Apex Selects Next Police Chief

 

Apex, NC – After a nationwide search, John Letteney has been selected as the town’s next Chief of Police. Letteney has over 30 years of law enforcement experience including the past seven as Police Chief of Southern Pines, NC.  He replaces Chief Jack Lewis, who announced his retirement after a 37-year career in law enforcement.

Six finalists were selected from over 100 applications for an intensive multi-day assessment process where a team of law enforcement experts evaluated each candidate on a range of simulations and tests. 

“Chief Letteney exhibited the characteristics that are essential in the police chief – experience, knowledge, expertise, and integrity,” stated Town Manager Bruce Radford. 

Letteney is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.  He also is a Team Leader and Assessor for the national police accrediting agency CALEA; Apex is currently working toward CALEA accreditation. 

“I am excited about joining the Town staff and becoming a part of the Apex community,” stated Chief Letteney.  “I will do my best to continue the tradition of Service, Integrity and Pride the Apex Police Department is known for and deliver professional services in the manner the citizens of Apex deserve and have come to expect.”

Chief Letteney’s swearing in ceremony will be held at 6:30 pm on December 18th, prior to the Town Council’s regular meeting. A public reception will precede the ceremony from 4-6 pm, bidding farewell to Chief Lewis and welcoming Chief Letteney.

 Apex Mayor Keith Weatherly commented, “Public safety is a top priority for Apex residents, and we anticipate a seamless transition in leadership that will continue to move our progressive department forward.” 

Press Release 11/20/2012

The Apex Police Department conducted a nighttime seatbelt enforcement initiative on Monday, November 19, 2012 at East Williams Street near Pristine Water Drive.  Apex Police officers worked in conjunction with Holly Springs, Cary, Garner, Wake Forest, Knightdale, and Morrisville Police Departments.  Officers made numerous traffic stops and issued 90 traffic citations for motorists failing to wear their seatbelts.  This seatbelt enforcement initiative was implemented to encourage the use of seatbelts, lap belts, and child restraints in order to increase motorist safety.

Additionally the Governors Highway Safety Program reminds the traveling motorist about the Thanksgiving “Click it or Ticket” campaign that runs through November 25, 2012.   State and local law enforcement officers across the State will increase seatbelt enforcement activities during the campaign.

Nighttime traffic safety is a priority for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The nighttime passenger vehicle occupant fatality rate is about three times higher than the daytime rate.  Data shows a decline in belt use among fatally injured passenger vehicle occupants as it gets later in the evening, reaching the lowest levels between midnight and 4 am.  Nationally, 61 percent of those killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2010 during the overnight hours were not wearing seatbelts.  This is compared to 42 percent during the daytime hours.

The Apex Police Department is seeking assistance in identifying the two female in the below photo. These suspects are using stolen identities to pass fraudulent checks at State Employee Credit Unions in the area. The suspects have been seen operating a black Nissan SUV. The identities are being stolen from purses left in vehicles. The suspects obtained approximately $5000 from various locations on September 4, 2012. If you can identify either suspect please contact the Apex Police Department at 919-362-8661 or you can send an anonymous tip to TIP411 using keyword APEXPD.

We would also like to remind citizens to take their valuables out of their vehicles or secure them in the trunk out of sight. Also always lock your car.

Paving in Apex on 540 Project

NIGHTTIME CONCRETE PAVING OPERATIONS IN WAKE COUNTY

RALEIGH — Nighttime concrete paving operations will commence from US-64 to Apex BBQ Road on the night of July 30, 2012. The operations will begin at 7pm and end at 6am. The high temperatures dictate that this work be completed at night.

For more schedule information about the Western Wake Freeway project concrete paving please visit: www.westernwakeinfo.com.

NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.

