Craig Green appointed Assistant Chief of Police, other staffing changes.

The City Council and Mayor have appointed Craig Green, formerly lieutenant over the Investigation division, Assistant Chief of Police.   Asst. Chief Green brings twenty years full time law enforcement experience and has worked in various division of the Cullman Police department over his career.   




Newly promoted Lieutenant Gene Bates has assumed the role of Lieutenant in investigation.  Lieutenant Billy Handley, and Sergeant Todd Chiaranda, both recent promotions, have moved to the patrol division from investigation.   Also promoted, Lieutenant Danny Hite, remains aviation officer for the department.    

Assistant Chief leaving after 31 year career

After thirty-one years full time with the Cullman Police Department, Gordon Sandlin is leaving effective April 12, 2011.  During his career, he served in investigation, the tactical unit, and the honor guard.      Asst. Chief Sandlin also served in the US Air Force as a K9 handler.    Though leaving CPD, he will not be leaving Cullman's public safety entirely; rather has accepted the position of Administrative Director of Cullman E-9-1-1.     
 

Digital radio change over complete

Each of the three Cullman county law enforcement agencies received new digital commutation equipment via federal funding, a project that also provided in vehicle laptops and other hardware. Cullman Police Department has become the first to cut-over to the new digital radio system, with the other agencies likely soon to follow. 

In recent years analog cell phones and analog full power TV stations have moved to digital, which is a more efficient use of the limited radio spectrum.   Digital signals can contain more information in less space, and offer full quality and clarity whereas analog may be "staticy" or snowy.    Our radio transition to digital is no different, and allows for meeting and exceeding a federal requirement to more efficiently use two-way radio by January 2013.     

Our digital radios meet an established standard called Project25, used within public safety.  No single radio manufacturer has sole rights to use the technology, thus you are not stuck to a single brand of hardware.    This also helps with interoperability with other agencies.  Our new radios can also still talk to analog systems if we go outside of our system’s area to aid in some type of incident or planned event.  

With regard to radio scanners, only digital scanners that can scan an APCO-25 or Project25 conventional system can decode the digital voice.  At this time no plans exist for other city departments such as public works or fire to move to digital radio, though work is being done to meet the mentioned federal requirement for more efficient radio use—and much of these upgrades are occurring with the re-use of the old analog police radio hardware, saving local tax dollars.   

While many citizens have relied on traditional scanners during bad weather to monitor for announcements from EMA, and local responders, the small investment in a NOAA weather radio from many local retailers is well worth the price.      Additionally, monitoring of the Cullman County Fire Departments,  Cullman City Fire, and the Cullman County Rescue Squad continues to be possible on old analog scanners. 

Police Lieutenant retires after over 26 year career

After twenty-six years full time on the job, plus prior time as a reserve officer, Lt. Marshall Rowe retires effective March 2011.    During his many years working with the Cullman Police Department the majority of his career was spent working in the patrol division, completing his patrol career as a night shift lieutenant supervisor.   He was a member of the TACT team for eleven years, and more recently Lt. Rowe has served as the training coordinator placing him in charge of all training operations for the department with regard to meeting minimum continuing education standards, initial training of new employees, firearms training, and other related administrative tasks.   He has also served as a guest firearms instructor for the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy.   



Lt. Marshall Rowe, left, with patrol officer on the firing range.

Police Department Moves

The Cullman Police Department has officially moved in the new 16,000+ square foot facility located on the former Grief Bros. complex.  The facility is located a few blocks north of Cullman City Hall at 601 2nd AVE NE, Cullman, AL 35055.   Hours of operation are 8AM to 4PM.    The new facility brings many operations back into a unified location, such as the Patrol division, which was formerly housed in west-town.    The public information window (booking and code enforcement), as well as central dispatch, are remaining at Cullman City Hall.

Ribbon cutting ceremony held on December 4, 2009.  

Cullman City vs. Cullman County Blood Drive

The annual Cullman City versus Cullman County blood drive is scheduled for June 24, 2009 from 8:00am to 5:30pm.  The City of Cullman will be using LIfeSouth Blood Centers and Cullman County will be using the American Red Cross.   Buses for the City of Cullman will be located at the City of Cullman's farmers market - Festhalle Market Platz, and in the Cullman Shopping Center.  

All donors for the City of Cullman will receive a free t-shirt, a coupon for a free Domino's Pizza, and will be registered in a drawing for door prizes such as free gas, cash, and gift certificates to local businesses.  

Buses for Cullman County will be located at the Cullman County Courthouse.

Update from CPD Investigation

Please keep aware to keep all doors locked, particularly vehicle doors, even if the vehicle is parked close to your home, such as in a carport, etc.  Recently, a large number of Unauthorized Breaking and Entering of Motor Vehicle reports have been filed in the City of Cullman, most of which have been incidents with unlocked cars.

Do not leave valuable or valuable-looking items in plain sight, even if the doors are locked. 

K-9s Coming Back to Patrol Division  

After several years without K-9s on regular patrol staff at Cullman PD, they will soon be rejoining the force.    Four trained dogs from Lackland Airforce Base in San Antonio, TX, are being transferred to the Cullman Police Department.   These K9s will be utilized on regular patrol in the near future.

Composite of Suspect in recent attack

Please note that this composite has not been linked to any other attacks other than then recent attack on Friday, February 20, 2009.    Any tips are very much appreciated, however please keep information as creditable and pertinent as possible as we are currently receiving a high volume of calls in regard to this case.   Any unusual or suspicious persons should always be reported and are appreciated. 

Online Accident Reports coming January 2009

The Cullman Police Department is currently in the progress of partnering with PoliceReports.Us to provide online availability of Uniform Traffic Accident reports.   The system is currently planned to be online January 2009, with reports available for a $12.50 charge payable online by credit card.   Reports will accessible via this website, www.cullmanpd.com via the planned partnership.    Other Alabama police departments already using this system include Homewood, Tuscaloosa, and Huntsville Police Departments. 

Accident reports are generally available after approximately 3 business days.  All reports will also remain available for paper pick-up at the Police Department records division as well.

Groundbreaking for new Cullman Police Department

Friday, August 8, 2008 a ground breaking ceremony was held at the site of the the Cullman Police Department building.   Located on the 600 block of 2nd AVE NE, the new facility will allow the Cullman Police Department to again reside most of the divisions under one roof.

Renovations are currently slated for one existing structure, and one new building is to be built along side to house the department.   The facility will include offices for administration, investigation, and training divisions, as well as work and preparation areas for the patrol division.  Expanded and updated training facilities will much better accommodate internal department training operations and exercises.

Future expansion on this same property will include other City departments and promote additional multi-department cooperation.