CLEWISTON -- The following is a report from Clewiston Police Chief Tom Lewis as included in Clewiston City Manager Randy Martin's report:

Police Chief Tom Lewis reports:

Police Department

ACCREDITATION PROGRESS UPDATE – Over the last 20 months, we have been working hard to prepare the police department to be accredited for the first time in the 98-year history of the city. We are very pleased to announce that we have secured the dates of December 12-14, 2023, as our official accreditation assessment dates. During this time, the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) will send a team of subject matter experts to the Clewiston Police Department for a three-day on-site assessment. After proving compliance to the team (including policies, equipment, facility requirements, training, personnel interviews, etc.), their report will go to the CFA Accreditation Commission for review. We can expect to receive our accredited status during their February 2024 Conference. This accredited status will show the public, whom we proudly serve every day, that every aspect of our operation is operating under best practices and outside experts get a continuing first-hand look at our operation. 

SAVE THE DATE: On March 16a t 6 p.m., the Clewiston Police Department is set to battle it out with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office in a charity softball game. The batlefield is set at the Clewiston High School Baseball Field and all concession stand proceeds will go directly to the Clewiston Tigers. As the Sheriff’s Office prepares to lose in a very public setting, please take the time to console them.

On February 16 Chief Lewis and Commander Nieves attended the Palm Beach County Police Chiefs Association meeting. The meeting hosted law enforcement equipment vendors as well as a presentation by FDLE on officer discipline. This networking opportunity also resulted in the Clewiston Police Department receiving a donation of 4 additional AEDs. With this new addition, we will have a minimum of two AEDs on every patrol shift to increase our ability to saving lives.

On February 21 Officer Buffie McLeod visited the Discovery Day Academy to talk to the kids during their Community Helper week. As part of the visit, Officer McLeod also let the kids see the inside of a patrol car.

On February 28 the police department’s outside sign had a makeover. The aging vinyl siding was replaced with concrete stacked rock that matches the front pillars of the building.

On March 1 Chief Lewis attended the Harlem Community Garden "Garden to Table" luncheon. The presentation was attended by Senator Collins, members of US Sugar and a contingent of local residents. A meal was served including freshly grown cabbage, collard greens and other vegetables grown right in the community garden.

Animal Services

In the month of February Animal Services reported the intake of 18 cats and 36 dogs.

As Clewiston will soon see the start of kitten season, residents that are replacing bath towels or other linens can donate old ones to the shelter. These donations make our animals’ stay a little more comfortable before they find their way to their forever home! We encourage everyone to stop by and take a look at what your tax dollars are doing – and maybe even find a new face to bring home.

On February 25 members of the Clewiston Police Department and Animal Services staff attended the Florida Animal Control Association’s (FACA) annual awards banquet in Orlando, Florida. With more than 80 member agencies and organizations in FACA, Clewiston Animal Services was honored to accept the 2022 State of Florida’s Outstanding Small Agency of the Year.

 Highlighted Training

On February 3 Evidence Custodian Espino participated in a one-day online Property and Evidence Management course.

On February 15 all of our police officers were trained on building clearing, felony stops and Narcan. The training was held at the former police department next to City Hall and focused on single-officer entry to an active shooter as well as a team-approach in building clearing.  

On February 21 Officer Conyers attended a one-day Glock armorer course. The certification course will better prepare the agency to comply with accreditation standards for mandated firearms inspections and will also serve the save money as we can make minor repairs.

Beginning on February 27 Officer Rueben Louis-Pierre attended a three-day course on Driving While Intoxicated and Standardized Field Sobriety Exercises hosted by the Indian River State College Criminal Justice Institute. This training was followed by a two-day course on Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement. These classes will serve to bring the latest techniques to all of our officers on DUI detection, proper and legal investigations, as well as reduce liability for the department.