Public Indecency Arrest

At approximately 8:00 pm. on Wednesday, January 16, 2019, the Police Department received a tip in reference to the possible identification of the male depicted in the earlier released information regarding a Public Indecency incident which occurred at the Canton Walmart (1550 Riverstone Pkwy.) on Monday, January 7, 2019.  A Canton Supervisor responded to further investigate the incident. Subsequently, a Mr. Demarcus Woods age: 22 of Canton, Ga. was taken into custody in Ball Ground and charged with one count of Public Indecency (§ 16-6-8 - Public indecency).  We would like to thank members of our community for taking the time to share our social media post which lead to identifying the suspect.

Canton Police to Hold Second Facebook Live Town Hall Meeting

Last month, we held our first FB Live Town Hall Meeting, which turned out to be a very successful and engaging event with our community.  You are officially invited to join us for our second FB Live program tomorrow evening (January 15, 2019) beginning at 7:00 pm. 
 
We will be discussing our 2018 Crime Statistics, our Annual Recruitment Plan, 2019 Goals and Objectives, giving an update on the New P.D., upcoming Community Events and answering questions sent to us by our citizens.   

Link to the FB Live social media post: ttps://www.facebook.com/CantonGeorgiaPD/photos/a.439869496075750/2140557326006950/?type=3&theater

Thank you for your partnership, trust, and support. 

Mark J. Mitchell, Chief of Police

Officers arrest suspect with citizen’s help

On Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at approximately 4:35 am., Officers were dispatched to the report of a suspicious person at the Ameris Bank located at 1275 Riverstone Parkway. As units responded, dispatch advised the caller relayed she could see from her residence what appeared to be an individual attempting to make forcible entry into the bank ATM. As Officers arrived on the scene, a male wearing a black jacket and yellow face mask suddenly dropped a green fence-post and took off running toward the rear of the parking lot. Officers immediately began searching the area where the suspect was last seen and eventually located the person hiding in the bushes near the rear of the bank and took him into custody without further incident.

The perpetrator was charged with a number of felony crimes regarding this incident and also accused of an additional burglary from where he attempted to break into a self-pay kiosk located at the Wash Factory Express car wash next to the bank earlier that morning.

Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, “I am proud of the alert and quick work of our Officers and for the partnership, we have with citizens in our community who are willing to get involved to help stop criminal activity. This excellent example of Law Enforcement and the Community working together allowed us to apprehend the male before he got away to potentially be involved in further criminal acts. Taking this perpetrator off the streets in our City goes a long way toward improving our Quality of Life.”

Suspect:
Forrest Andrew Leach - age: 55 of Acworth, Ga.

Charges:
Criminal Damage to Property (Second Degree) – 2cts. (F);
Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime (F);
Obstruction of an Officer (M);

CPD Supervisors receive FBI Trilogy Award

In 2018, Uniform Patrol Cpl. Tyler McClure and Cpl. Jose Souto attended the FBI - Law Enforcement Executive Development Association’s (LEEDA) Supervisor Leadership Institute, Command Leadership Institute, and Executive Leadership Institute programs. 

During the course of their studies, Cpl. McClure and Cpl. Souto engaged in topics to include personality diagnostics, leadership case studies, mentoring, developing your people, performance management, risk management, and credibility.  In addition, they were involved in such areas as command discipline and liability, dealing with problem employees and leading change within an organization.  Furthermore, both Corporals engaged in other studies such as generational leadership, paradigms and change objectives, power and influence, transactional and transformational leadership and the future of law enforcement.

Cpl. McClure and Cpl. Souto recently completed this intense program and was awarded the FBI - LEEDA Trilogy Award and was recognized for this very important accomplishment during last night’s City Council Meeting.   

Police Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, “I am extremely proud of these supervisors for their hard work and the commitment they dedicated into finishing such a very important training program.  All of our employees are vital to the success of this organization, so we must invest in their career development, which not only improves their skill sets but also continues to develop our department into a premier professional agency that supports our employees and the community we serve.” 

Cpl. Jose Souto   

Cpl. Tyler McClure

New Officer to Serve the Community

Canton Police held a swearing-in ceremony for it's newest Officer, John Van Kints. He was sworn into the department by Judge Darrell Caudill on Friday, December 21, 2018, at the Canton Municipal Court Facility. Family, friends and other members of the Canton Police staff were in attendance to show their support. The newest addition to the department is a recent graduate of GPSTC - Pickens Law Enforcement Academy.

How Did It Get Stolen?

The Canton Police Department (CPD) is well aware most incidents of property damage, theft from sheds/garages, theft from vehicles, bicycles thefts and other property crime happen overnight under the cover of darkness.

In many cases, vehicles, sheds, and garages are left unlocked by the owners. Suspects try doors until they find one unlocked and then look through the vehicle, shed or garage to take any valuables they locate as a quick crime of opportunity.

On Wednesday, December 5, 2018, the CPD will begin the “It’s 9 O’clock - LOCK IT UP” campaign. At 9 pm each night, a message will go out on the Police Department’s Instagram and Facebook accounts reminding all our followers that “It’s 9 O’clock – LOCK IT UP”. When you get the message, it is a perfect time to ensure your shed and garage doors are locked and to click that automatic door lock on your vehicles. Check to make sure your bikes are locked in the garage, shed, or are padlocked to an immovable object. Also, look around your yard and see if there is anything there that a thief may want.

If you LOCK IT UP there is a much better chance it will not be stolen.

We strongly believe this initiative is another excellent avenue to continue to improve our communication, partnership and trust with those we serve. As always, thank you for your support as we all work together to continue to improve the Quality of Life in our great city.

Attitude of Service, Mindset of Community and Heart of Protection!

Canton Police Hosting "Shop with a Cop"

The Canton Police Department would like to announce it will be hosting its annual “Shop with a Cop” on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at 5:45 pm. and is currently accepting applications and referrals from local schools. This annual event will take place at the Target store, located at 2022 Cumming Hwy, Canton, GA. 

Canton Officers and Police Explorers will be giving gifts to children who would not ordinarily be receiving much if anything this year. Officers will be helping approximately 20 families in need this Christmas season. The Police Department has received donations from local business and organizations to help support this cause and Officers were able to participate in "No Shave and Paint your Nails November and December" which raised approximately $1,200.00 for this vital program.

The Canton Police Department strongly believes in a “Mindset of community, Attitude of Service and Heart of Protection. Officers know their purpose is to make a difference in the lives of our children and families in our city and the surrounding communities. The goal of Shop with a Cop is to not only financially help families but to build trust and a positive relationship to let them know they have someone to turn to when faced with a potential crisis. 

Shop with a Cop application form: https://goo.gl/forms/SQ7DIwBXqyepmqEd2