Academy Class Update!

The downturn in the economy significantly increased our applicant numbers. As a result, we are experiencing a high volume of applications which is resulting in longer processing times. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask that you remain patient.

We have two classes of 70 cadets each scheduled to begin on March 21, 2011, and May 23, 2011. If you are interested in applying, you should do so as soon as possible to increase your chance of being in the applicant pool for these classes. If you have already applied and have not been contacted for an interview, please note that you do not need to reapply since your application is awaiting processing.

Please check back at: www.hpdcareer.com - www.hpdblog.com - or visit HPD at Facebook at www.facebook.com/houstonpolice - for updated information on applicant processing.

If you have any additional questions, please contact HPD Recruiting at 713-308-1300 or 800-252-0473.

Crime Scene Unit

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One of over 250 divisional and unit opportunities within the Houston Police Department.

This is a very tight group of officers that work hand in hand to help investigators solve a case. They are part of the Homicide Division. This is a very interesting and unique job within the police department.

HPD History - 1927

HPD History, 1927: Pocket watch saves life. “Thanks” to the pocket watch; Detective Fondren was able to return to police work. He served and protected the citizens of Houston until his retirement. The new HPD Museum is now open, located at Police Headquarters, 1200 Travis, admission is free.

Feeling down? Saddle up.

Even if you are a police horse, not everyone is going to agree with you.

Become part of a "summer movie" for real!

Moving on...

This morning Alberto Elizondo, Chapel Love III, John Wall and Claudia Cruz were promoted to Sergeant of Police and Alfonso Giraldo, Sr. was promoted to Lieutenant of Police. Everyone here at HPD and Recruiting congratulates you and wishes you the best in your new assignments.

HPD K-9 "Alpos" at the HPD Moonlight Bike Ride

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HPD K-9 "Alpos" was recently our guest at the HPD Facebook Booth during the third annual HPD Moonlight Bike Ride held earlier this month. Alpos posed for so many photographs that he had to wear shades the next day. Were you there? Take a look at the slide show and see if you posed with Alpos. Thanks for the support. For more information regarding the Bike ride and how to contribute, please visit www.houstonpolicefoundation.com

Stripped in Seconds

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As a police officer you will be asked to catch crooks who strip cars for their parts to make extra cash. They are fast, really fast. I remember on patrol when we could get a call from a citizen reporting a car being stripped in a vacant lot. It seems that even though we would arrive in just a few minutes, they always managed to have the car in pieces by the time we got there. Check out this video. It only takes a few minutes to strip a car. Crazy!

Cops and Donuts? Who would have thought...

What began as a crazy idea among police friends is quickly becoming an international phenomenon. There is a doughnut shop and bakery in Clare, Michigan that has been in constant operation since 1896. This foundation business was within weeks of closing when the members of the Clare Police Department came to the rescue. All of them. That's right, all nine members of the local police department banded together to save this historic business. Dubbed "Cops and Doughnuts," the business boasts handmade confections of all types.

http://www.copsdoughnuts.com/

Happy Fathers Day

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“Unquestionably, it was going to be highly dangerous. Yet I felt it was quite natural to jump at the task. After all, if you don't like action and excitement, you don't go into police work."

~Eliot Ness

Officers in Action

Helicopter Patrol Officers Thomas and Booth, while flying a routine patrol flight were dispatched to 24600 East Lake Houston Pkwy in regards to two missing girls. Two thirteen-year-old girls had wandered off into a heavy wooded area, became disoriented and could not find their way out. These officers arrived quickly and began a systematic search of the area using a FLIR (FLIR uses detection of thermal energy to create a "picture" assembled for video output) system that was attached to the helicopter. After only FIVE minutes of searching, the officers located the two lost girls standing on a log waving their arms. Once spotted, the helicopter officers guided the ground patrol officers to the girls and back out to the roadway. Within a matter of minutes, these officers saved the parents a very long and sleepless night.

Just when you have seen it all...

As a police officer, you'll see and experience things most people only read about. It's the best education on Earth . I have been a Houston police officer for 28 years and thought I had seen, or at least heard it all. "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water..." this story comes along.

