There have been some outstanding accomplishments within the department recently and we would like to highlight a few achievements. The collective efforts of our committed team have led to various successful projects, including traffic enforcement, internal trainings, and operations conducted within the city.
According to the most recent WPD Traffic & Crash Analysis report, the number of accidents have significantly decreased. Between December 2023 and January 2024, the amount of reported crashes went down from 94 to 59, indicating a notable 37.2% reduction in vehicle accidents. This is a huge development considering the inclement weather in the month of January. This positive trend not only contributes to a safer road environment but also can be attributed to the proactive measures taken by our WPD officers at targeted intersections, 462 traffic stops and 21 DUIs.
The Drug Task Force operation completed last week resulted in the confiscation of large amounts of illicit substances and cash. Additionally, there were nine arrests made and we have five outstanding warrants to be rounded up next week. The operation’s success can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of both the WPD and surrounding areas. Our Drug Task Force is to be commended on their dedication and exceptional efforts to create a safer community for the City of Winchester.
Our Criminal Investigations Division has had some major case updates, thanks to our hardworking detectives. Some of these updates include executed search warrants, completions of polygraphs, interviews conducted, and closing multiple ICAC cases. All CID staff members and patrol officers also attended a Defensive Tactics training instructed by Sergeant Niang.
We would also like to recognize the following officers for their recent completion of a 40-hour training for the newly established WPD Forensic Unit. We would like to offer special recognition to Detective Jon Dixon for his dedication and hard work to produce a robust training plan for the Forensic Unit. From left to right, we commend Officers Ramos, Ferraro, Warfield, Carranza, Dixon (Detective), Hernandez, and Gilcrest.
We express our gratitude to each and every one of you for your ongoing dedication to the team. Thank you to all WPD and ECC employees for their contribution to the success of the department and impact in the community! As we reflect on these incredible accomplishments, WPD looks forward to continuing to make a difference in our community and building upon our success.