East 34th Street Homicide

Richmond Police detectives are in the early stages of a homicide investigation that occurred on the city’s Southside last night.

At approximately 6:27 p.m. Thursday, officers received a call for a person down in the 100 block of East 34^th Street. Officers arrived on scene within one minute and found Samuel L. McFail Jr., 29, of the 3400 block of Peyton Avenue, dead of an apparent gunshot wound.

Detectives believe the crime may be robbery related, and ask anyone with any information about this crime to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both methods are anonymous. 

Richmond Police Promote Five Officers Within Its Rank

The Richmond Police Department is pleased to announce the promotions of five officers to the ranks of sergeant at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Dec. 6, at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road.

Chief Ray J. Tarasovic is proud to recognize the achievements of the officers who will now take on the new responsibilities of first-line supervisors.

“These officers have already shown immense ability and a self-generated drive towards leadership,” he said. “They have led their fellow officers with a determined work ethic, problem-solving skills and teamwork. I look forward to these professionals growing even further sergeants.”

Being promoted to the rank of sergeant are:

1.    Robert Fleming

2.    James Killingsworth

3.    Roy Pullen

4.    Stanley Sutton

5.    Andy Wilkins

The public and members of the media are invited to attend.

Sgt. Fleming has 14 years of experience in the Department. He loves motorcycles and has spent the past eight years in the Department’s Motorcycle Unit. During his career he has met two Presidents, two Vice Presidents, the Queen of England and Steven Spielberg.

Sgt. Killingsworth has 12 years of experience in the Department, and has been active with the Department’s the Police Athletic League for most of that time, helping to guide the city’s youth and build position relationships in the community.

Sgt. Pullen has been with the Richmond Police for the past 14 years and has spent most of his time in Second Precinct where he rose to the rank of detective, focusing on robberies, burglaries and other property crimes. As a licensed Master Captain, he is also certified to operate yachts, which would explain why he loves to be on the water.

Sgt. Sutton has been with the Department for eight years, and we look forward to his safe return from military leave. Most recently assigned to Second Precinct, Sutton’s defining characteristic, his lieutenant says, is his professionalism. When Sutton is involved with a project, assignment or operation – the result is always, 'Mission Accomplished.' The Marine Corps has the benefit of Sutton's skills and passionate service at this time – but the Department will again be benefitting soon enough.

Sgt. Wilkins brings 22 years of experience at the Department to his new role.  He has worked in First and Fourth Precinct patrol divisions as well as the Downtown Bike Unit and the School Resource Office program among many other assignments. 

Richmond’s Photo Red Light Enforcement Program Begins

WHAT:                       Photo Red Light Enforcement Begins with a 30-Day Warning Period

WHEN:                      10:30 a.m., Monday, December 2, 2013

WHERE:                    Elkhardt & Hull Streets

BACKGROUND:     The Richmond Police Department wants to make the public aware of the photo red light enforcement that will begin Monday, December 2^nd at the intersection of Elkhardt and Hull streets. It will begin with a 30-day warning period. The initiative is designed to increase public safety and reduce the number of red light/speeding-related collisions.

WHY:                         A 2011 study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found fatal crash rates involving red light running were reduced by 24 percent in the 14 largest U.S. cities using safety cameras from 2004-2008.  During that time, 159 lives were saved in those cities because of the cameras, and 815 lives could have been saved had red light cameras been used in every large city in the U.S. during those years. The use of cameras is proven to substantially reduce the number of red light-related /speeding traffic violations, as well as the number of red light /speeding-related collisions and injuries.

More Photos of SunTrust Bank Robbery Suspect

More Photos of SunTrust Bank Robbery Suspect

The Richmond Police Department has released additional photos of the suspect from yesterday's robbery of the SunTrust Bank. The photos show more clearly the face of the suspect. The photos are attached.

Detectives hope the public can help identify the suspect.

Yesterday at approximately 3:36 p.m., a man walked into the bank at 3022 W. Broad St., passed the teller a note demanding money, but did not display a handgun. He left on foot in an unknown direction.