Mr. Sony Dong was arrested in March for trying to smuggle songbirds into the United States. He got caught when a Los Angeles International Airport inspector noticed feathers peeking out from the bottom of his pants and bird poop on his shiny black shoes. More than a dozen birds were strapped to his legs with buttoned cloth wrappings. He recently received four months in jail.

You are going to love this career. Every day is different and definitely not boring.

Close call

And the concealed hand gun debate continues...

2010 Moonlight Bike Ride

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So much fun! Thank you for the support. For more information please visit: www.houstonpolicefoundaton.com

SWAT

Seriously, where else can you have this much fun?

Officers in Action

A Local Burglar Alarm call came in for the Vista Bank located on the Northwest Freeway. Officer Will was the first to arrive and observed two males exiting the building. Officer Will apprehended one of the suspects after a brief foot chase. He was able to put out a good description and direction of travel for the other suspect. The suspect ran across the Northwest Freeway and disappeared into some dense woods. This effectively created two separate scenes. Assisting officers, having fresh information and being knowledgeable of the area, coordinated with each other and were able to set up a perimeter and contain the suspect.

Sergeant Slover called for the assistance of two HPD K-9 units in order to clear the bank of suspects and to search the wooded area on the far side of the freeway at the same time. The bank was cleared fairly quickly by Officer Bearden and his K-9 partner. Officer Neck and his K-9 partner spent approximately 45 minutes attempting to locate the second suspect. Officer Neck and his partner found and arrested the second suspect in a heavily wooded area.

The suspects in this incident turned off the power to the bank, destroyed the side entry door, disabled several of the inside cameras, and used gas powered tools to cause several thousand dollars worth of damage to the interior of the building. There is little doubt that these suspects have committed previous burglaries and would continue to commit burglaries in the area. These officers, by working together and using good police practices, were able to arrest and file felony charges on these suspects.

Officers K. Will, R. Escamilla, C. Dexter, R. Estrada, Officer M. Gonzalez, E. Maner, B. Foley, D. Cunningham, Probationary Police Officer J. Campise, Senior Police Officers M. Belinoski, D. Neck, and W. Bearden, should all be commended for a job well done.

Houston Police Moonlight Bike Ride

Houston Police Moonlight Bike Ride
Friday, June 11, 2010
9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Join us for the third annual Houston Police Moonlight Classic Bike Ride. This two-hour recreational ride is for cyclists of all ages and abilities on a traffic-free course stretching 5 to 25 miles on Memorial Drive.

Bring the family and enjoy the ride along with music, snacks, and rides including the Ferris Wheel, Shark Tank and White Tigers (free to registered riders - a $16 value)

http://www.houstonpolicefoundation.com/en/cev/8

Happy Donut Day!

HPD police officer's actual wedding cake sent from his cell phone.

HPD K-9 "Alpo's" getting ready for the ultimate treat.

Former Police Cadet Vento learning about donuts early.

Current Officer Vento putting what he learned in the academy to practice.

Happy Donut Day! National Donut Day is on the first Friday of June each year and follows on the Donut Day event created by the Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the women who served donuts to soldiers during World War I. The holiday celebrates the doughnut (a.k.a... "donut") — an edible, ring-shaped piece of dough which is deep-fried and sweetened.

Family helping Family

32 year veteran, Sergeant Bob Mireles, needs your help. He has been gravely ill for several weeks. He recently underwent surgery and required a large amount of blood. 30 volunteers are needed to donate blood in his name. St. Luke’s hospital will have a mobile donation bus come to the Clear Lake Substation to accomplish this. Presently set for Friday, June 11, 2010 from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and returning at 1:00 p.m. The Clear Lake Substation is located at 2855 Bay Area Blvd Houston, TX 77058. You do not have to be a Houston Police Department employee to donate. Snacks and juice will be provided. Please contact Linda Phelps at 281-218-3914 or by email at linda.phelps@cityofhouston.net

Please contact her before June 8th so that she may finalize arrangements with St. Luke’s Hospital.

Are you ready?

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Last week, Academy Class 209 took its initial Physical Fitness Training Assessment. It was not pretty. To quote an old Clint Eastwood movie it was "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." If you are not in shape when you begin the academy (which I highly suggest that you are) you will be by the time you finish the academy. Good luck class 209, it only gets hotter in Houston as summer has just begun.