Public Safety Officers work on volunteer basis

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.)

Public Safety Officer Norman Elrod uses his two-way radio while patrolling the greenway in the department’s six-wheel John Deere Gator. Elrod is one of six Public Safety Officers who are volunteering their time to help the police department.

It was Saturday afternoon and Public Safety Officer Tommy Adams was about to lead his second funeral procession of the day. His souped up Chevy Blazer, complete with flashing lights and police scanner, was waiting at the bottom of College Street.

“It’s great we can do these types of things,” said Adams. “It allows the police officers to go where they’re really needed.”

It’s been almost three months since McMinnville’s first Public Safety Unit hit the streets, and by all accounts, the volunteer officers have been a handy extension of McMinnville Police Department.

The duty of the six-person Public Safety Unit is to observe, report and help police officers with non-enforcement chores. This includes: escorting funerals, directing traffic at accident sites, helping stranded motorists, and patrolling the greenway, to name a few.

A significant power outage this Sunday, which knocked out several traffic lights at busy intersections, provided a perfect example of how valuable the Public Safety Unit has been. Public Safety Officer Gail Campbell was quick to direct traffic at one of the intersections.

“Since we started this the last week of October, all six of us have donated a total of 292 hours,” said Public Safety Officer Norman Elrod. “That’s 292 hours for police officers to do something else.”

The idea of forming a Public Safety Unit was sparked about three years ago when city leaders were examining liability issues associated with leading funeral processions. Due to time constraints, and the possibility of a lawsuit, some aldermen wanted to halt the tradition completely.

“Somewhere along the line, I got to thinking this doesn’t need to be a gun-carrying police officer leading the funeral procession,” said Mayor Royce Davenport. “So we got to looking at it and we found they have a similar program in Cleveland, Tennessee.”

Using feedback from Cleveland officials, the framework for McMinnville’s Public Safety Unit was shaped. And as is the case with any organization, the Public Safety Unit’s productivity hinges on its members.

“We’re very appreciative and very proud of the quality of people we have,” said Davenport, who also wanted to stress there is a fair amount of training involved. “We don’t just take somebody and say ‘Here’s a uniform.’ They have completed a training course and they don’t carry a weapon.”

The Public Safety Officers do not have arrest powers. They are intended to be extra eyes and ears for police officers, and to help out those officers whenever possible.

“A real good relationship has grown between us and the police officers,” said Elrod. “I know I’ve gained new respect for what they do.”

The Public Safety Unit has been established at very little cost to city taxpayers. McMinnville was awarded a federal Edward Byrne Grant for $36,000 which required $15,000 in matching funds from the city.

The total of $51,000 was used to buy two new Chevy Blazers, uniforms, and other equipment such as scanners and two-way radios. A six-wheel John Deere Gator was also purchased to patrol the greenway.

Public safety officers are required to work no less than four hours a week and some work more. Other special duties have been working Halloween night and during the Christmas parade. Officers are also expected to provide a greater presence at the Civic Center during ball season.

“We also made sure to patrol the parking lots pretty good during the holidays,” said Public Safety Officer Lester Cowell. “It might have kept someone from having their car broken into.”

McMinnville Police Captain Bryan Denton says he is looking to expand the force to around 10 officers and is hoping to receive interest from qualified candidates. Denton said a training course could begin in the next two to three weeks. If you are interested, call McMinnville Police Department at 473-5377.

All about ?

McMinnville’s
Public Safety Unit
• The six-member volunteer Public Safety Unit is composed of:
Lester Cowell
Norman Elrod
Ed Yager
Gail Campbell
Allen Jaco
Tommy Adams

• The unit was formed with a $36,000 federal grant which included $15,000 in matching funds from the city of McMinnville for a total of $51,000.

• Public Safety Officers have two new Chevy Blazers at their disposal to patrol the streets and a six-wheel John Deere Gator to patrol the Barren Fork Greenway. Officers began work the last week of October.

• Officers passed an initial 30-hour course and are given additional training each month.