Police Department Builds an Active Resistance Laboratory

The Police Department recently completed construction of a multi-purpose Active Resistance Laboratory, which is located behind the City Public Works facility off Ridge Road. Agency instructors, along with Public Works Department personnel, worked together to format and build the wooden structure, which will now serve as a live scenario-based training location for the department’s Officers throughout the year.

Earlier this year, instructors attended an intense State Active Resistance course, which helped spark the idea for the agency to build its own Laboratory where Officers can train close to home and develop their skill-sets in dealing with critical force incidents. Agency instructors will use the new structure to create different mock sites (residences, businesses, etc.) for Officers to respond to and address the given Active Resistance situation.

The department’s goal for the new initiative is to continue to hone Officer’s knowledge as it relates to the following:


1. Reasonable application for Active Resistance;

2. Situational de-escalation techniques through live scenarios;

3. Legal aspects and guidelines for the use of force when faced with Active Resistance;

4. Teach skill building / transition drills to personnel on use of force and non-deadly force;

5. Instruct Officers on the latest Supreme Court decisions as to “When is Force Reasonable.”

6. Get Officers out of the classroom and into realistic training drills and scenarios;


Chief of Police Mark J. Mitchell added, “We are excited to get this new and very important training course underway. I strongly believe the Active Resistance Laboratory will give our Officers the vital instruction, confidence, experience and knowledge needed when dealing with Active Resistance situations. Classroom instruction is important but live scenario-based training is key to building skill-sets in our personnel and the "know how" to help them as they make split second decisions that inherently come with many Active Resistance encounters. This multi-use structure was simple and very cost effective to build but is so very important to have in our back yard because of the many training benefits it will have for our Officers, organization and community we serve, engage with and protect each day.”

The department will begin using the facility for training in the coming months.


See pics below....

Coffee with a Cop

The Police Department’s next Coffee with a Cop community event will be held on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, from 8:00 -10:00 am., at Cup Up Coffee in downtown Canton (210 E. Main Street, Canton, GA.) 

This on-going outreach allows Officers and citizens to connect, engage, problem solve and build important trusting relationships which are vital to improving the quality of life for everyone in the community.

Canton Police Recruitment Program

On Tuesday, July 31, 2018, from 3:00 – 5:00 pm., the Police Department is hosting a Recruitment Job Fair on the 3rd floor of Canton City Hall located at 151 Elizabeth Street, Canton, GA.

The agency is looking for candidates to become certified or persons who are already certified Peace Officers. Those who possess a mindset of community, an attitude of service and a heart of protection need apply to serve alongside a dedicated group of professional men and women who make-up one of the rising Law Enforcement organizations in our state.

Why attend the program you ask? Because we will show you we offer very competitive pay, benefits, educational incentives, experience pay, specialized certification incentives, a myriad of training opportunities, career development guidance, latest in law enforcement technology and an assigned vehicle program (Chevrolet Tahoe / Chevrolet Silverado). In addition, Officers are issued back-up weapons, patrol rifles, Body Worn Cameras and the latest in high performance uniform wear and equipment.

Furthermore, the department offers a mentorship program for new Officers, Wellness (physical / mental) program for sworn personnel, strong community involvement, coaching, mentoring, support, care, recognition for a job well done, communication throughout the agency, a true spirt of teamwork and a genuine investment in our most valued resource, our employees!

There are many other reasons to attend the recruitment fair, so if you want to join a motivated and professional team, go ahead, make the choice and we hope to see you on July 31st. If you have any questions before the event, please contact Professional Standards Sergeant Scott Hoffman at 770-720-4883 and / or via his e-mail at scott.hoffman@cantonga.gov for further details.

Become part of a team that strives each day to make a noble difference with those we serve!!




   

Swearing-in Ceremony

Canton Police held a swearing-in ceremony for it's newest Officer, Matthew Naliwajka. Officer Naliwajka was sworn into the department by Judge Darrell Caudill on Friday, June 29, 2018, at Canton City Hall.  Family, friends and other members of the Canton Police force were in attendance to show their support. Officer Nalwajka is a recent graduate of GPSTC - Cherokee Law Enforcement Academy.

