THOMASVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

commanders' REMARKS

Crime Stoppers 229.227.3305

SRO/Community Relations
Lt. E. Hampton

Lt. Eric Hampton has served as a Watch Commander in the Thomasville Police Department Patrol Division. His current assignment is as SRO/Community Relations team commander.  Lt Hampton has been with the department since 1988. He has served as a patrol officer, Patrol Sergeant, and currently holds the position Patrol Lieutenant. Lt.Hampton is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy 200th session. He is currently attending the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College Class 28 at Columbus State University. He is a graduate of Thomasville High School and served four years in the United States Navy.

Message from the Commander When I served as the Watch Commander for D-Team, I encouraged our officers to practice the Community Policing Philosophy by getting them involved in the community in their assigned zones.  One community policing method is identifying community problems and developing solutions to solve the problems in each assigned zone.  D-team officers are expected to be respectful, courteous and professional at all times when interacting with the citizens in our community. The officers on the team are also expected to be courteous when carrying out their duties in a manner which sets an example for our citizens and are expected to do the R.I.G.H.T thing. As the Commander of the team, the key in improving the “quality of life” in our community is “open communication” between the police and citizens. Without open communication and interaction with the community, problems cannot be identified and solutions cannot be developed.

The SRO/Community Relations team is responsible for many programs.  Listed below are various youth related programs the team participates in.

·        D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)  

Program designed to teach kids about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and violence.  The D.A.R.E. Decision Making Model is used in the program to help make good healthy choices throughout life. Taught to 5^th graders by Officer Hembree at Harper Elementary and Jerger Elementary.

• G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Learning)     

Program is a violence prevention program that teaches students important skills to help them avoid gangs, violence, drug abuse and crime. Middle school curriculum taught to 6^th and 7^th graders by Officer Hembree and Officer Ford at MacIntyre Park Middle School.  Elementary curriculum taught to 3^rd and 4^th graders at Harper Elementary and Jerger Elementary by Officer Hembree. Taught to alternative students by Officer Rollins.

• P.R.I.D.E. (Parents Reducing Incidents of Driver Error)

Program designed to help parents and their new drivers ages 14-16 learn what they need to do during the 40 hours of supervised practice driving time required by Georgia Law.  Taught by Sgt. Singletary, Officer Hembree and Officer Rollins.

• Bullying Program

Teaches kids what to do if they are being bullied, how to recognize bullies and how to not be a bully themselves.  Taught by Officer Hembree at Harper Elementary and Jerger Elementary.  Taught by Officer Rollins and Officer Ford at Scott Elementary.

• Halloween Safety Program/Tips for Treats

Taught at Halloween to encourage safety while trick or treating.  Taught by Officer Hembree at Harper Elementary, Jerger Elemetary, Balfour School and Thomas County Head Start.  Taught by Officer Rollins at Scott Elementary.

• Safe-t-Ville

Program designed to teach safety to ages 5-7.  Taught at Balfour school during June by Officer Hembree, Officer Rollins and Officer Ford.

• Driver’s Safety

Rules and violations of driving taught to students at Thomasville High School by Officer Rollins before they are allowed to purchase a parking pass.

• Stranger Danger

Program taught to young students to help them learn the dangers associated with strangers, what they need to do if they encounter a stranger and how to be safe around all strangers.  Taught to Pre-K through 1^st grade at Harper Elementary, Jerger Elementary, Balfour School and Thomas County Head Start by Officer Hembree.  Taught to Kindergarten and 1^st grade students at Scott Elementary by Officer Rollins.

Ellis Jackson
Chief of Police

Chief's Message