Public Safety

Bainbridge Public Safety sent officers to Alma, Georgia yesterday to assist in hurricane recovery efforts there. Chief Investigator Mark Esquivel, Investigator Josh Glover, Investigator Gaston Corson and PSO 3/ K9 Officer Chris Moore spent the day assisting local residents with tree and limb removal, clearing roadways and providing much needed aid. Often, in times of natural disasters such as Hurricane Helene, our officers extend support to those in need beyond our area.

On Friday, September 6th, after school released, a verbal threat was made against Bainbridge High School. Decatur County School Police investigated throughout the weekend and arrested a juvenile who was taken into custody PRIOR to school on Monday, September 9th. Despite rumors, there were no firearms found at Bainbridge High School or any schools associated with this threat. On Thursday, September 12th, threats were made on social media in reference to Homecoming events being held on Saturday, September 14th in Bainbridge, Georgia. A juvenile has been arrested and is in custody. On Thursday, September 12th, a separate threat was made against Bainbridge Middle School. A different juvenile has been arrested for this incident and is also in custody. Decatur County School Police, Bainbridge Public Safety, Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Department of Juvenile Justice along with many other local and state agencies have assisted in making these arrest. Investigations continue on previous threats made to Decatur County Schools on Monday, September 9th and Spring Creek Charter Academy on Thursday, September 12th. Our county, along with surrounding counties, have ongoing investigations to determine the source(s) of these social media posts.

ENTERING AUTO SUSPECTS ARRESTED On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, Bainbridge Public Safety was notified about numerous entering autos in the apartments located in the areas of Hubert Dollar Drive, Old Quincy Road, and Avenue A. After an investigation five juveniles have been arrested and charged with several counts of entering auto. Most of the vehicle entries were not reported, and some stolen property was recovered with no victims to return these items too. Please contact Investigator Glover to claim any missing property. If you failed to make a report, please notify officers so these cases can be documented. “People should not have to lock their vehicles to keep their property safe, but times are different now.” Investigators urge citizens to remove all firearms, keep valuables out of sight, and to lock vehicles when not in use.

Dogs have been used in law enforcement since the middle ages. A police dog, (a.k.a. K9), is a dog specifically trained to assist members of law enforcement to help protect their communities and neighborhoods. Meet K9's Kenzo and Dolph, with their handlers Officer Spence and Officer Moore, who work with officers at Bainbridge Public Safety.

Bainbridge Public Safety would like to congratulate Investigators Joshua Glover and Gaston Corson who recently completed Level 1 Active Shooter Instructor Training and Captain Ryan Wimberley and Chief Investigator Mark Esquivel who recently completed Active Attack Integrated Response Instructor Training (AAIR). Both courses are taught through the national ALERRT program The ALERRT Center at Texas State University was created in 2002 to address the need for active shooter response training for first responders. Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) was adopted by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) as the national standard for active shooter response in 2017. Corson and Glover will now be assisting Wimberley and Esquivel in teaching the Level 1 course which is designed to prepare the first responder to isolate, distract, and neutralize an active shooter. Wimberley and Esquivel will now begin implementing the Active Attack Integrated Response concept into the Level 1 courses and coordinating with other local first responders to conduct this training. AAIR is designed to improve integration between law enforcement, fire, tele-communicator, and emergency medical services (EMS) in active attack / shooter events. In addition to these courses, Captain Wimberley and Investigator Glover are also certified to teach Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events and look forward to requests from the public to present strategies and guidance in surviving active shooter events.

Due to a train accident the following roads will be closed for the next several hours. Please be careful when looking for new routes...Mlk, Sims St. Independent St and Albany Rd by Stones.