Coffee with a Cop

The Police Department’s next Coffee with a Cop community event will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2018 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm., at the Starbucks located at 1353 Riverstone Parkway #110, Canton, GA. This on-going outreach allows Officers and citizens to connect, engage, problem solve and build important trusting relationships which are vital to improving the quality of life for everyone in the community.

Coffee with a Cop is one of the most important monthly activities the department is involved in. The "Coffee with a Cop" program is essential for our department to continue connecting with the citizens we serve. We would like to thank Starbucks and their management team for inviting our department to be a part of such an important community event.

Verizon Armed Robbery

Verizon Armed Robbery- Update
3:45 pm. 6/13/2018

Canton Detectives are asking for the public's help in identifying and locating the suspect who committed an armed robbery at Verizon today. Detectives are also seeking to locate the suspect's vehicle believed to possibly be a 2016 - 2018 Nissan Sentra silver in color. Please see the attached videos.

Not Actual Vehicle

If you have any information relating to this case, please call the Canton Police Department 770-720-4883 or email jeff.trifilo@cantonga.gov or call 911.



Previous Press Release 1243 hrs. 6/13/2018

On Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at approximately 10:30 am Canton Officers, and surrounding agencies responded to an armed robbery that occurred at Verizon (3753 Marietta Hwy, Canton GA 30114).

A black male armed with a handgun entered the business, forced a female employee working alone into the back room and bound her hands and feet.

The suspect fled the scene with an undetermined amount of cell phones.  The employee managed to escape and call 911 and did not report any sustained injuries.

The initial description of the suspect:
Black male, possibly late 20's with a slim build
Pink bandana covering his face
Sunglasses
Black Hat
White gym shorts

Canton and Cherokee County Detectives are actively investigating the case and will be reviewing surveillance video from the business.  More details on the suspect and how he fled the area will be given when available.

Officers Locate Drugs and Recover Stolen Gun

On Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at 1657 hrs., Officers were dispatched to a fight in progress with a handgun involved at the McDonalds located at 3240 Ridge Rd.  As responding Officers arrived, the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office was on scene working to discover what occurred and directed units to who was reportedly involved in the incident.  Officers made contact with a young female who earlier fled the scene and locked herself in the restroom of a gas station across the street from the incident location.  After speaking with her, Officers located what was determined to be a stolen firearm and an amount of suspected Marijuana that appeared to be packaged for distribution. 

During the initial investigation, a responding Officer previously made contact with a male who was reportedly involved in the altercation, identified him and did not have enough at that time to detain him at the scene.  However, the female who was located with the stolen firearm and narcotics advised Officers, the male had given the items to her and asked her to get rid of them before she fled the area.  At that time, Officers made contact with the individual who returned as a passenger in a vehicle.  He was detained and transported to the Police Department (PD) for further questioning by a Criminal Investigation Detective.  The female was taken into custody and also transported to speak to a Detective.

After interviews were completed, both individuals were charged and transported to the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Adult Detention Center.  Before arriving at the jail, the male previously hid several scheduled narcotic pills and carried them across the Detention Center “Guard line,” which resulted in further felony drug charges.   

Chief of Police Mark J. Mitchell added, “We are very happy no one was hurt during the initial altercation.  I commend our hardworking Officers and Detectives for their efforts to bring this case to a safe and successful resolution.  I also want to thank the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office for their quick response and assistance, which was vital to the initial investigation of this incident. 

Suspect:
Tyrell Maleek Corley age: 21 of Canton, Ga.
Charges:
VGCSA Possession with Intent to Distribute a Synthetic Narcotic
VGCSA Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
Theft by Receiving Stolen Property
Tampering with Evidence
Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony 
Crossing the Guard line with Narcotics

Suspect:
Savannah Leann Howell age: 17 of Canton, Ga.
Charges:
Reckless Conduct
Tampering with Evidence