate a motorcycle over a course designed to evaluate basic motorcycle riding skills.

Got Milk?

A farmer used his cow as a weapon and sprayed cops with milk during a protest in Brussels the other day. The protest was over the falling milk prices in Europe. If you join HPD, I feel certain you will never encounter something like this. However, that's the beauty of police work, you never know...

2009 National Night Out is TONIGHT!

Beginning at 6 p.m. TONIGHT (Tuesday, Oct. 6), Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt is scheduled to visit with citizens in various neighborhoods during National Night Out festivities. The Chief’s scheduled appearances are:

Discovery Green Park at 1500 McKinney Street at 6 p.m. with Mario Williams of the Houston Texans

Cuney Homes Resident Council at 3260 Truxillo

Midtown Civic Club at 1700 Southmore Blvd.

Super Neighborhood Council #42 at 19225 Sears Drive

In addition to those events, officers and the HPD armored SWAT vehicle, “The Bear,” are scheduled to visit the National Night Out event in the Lindale Park subdivision in the 500 block of Joyce.

For more information click this link: http://www.houstontx.gov/police/chief/nno2k9.htm

Divers, Then and Now...

The Dive Team is responsible for responding to water-related scenes encountered by the department. The primary responsibility of this team is processing underwater crime scenes by searching for and recovering evidence, vehicles and bodies. The team also performs underwater searches of ships in the Houston Ship Channel and assists in narcotics trafficking investigations as well as conducting in-water security sweeps of dock areas. The team is capable of conducting searches for explosive devices attached to ships and other underwater structures. They also work in conjunction with the Bomb Squad to process major events. Support is also provided by the team to the SWAT Detail for waterborne operations such as tactical ship boarding and water-to-land operations.

The team maintains a full commercial diving capability for entering contaminated water sites, and can conduct sonar scans to produce visual documentation of underwater scenes for evidential purposes. During floods, the team is deployed in boats to assist with evacuations, and all divers are fully trained to respond with the Helicopter Division to conduct aerial rescues utilizing the rescue harnesses.

The Dive Team is currently the response team for the Port of Houston tasked with conducting searches of commercial ships for explosive devices and underwater contraband. In addition, the team is currently providing technical support for the Houston Police Environmental Unit by assisting in site surveys and underwater sonar imaging for illegal discharge points.

Awareness Test

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A reader sent me a pretty cool Awareness Test. After viewing it, I have to admit, I got it wrong. You really have to be aware when you become a police officer. Click play above and see if you get it right. Thanks for supporting the blog! Have a great weekend.

HPD Air Support - Helicopters (Fox)

Click Play Above Courtesy of the HPD Video Production Unit