Crime & Safety

Police Department Hires New Crime Prevention Specialist

They will serve as a liaison to Neighborhood Watch groups and Youth Services, among other tasks.

The Manassas City Police Department (MCPD) is getting a new Crime Prevention Specialist (CPS) who will serve as a liaison to Neighborhood Watch groups and Youth Services, among other tasks.

According to MCPD Sergeant Eddie Rivera, the civilian position has been filled and the individual, whose name will be released at a later date, will begin on Nov 15.

The CPS will attend City Council meetings, community service functions,  as well as assist the department’s public information officer.

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MCPD Sgt. Scott Stallard was the prior CPS and returned to patrol duty due to officer shortages.


Police Chief Doug Keen acknowledged at the beginning of the year the police department has a “significant shortage of officers," but he told the Council at the Oct. 24 meeting the department has been "proactive" in getting additional officers out on the streets. He told the council 16 officers are in training, and six of them are expected to be out on patrol sometime in November. The additional 10 should be ready to go by April 2012, he said.

Find out what's happening in Manassaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 “Help is on the way,” Keen told the council.

Cindy Brookshire, who is part of the Weems Neighborhood Watch, said the group has not had a meeting since Sgt. Stallard was reassigned over a year ago.

 She said the meetings are important for “face-to-face contact, information sharing and most of all, training for new Neighbor Watch members.”

“Neighborhood Watches are a great way to engage the community in working together for safe, clean neighborhoods,” she said.

She was happy to hear the good news.

Sgt. Rivera said the CPS is required to go through training and a certification program, and will work around 32 hours per week.  The department will be sending out more information on the City's new CPS in a few days, he said. 


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