NC Army National Guard Deactivation of the 1132nd Military Police Company
RALEIGH, N.C. – As part of a nationwide U.S. Army and National Guard force reduction/reorganization plan, the North Carolina Army National Guard will deactivate the 1132nd Military Police Company, at its headquarters in Rocky Mount, on Sunday, Aug 6, 2017.
The deactivation of the 1132nd has been planned for over a year. Approximately150 soldiers are assigned to the unit.
“The 1132nd’s deactivation will not end our commitment to serving the state in times of need and disaster,” said Brig. Gen. John Byrd, NCNG’s Assistant Adjutant General for Domestic Operations.
Virtually every Soldier in the 1132nd has been reassigned to other North Carolina Army National Guard military police units, decided to reclassify to other job specialties in the Guard, transfer to active duty or the reserves, or retire.
The 1132nd maintained three armories in Mount Olive, Tarboro, and Rocky Mount. All three will close within the next 6-9 months and be transferred to the State Property Office for final divestiture.
The 1132nd was established in December 2002. The unit deployed to Iraq on Dec. 12, 2007, and worked with the Iraqi Police Service, providing training and oversight of police operations in southeast Baghdad. Tragically, the complex and dangerous nature of the mission led to five Soldiers losing their lives in service to their country and over 20 wounded-in-action, before the 1132nd’s combat tour ended in the fall of 2008.
The 1132nd supported multiple state emergencies since its origin, to include last year’s Charlotte riots and Hurricane Matthew.
Operation Summer Magic Results in Six Arrests in Franklin County
RALEIGH – Nearly 40 law enforcement and probation/parole officers, as well as support staff from state, local and federal agencies, joined forces this week for Operation Summer Magic, an enforcement operation that served outstanding criminal warrants and conducted compliance checks on high risk and violent offenders on probation and parole in Franklin County.
“Law enforcement agency partnerships are key to maintaining safe communities in Franklin County, as well as across the state,” said N.C. Department of Public Safety Community Corrections Director Tracy Lee. “We thank our partners for their hard work and collaboration on this operation.”
The one-day operation saw 27 residences searched, with six arrests. Law enforcement seized:
- 3 firearms;
- 1 bulletproof vest;
- Marijuana and drug paraphernalia; and
- 48 packets of heroin.
Participating agencies included DPS Community Corrections (Probation/Parole), DPS Special Operations Unit, federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Franklinton Police Department, Youngsville Police Department, Louisburg Police Department and N.C. Information Sharing and Analysis Center (NC ISAAC). The operation was supported by canines and handlers from DPS and the local law enforcement agencies.
Franklin County Sheriff Kent Winstead, said, “We are appreciative of our local, state and federal partners who came together in a collaborative effort to serve warrants and ensure high-risk offenders were in compliance with the terms of their probation.”
Louisburg Police Chief Jason Abbott said, “With our communities shaken by numerous recent acts of violence that have crossed several jurisdictions, I am grateful for the relationships we share with our community leaders, and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Collectively, and with community support, we are taking a proactive approach to end the senseless violence in our neighborhoods.”
Franklinton Police Chief John Green said, “We are thankful for all local, state and federal agencies coming together in this joint operation in this county.”
Added Youngsville Police Chief Daren Kirts, “This is great when all of Franklin County law enforcement comes together for the safety of its citizens.”
For more information about Operation Summer Magic, please contact Terry Wright at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at (919) 727-0834.
Newly Hired Correctional Officers to Get Training More Quickly
Department Implements New Approach to Correctional Officer Training
RALEIGH – In an effort to improve safety at state prisons, the Department of Public Safety is launching a new approach to train newly hired correctional officers more quickly. New officers will begin basic correctional officer training at the start of their second week on the job, following one week of orientation at their work location. By attending basic training within the first couple of weeks of employment, correctional officers will learn the policies, procedures, skills and abilities to help them be successful.
“This new approach to training will better equip newly hired correctional officers so they excel at keeping order in the prisons for the safety of staff, inmates and ultimately the public,” said Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks.
Adult Correction has redirected existing resources to immediately provide this training to new hires and is working to make sure that all officers already on the job have attended basic training. In addition, Secretary Hooks said that he and division leaders are working with managers throughout the state to find ways to improve prison operations.
“Redirecting training resources is important to provide the foundation officers need to understand working in a correctional environment,” said W. David Guice, chief deputy secretary of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice. “Well-trained officers who are confident working in this environment will enhance public safety.”
The current basic correctional officer training curriculum is under wholesale review and may be expanded. The leaders of Adult Corrections will take a more hands-on role during training to help emphasize professionalism, ethics and the importance of a public safety career. In addition, supervisory training improvements are also being considered.
“To improve operations, we’re researching and analyzing best practices including in hiring, entry and exit procedures and contraband control, and I am committed to making changes where appropriate,” Secretary Hooks added.
ICYMI: N.C. SBI and Virginia State Police Coordinate Marijuana Eradication Operation
RALEIGH – A joint North Carolina-Virginia marijuana eradication operation July 25-26 yielded more than 800 plants seized in Granville, Vance and Warren counties. Two stolen vehicles were recovered as well. On the north side of the state line, the Virginia State Police seized 25 plants and 20 guns. Charges are pending on one individual.
North Carolina’s State Bureau of Investigation and the Virginia State Police coordinated the multi-agency operation that took place along the border of the two states.
“The partnerships we have at the state and local level and with our partners to the north made this operation successful,” said Lynn Gay, assistant special agent in charge of the SBI’s Capitol District. “No one agency brought more to the table than another. It was a group effort, and everyone’s input helped achieve our goal of putting illegal growers out of business.”
The N.C. State Highway Patrol, the N.C. National Guard and the SBI provided aerial surveillance. Other participants included the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the sheriffs’ offices from the three counties.
“In my years of being with the Virginia State Police, I have never seen a joint eradication operation between the two state bureaus to include local departments on both sides of the state line,” said Fst. Sgt. Tony Barksdale of the Virginia State Police. “I deem the operation a success and praise the efforts put forth by all agencies involved.”
“The season is not over for the Marijuana Eradication Program,” Gay said. “We have agents trained to spot grow operations from the air and we will be back.”
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Taylor New Eaton-Johnson Principal
— courtesy Vance County Schools
Students, parents and members of the community will have an opportunity to meet Travis Taylor, the new principal at Eaton-Johnson Middle School, on August 10.
The school is hosting meet-and-greet sessions entitled, “Tea with Taylor,” on August 10 from 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.
Everyone should plan on attending one of the sessions to get to know Mr. Taylor and meet the school’s two assistant principals, Lemondre Watson and Sandra Byrd.
