On April 24, 2015, at approximately 10:00 am a bomb threat was called into Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS), located at 105 Lamar Haley Parkway, Canton Ga.

Canton Fire and Police responded and have notified Hasty Elementry and local businesses. They have established a command center and a Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office K-9 is currently searching the building.

Further information will be distributed when available.

Canton Police Implement Cooper Institute Fitness Program

Left to right:  Ofc. Paul Johnston, Ofc. Christian Cruz, Ofc. Mary Turner and Asst. Chief Stephen Merrifield

On Saturday, April 18th 2015, Canton Police Officers participated in the Fallen Officers 5K in Powder Springs Ga. as they prepare for the upcoming departmental fitness evaluation.

The Canton Police Department requires applicants to perform a fitness test prior to being hired. The test consists of a timed obstacle course, where a candidate must run, jump, climb and drag a 160 lbs. dummy. This test is to insure the candidate is fit for service. However, like most agencies, they have not in the past offered programs to maintain a level of health and tested officers to make sure they maintain a fitness level to perform the demanding duties after being hired. As of April, 2015 the Canton Police Dept. is implementing a Cooper Institute fitness program.

The Cooper Institute has worked with fitness programs in law enforcement, public safety and military since 1976. Part of the Cooper Institute’s mission is to help shape and influence fitness programs throughout the nation.

The department will introduce a Cooper Institute recommended fitness assessment that consists of:

1. 1.5 Mile Run
2. 1 Minute Timed Sit Ups
3. 1 Minute Timed Push Ups
4. Flexibility (sit and reach)
5. Body Composition

Officers will also receive a stress and nutrition management course taught by a certified health and wellness instructor.

By implementing a physical fitness program, the Canton Police Department will promote responsibility among its officers to take control of their own health. This responsibility is positive, as law enforcement officers are held to a higher standard which allows them to provide an example to others. Being in excellent mental and physical condition not only helps the officer personally, but can affect the lives of the constituents of Canton and those they serve.

Chief Mark Mitchell stated “The goal of our new Wellness Program is to strengthen the health of our Officers both mentally and physically. We feel this will not only benefit the individual and agency but also will provide a more professional fit Officer to serve our community. This new program is a "work in progress" and will be introduced to help our employees assess their fitness level and provide helpful ways to improve their mental health, physical health, nutrition and reduce stress levels to meet the demands of this most noble of professions.”

Boat Sinks

On Friday, April 10, 2015, at approximately 8:00 pm, Officers responded to the Hickory Log Creek Reservoir in reference to a person having boat problems. Officers arrived on scene and found the boat owner sitting on the boat ramp. The boat owner stated the boat began to take on water and swam to shore.

The following day the boat was discovered approximately 20 yards off shore by a Canton Fire Diver and a Cobb County Marietta Water Authority Diver. The divers attached a cable onto the sunken boat and it was pulled out by Mauldin’s Wrecker Service.

The boat owner (22 yrs. old of Ball Ground Ga) was cited for:

1. Operating boat without sufficient PFD's
2. Operating boat without required equipment 52-7-4 (2)
3. Disobeying posted notice-Operating boat with gas motor 38-42
4. Disobeying posted notice-Not paying ramp access fee 38-42
5. Disobeying posted notice-Being in park after hours 38-42
6. Operating unregistered vehicle without current plate 40-2-8

Fatality Accident Investigation

On Wednesday April 1, 2015 just after 9:30 pm., the Police Department responded to the report of a single vehicle accident on Marietta Hwy. at the corner of Westview Street. Upon arrival, Officers discovered the driver of a silver four (4) door vehicle was deceased as it initially appears the vehicle ran off the roadway down an embankment. Traffic accident investigators were called to the scene and are currently investigating the crash to determine the exact cause and contributing factors of the vehicle fatality.

The driver has been identified as a Mr. Michael Lee Greene age: 63 of Woodstock, Ga. Further information in regard to the crash investigation may be released when available.