The suspect is approximately six feet tall and weighs 180 pounds. He has a goatee. He is seen wearing a white shirt, grey sweatpants and a black hat with a gold sticker.

Richmond Police Earns CALEA Reaccreditation

The Richmond Police Department received its first Advanced Law Enforcement program reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) on Saturday, Nov. 16.

“CALEA accreditation is a measuring stick that professional law enforcement agencies use to compare themselves to one another and to the expectations that the community has of its police departments and I was proud to appear before the Commission’s panel on Saturday, answer their questions and highlight this great City and the outstanding work that the men and women of the Richmond Police Department perform day in and day out,” Police Chief Ray Tarasovic said.

“CALEA is the gold standard for law enforcement accreditation and we have pledged to maintain CALEA’s professional standards as part of our commitment to public safety in Richmond. Accreditation insures the department has consistent policies, formalizes management practices and provides for accountability through checks and balances at all levels of the agency.”

Chief Tarasovic accepted the award at the international organization’s fall conference in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with the department’s CALEA Manager Daryl Jones, Police Planning Director Brian Cummings, Sgt. Kim Mooney and fellow CALEA team members Shanique Scott and Officers Paul Tuttle and Deadra Swilley.

The Richmond Police Department is one of 26 law enforcement agencies in Virginia to have the prestigious CALEA Law Enforcement Accreditation status and one of only 15 municipal law enforcement agencies to be so recognized.  Along with the Virginia Beach Police Department, Richmond Police is one of the two largest Virginia municipal law enforcement agencies to be CALEA accredited.  The agency was first accredited in 2010.  Reaccreditation occurs every three years.

The Police Department had to demonstrate compliance with close to 500 observable standards to earn reaccreditation. A team of CALEA assessors from around the country visited Richmond for a four-day period just this past July. They conducted interviews with Department personnel, attended a display of the agency’s specialized equipment and vehicles.  They inspected the Department’s facilities and vehicles during their visit.  Both prior to and during the visit, the assessors reviewed Department files to verify standards of compliance.  In addition, the assessors met with the Department’s law enforcement and community partners and attended a public information and comment session at the Richmond Police Academy.

CALEA was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement’s major executive associations - the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriff’s Association, and Police Executives Research Forum.  The Commission was established to develop a set of law enforcement standards, and to establish and administer an accreditation process through which law enforcement agencies could demonstrate voluntarily that they meet professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery.

For more information about CALEA, visit www.calea.org.

SunTrust Bank Robber Sought

SunTrust Bank Robber Sought

The Richmond Police Department needs the public’s help to identify and find the man pictured in the attached surveillance photos who robbed the SunTrust Bank this afternoon.

At approximately 3:36 p.m., a man walked into the bank at 3022 W. Broad St., passed the teller a note demanding money, but did not display a handgun. He left on foot in an unknown direction.

The suspect is approximately six feet tall and weighs 180 pounds. He has a goatee. He is seen wearing a white shirt, grey sweatpants and a black hat with a gold sticker.

Anyone who has any information about the identity of this man is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens may also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Jackson Ward Neighborhood Walk Through

Nov. 21, 2013

Jackson Ward Walk Through

Chief Ray J. Tarasovic and the Department’s Command Staff will join Fourth Precinct Sector 413 Lt. Don Davenport for a walk through Jackson Ward this evening.

Officers will meet at 5 p.m. today in Abner Clay Park, at the intersection of Brook Road and West Clay Street, and spread out through the neighborhood from there.

They will talk with residents about recent trends in crime in the neighborhood, paying particular attention to reducing the opportunities for property crimes. With the holiday season upon us, officers will be asking residents to reduce the occasions when packages are left on porches for extended periods of time. This greatly reduces the chances for theft of these items.

Command Staff members and officers will also talk safety tips and ask what residents would like to see more of from Richmond Police.

The media is encouraged to attend.

To learn more about Sector 413’s neighborhoods, please visit our website and check out Lt. Davenport's monthly newsletters:

http://www.richmondgov.com/Police/Precinct4Sector413.aspx