K9 DOLPH FROM THE BAINBRIDGE PUBLIC SAFETY SEEKS COMMUNITY HEROES! The Bainbridge Public Safety collaborates with non-profit 30X30 Fundraising to fund a bullet-resistant vest for K9 Dolph. Bainbridge, GA: The Bainbridge Public Safety and the Non-Profit 30x30 Fundraising are teaming up to provide a bullet-resistant vest for K9 Dolph, a vital law enforcement team member. Law enforcement departments often turn to nonprofits for K-9 equipment. 30x30 Fundraising is now raising community funds for K9 Dolph's vest, and they're reaching out to community heroes to help donate to fund the vest. The vest costs $3,653, and the matching leash is $130 for the department. The Bainbridge Public Safety using nonprofit 30x30 Fundraising to campaign for a vest will benefit donors by receiving $283 in savings. The total funds needed for K9 Dolph's vest with leash is $3,500. Nonprofits are how most departments receive K-9 Kevlar vests: K9 Dolph's daily responsibilities include pursuing the most violent offenders, taking narcotics off the streets, article searches, area searches, and building searches. The bullet-resistant vest provides K9 Dolph protection against stabbings, shrapnel, impalement, and handgun bullets. Fundraising is continuous to ensure K9 Dolph receives a vest. BPS contact info: Chief Redell Walton Bainbridge Public Safety, GA 510 E Louise Street * Bainbridge, GA 39819 redellw@bainbridgecity.com K9 Dolph's handler: PSO I Chris Moore: christopher.moore@bainbridgecity.com Phone: 229.248-2038 To Donate: https://bit.ly/DonateToK9Dolph Donating to K9 Dolph's vest is 100% fee-free! If the campaign donations continue, the surplus funds will go toward another K9 needing funding. 30X30 FUNDRAISING More about 30x30 Fundraising: Phone: 360-920-9638 Email: 30x30Fundraising@gmail.com Website: 30x30Fundraising.com IRS Approved Non-Profit 501(C)(3) Organization Facebook: 30x30Fundraising or https://www.facebook.com/30x30Fundraising/ X: 30x30Fundraise or https://twitter.com/30x30Fundraise Instagram: 30x30Fundraising or https://www.instagram.com/30x30fundraising/ YouTube: 30x30Fundraising or https://www.youtube.com/@30x30Fundraising Website: www.30x30Fundraising.com Checks can be sent here: 30x30 Fundraising 635 Clark Rd Exec Suite Bellingham, WA 98225 (Please put in notation: For K9 Dolph) EIN: 93-3828532 UBI: 605 348 230 At 30x30 Fundraising, we support K9 units with safety gear, training equipment, training courses, and nonprofits in their communities. Since 2015, when we began as "Keeping K-9s in Kevlar," we have actively listened to handlers' needs. The nonprofit501(c)(3) named 30x30 Fundraising" came about in response to the growing list of requests that "Keeping K-9s in Kevlar" alone could not fulfill. We are dedicated to fostering productive relationships within the community and with law enforcement agencies to impact all our endeavors positively.

Today, May 15, is recognized as Peace Officers Memorial Day. Let's honor and remember the courageous men and women who have sacrificed for our safety and peace. Bainbridge Public Safety was on hand this morning at the Decatur County Sheriff's Department to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Did you know that there is an app for that? With our new app, you can access documents, events, news updates, and get push notifications just like this one that was sent yesterday. Download for Android https://bit.ly/48qxcqY Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3NwDHAs

We know all of our BPS staff are heroes, but we are proud of Investigator Josh Glover for being featured in The Post Searchlight's Heroes 2024 issue. Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/mrakf774

Join us for an exciting Touch-A-Truck event as we wrap up our celebration of Georgia Cities Week!! Get up close and personal with all sorts of vehicles, from fire trucks to construction rigs. Bring the whole family for a morning of exploration, fun and honking horns!

Meet the newest member of our team! Engine 1 Congratulations to Bainbridge Public Safety on the delivery of your new Pierce Mfg Saber #pumper, loaded and equipped with: - Chassis: Saber 7010 - Engine: Cummins Inc L9, 450 hp - 19" Extended Front Bumper - Seating for Six - HAAS Collision Mitigation - Provision DVR HD Camera System Task Force Tips Electric Extend-a-Gun and Remote Controlled Deck Gun - Tank: 1000 Gallons - Top Mount Pump Panel with Speedlays - Waterous Company CSU, 1500 GPM Pump - Husky 3 Foam System

Bainbridge Public Safety would like to request the public's assistance in identifying the male in the picture below. If you know this person and wish to be help, please call (229) 248-2038.

These sweet girls brought some sweet treats to the station today and had a little fun touring around as well!

Members of the Bainbridge Service Club delivered trays of homemade cookies for our officers in appreciation of their service to the community. Thank you!

The Office of Professional Standards & Training is managed by Captain Ryan Wimberley, who has been employed with Bainbridge Public Safety since April of 1996.

We welcome compliments and encourage the filing of legitimate complaints of misconduct or poor performance against the agency or its employees. However, investigation of complaints and prosecution of criminal cases are two separate matters. If a person arrested by a BPS officers files a citizen's complaint against the arresting officer, then such action will not affect the prosecution of the criminal case. Complaints, concerning guilt or innocence will only be decided by the court.

Anyone interested in applying for a position with Bainbridge Public Safety must fill out the online application at the link below. https://www.publicsafetyapp.com/Entry-Level-Bainbridge-Public-Safety-GA-Police-Officer-Jobs/1713/

The Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner and his Public Education Division work closely with different organizations throughout the state of Georgia providing fire safety training and education. Saving lives through educating our Georgia citizens is a driving force for the Commissioner. In working with the caregiver industry, the Commissioner's office has over 531 certified Caregiver Fire Safety Instructors who can teach caregiver professionals the fire safety training needed as required by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. A 5-hour initial course and a 2-hour refresher course are specific training required for all caregiver professionals. Since 2000 there have been thousands of caregiver staff certified in fire safety training.