Author: Dave Schwab

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24th Annual K9 Seminar Video

The Dothan Police Department K9 Unit wrapped up the 24th Annual K9 Seminar on Friday, February 7, 2020.

This annual seminar is intended to provide K9 teams from all over the country with an opportunity to do real world scenario-based training in a controlled and safe environment.

The seminar provides these guys a week of quality K9 training that allows these teams an opportunity to fix any issues they may have and make themselves better according to Sgt. William Wozniak, K9 trainer.

Teams from around the United States participated including New Jersey, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Indiana and North Carolina.

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Discussion on plans for animal shelter

A group of city leaders met with private partners today to discuss plans for replacing the city’s aging animal shelter. Discussions centered on projects ranging from a website for increased transparency to reviewing several possible locations for the new facility.

“We really just wanted to make sure the public was aware that this project is being undertaken in earnest,” said Steve Parrish, Dothan’s Chief of Police. “We have a long way to go, and these meetings are a key part of making sure we’ve got everything in place to make the project a success.”

Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba, District 5 Commissioner Beth Kenward and City Manager Kevin Cowper were also in attendance at the meeting.

The current animal shelter is not adequate for the city’s needs and has been found to be in need of replacement. The goal is to build a new shelter that provides not only a clean, inviting atmosphere for its visitors, but also is a safe, healthy place for strays to be kept until they can be adopted.

City officials discuss plans for new animal shelter
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Police promotion ceremony held at Opera House

The Dothan Police Department held a promotion ceremony recognizing ten members’ promotions to various ranks. Following recent promotions and retirements, the department has promoted the following personnel as they appear in the photo from left to right:

  • Captain William Glover
  • Captain Scott Long
  • Lieutenant Scott Owens
  • Lieutenant Christopher Watson
  • Sergeant Peter Markow
  • Sergeant Sean Morgan
  • Corporal Keith Cook
  • Corporal Blake McCallister
  • Corporal Erik Broten
  • Corporal Caleb Gilmore

Please join us in congratulating these officers on this outstanding achievement!

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Local deaf community recognizes officer

On Saturday, September 28, 2019, members of our local deaf community presented our own Lieutenant Rachel David with an appreciation award. The presentation was made at the Deaf Awareness Picnic held at Eastgate Park in conjunction with Deaf Awareness Month. The event was attended by approximately 100 people.

Ms. Gwen, a member of Dothan’s deaf community, cited Lt. David’s passionate involvement in helping bridge communication barriers faced by the deaf when dealing with law enforcement. Lt. David’s commitment in attending American Sign Language classes offered at the Dothan, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) was recognized.

Ms. Gwen pointed out that Lt. David regularly helps members of the deaf community even when she is off duty.

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Enhanced Foster Fest Security

The Dothan Police Department and the Dothan Downtown Redevelopment Authority (DDRA) met on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 to discuss several issues related to last Friday night’s Foster Fest event.

Dothan Police arrested nine individuals for fighting, seven of whom were juveniles. Police and DDRA official are committed to making this a safe event for all residents and visitors to enjoy. Immediate steps are being taken to prevent disorderly activity in the future.

City officials will assign more police officers to work the event as well as increasing safety measures such as video surveillance, undercover police officers and increased security lighting.

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Crash causes power outage

A vehicle crash In the 1000 block of John D. Odom Road has caused a power outage. Please use caution if you are driving in the area as police, fire, medical and utilities units are on scene.

If you are without power please be careful if you were using any appliances (especially your stove) when the power failed. Be sure and turn off any appliances that may have been operating when the power failed.

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Auburn police officer shooting

UPDATE @ 10:13pm: The suspect is no longer a threat at this time.

We are continuing to monitor the events in Auburn, Alabama a short time ago. An Auburn Police Officer was shot and critically injured after effecting a traffic stop involving a robbery suspect.

The suspect has been identified as 38-year-old white male Christopher James Wallace. He may be in the company of an unknown white female. He may be wearing or in possession of a camo hoodie sweatshirt.

The vehicle is a silver Jeep Liberty bearing a Barbour County, Alabama tag 6AB5267.

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. If you see the vehicle or suspect please call 911.

At the time of this post, we do not believe the suspect is in the Dothan area, but if you have any family or friends near Auburn please make them aware of this potentially dangerous situation.

Thankfully the officer who was shot is in stable condition and expected to make a recovery.

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Threat to school received in 911 call

We are asking for assistance from the community in identifying the caller who’s voice was recorded when contacting the Communications Center today.

At approximately 12:45 PM we received a 911 call from an anonymous female who stated that she was at school and “someone said they were going to shoot the school up.” The caller disconnected before providing any additional information.

Additional police officers were sent to Dothan High School as a precaution because it appears the call originated from that area. School administrators also placed the school on “soft lockdown.”

This could possibly have been a prank phone call but our resources were deployed anyway. We need your help identifying the person in this recording. If you think you know who it is, please call the Dothan Police Department at 793-0215.

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