Killeen, Texas, October 14-17, 2019―A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), will arrive Monday, October 14, 2019, to examine all aspects of the Killeen Police Department’s administration, personnel, operations, and support services, Chief Charles Kimble announced today.

Verification by the team that Killeen Police Department meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain reaccreditation, a highly prized recognition of public safety gold standard of professional excellence.  The Killeen Police Department is currently certified with an Advanced CALEA accreditation; the department went through its initial assessment in December 2009.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. The session will be conducted in the City Hall Council Chambers, at 101 N College St., Killeen, Texas.

If for some reason an individual cannot speak at the public information session, however, would still like to provide comments directly to the assessment team, he or she may do so by telephone.  The public may call (254) 501-8970, an unrecorded dedicated line, on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards.  A copy of the standards is available for review by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA).  Local contact is Chief of Staff, Commander Ronnie Supak at (254) 501-8858.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Killeen Police Department’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA®), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155.

The CALEA program manager for the Killeen Police Department is Mr. Randy Scott.  The assessment team is composed of public safety practitioners from similar, but out-of-state agencies.  The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and other locations where compliance can be witnessed.

The assessors are Mr. John Foster of Chesterfield Missouri, retired Captain from the Florissant, Missouri Police Department and Commander Benjamin Kadolph of the Oak Brook Police Department, Illinois.

Once the CALEA Assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be reaccredited.

Accreditation is for four years, during which the agency must prove continued compliance via remote inspections annually with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., please write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia  20155; or call (800) 368-3757 or (703) 352-4225 or email calea@calea.org.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

On Friday, September 27, 2019, the Killeen Police Department received numerous inquiries about a news story inferring that a former police officer pleaded guilty to a charge resulting in the death of James Scott Reed during the service of a search warrant.

On June 5, 2019, former Killeen Police Officer Anthony Custance was indicted by The Bell County Grand Jury for Tampering with Evidence; today he pleaded guilty to that charge.

Contrary to media reports, Anthony Custance was not indicted for the death of Mr. Reed.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

On Tuesday, September 24, 2019, the Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit assisted the BNSF Rail Road Police with enforcing Texas Transportation Code laws near the intersection of SH 195 and the railroad tracks.

During the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., the following violations occurred in the officer’s presence:

• 33 citations were issued for Stopping, Standing, or Parking Prohibited in Certain Places
• 3 citations were issued for Ran Red Light
• 2 citations were issued for Disregard Rail Road Signals
• 2 citations were issued for No Front License Plate
• 2 citations were issued for Fail to Maintain Financial Responsibility (no insurance)
• 2 citations were issued for Failed to Yield Right of Way – Emergency Vehicle
• 1 citation was issued for No Seatbelt
• 1 citation was issued for No Mud Flaps When Required
• 1 citation was issued for Illegal Tint on Front Windshield
• 1 citation was issued for Prohibited Lights to Front
• 1 citation was issued for Drove over Barricade
• 1 citation was issued for Obscured License Plate

A total of 50 citations were issued for various violations and 6 warning citations were issued for other miscellaneous violations.

Texas law requires motorists to stop no closer than 15 feet or farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail if; a clearly visible signal, a crossing gate or barrier is lowered, or flagger warns of the approach of a train.  Motorists must also stop if the warning barriers are being lowered, are already down  or  are  being  opened, and  must  remain  stopped until  the  barriers  are  fully opened.

We’d like to remind motorists to think about safety when they approach a railroad crossing. People should “LOOK, LISTEN and LIVE!”

Trespassing is being on railroad property or around train tracks without the railroads’ permission.  Pedestrians should “STAY OFF, STAY AWAY and STAY ALIVE!”

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

On Sunday, September 22, 2019, at approximately 4:26 a.m., Killeen Police were dispatched to the Whataburger Restaurant located at 2509 Trimmier Road in reference to an armed subject.  Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a Silver Hyundai Accent with two occupants in the drive thru obstructing traffic.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the Hyundai displayed a weapon after witnesses attempted to wake up the driver.  Officers’ attempted to contact the occupants of the vehicle and they failed to comply.  The Tactical Response Unit was deployed to the scene and several commands were made to wake up the driver.  The vehicle slowly rolled northbound and hit a curb coming to a stop.  Both male occupants exited the vehicle and were taken into custody without incident.  They were transported to the Killeen City Jail.

No injuries were reported.

This case continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

On Monday, June 3, 2019, at approximately 10:39 p.m., Killeen Police were dispatched to the Days Inn located at 1602 E. Central Texas Expressway in reference to a female that was unconscious and not breathing.  Officers’ immediately started to perform life saving measures until paramedics arrived.  The victim, 32 year-old Chelsea Lynell Cheatham was pronounced deceased at 11:35 p.m. by Justice of the Peace Daryl Peters.  He ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

At the time of the incident it was unknown if her death was by natural causes and an investigation was initiated.  Detectives with the Homicide Unit recently received the results of the autopsy and it was determined the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Homicide Unit are asking anyone who may have seen anything or has information about this Homicide, to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  You can also download the P3Tips App for IOS or Android and give an anonymous tip.  All information is confidential and anonymous and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person(s) responsible, you could be eligible to receive a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department