Apex, N.C. — Chief Jack Lewis said Monday that he will retire at the end of the year after seven years in charge of the Apex Police Department.
“Apex citizens have been exceptionally fortunate to have a man with the dedication, experience and, most of all, integrity of Chief Jack Lewis," Mayor Keith Weatherly said in a statement. "We have enjoyed one of the lowest crime rates anywhere due in large measure to his ability to inspire his officers with the same commitment he has for public service."
Town Manager Bruce Radford said the town will begin a search for Lewis' successor, with the goal of having someone in place by mid- to late December.
Lewis, who has been in law enforcement for 37 years, said he plans to spend more time with his family.

LEO Torch Run For Special Olympics

Apex Police and Fire run the 2012 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

On May31st the Apex Police Department will be running a 4.1 mile leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run which raises money for Special Olympics. The map shows the route the officers will be taking. There will be delays in theses areas from 9:00am until 10:30am.

Annual Awards Ceremony

The Apex Police Departmetn held its annual awards ceremony in conjunction with National Police Week. Officer Brian Opitz was named as Officer of the Year. Officers Eric Buchanan and Lee Burns were awarded a Life Saving Award and Officers Eric Buchanan, Brian Opitz, Detective Worth Brown and Sergeant Greg Towell were all given a Meritorious Service Award. We also sworn in 5 new offiers. Officer Sean Myers, Office Joe Gianni, Officer Jordan Keilman, Officer Harry Pennington and Officer Scott James.

Apex Poilce Arrest Two at Polling Station

Two arrested at Apex polling place

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Colleen Mary Brock & Troy Scott Hale (Courtesy: Wake County Sheriff's Office)

APEX, N.C. (WTVD) -- Apex police had to be called to a polling place at Lufkin Road Middle School about 7 p.m. Tuesday after a disturbance broke out.

Police said 50-year-old Colleen Mary Brock was attempting to vote when she refused to give the polling attendant her name, address and political affiliation.

When the attendant told Brock the law required her to provide the information, police said she became irate and she and her husband, 51-year-old Troy Scott Hale, began to yell at the polling attendant.

The victim, 24-year-old Melvin Martinez Jr., tried to diffuse the situation when Hale allegedly picked up a polling sign and tried to hit him with it. Police said Brock then stepped in and assaulted Martinez by shoving him.

Both Brock and Hale were charged with misdemeanor assualt and creating a public disturbance.

National Police Week

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The Memorial Service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation's Capital each year.

Peak Fest Parking

Peak Fest is May 5th and each year we have issues with illegal parking that causes traffic and safety hazards. As a reminder you cannot park within 25 feet of an intersection or within 10 foot of a private driveway. Parking is always a concern but so is the safety of the motorist who are traveling on roads with large amounts of parked cars. You also cannot park on someone elses property without their permission. Please be mindful of where you park.

Keep Pedestrian Safety in Mind

 

The warm weather of spring typically invites more pedestrians out onto sidewalks and crosswalks as they make their way to school on foot. The Apex Police Department urges motorists to be mindful of school zone speed limits and crosswalks to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

Baucom Elementary School on Hunter Street is an example of one of several Apex schools located on a busy roadway. In response to concerns about pedestrian safety in front of Baucom, the Town of Apex recently implemented several changes to this section of Hunter Street. The crosswalk in front of Baucom was realigned, with new concrete ramps and high-visibility signs to maximize the accessibility, usefulness, and safety of the crosswalk.
Here's a refresher on the crosswalk law - a pedestrian attempting to cross the street while in a marked crosswalk always has the right of way. It is the driver's responsibility to stop.

New Area Code Dialing Causing 9-1-1 Center Issues

Police response to false 911 calls has increased dramatically since April 1st. This can be attributed to the new ten-digit dialing in the Triangle, as '911' is easy to misdial instead of '919'. If you dial 911 in error, do not hang up. Stay on the line to let the dispatcher know that you dialed the number accidentally. If you hang up, an officer is likely to be dispatched to ensure that there is not a problem, which delays response to actual emergency calls.

Can you identify this person?

The Apex Police Department is trying to identify the person in this photo. If you have any information please contact Detective Linsdey Tote at 919-362-8661.

Can you identify these suspects?

The Apex Police Department is trying to identify the two people in this photo. If you have information on either of these people please contact Detective Lindsey Tote at
919-362-8661.