Arab Police Honor Volunteers

L-R: Chief Mike Blackwood, Lieutenant Jerry Self, Claudia Carroll, Mayor Gary Beam, John Biggs, Sr., Sherman Roberts, Nell Roberts.  Not available for photo: Patricia Henry  Arab Today Photo by Dwight Hayes

August 2, 2009
The Arab Police Department recently honored a group of volunteers who assist the department in the investigation, administrative, warrants, courts, and public relations areas.  The five volunteers perform their duties as part of the Marshall County RSVP program. 

Arab police chief Mike Blackwood said the volunteers are a huge asset to the department by freeing officers to perform more patrol and investigative duties.  Blackwood said their services also help to save money for the department since additional paid personnel would be needed to provide the same level of service.  Blackwood said that Arab is unique in that they are the only department in the county that takes advantage of the RSVP program.  "We have partnered with RSVP for about 13-14 years and it has just been great."  Blackwood added.

Arab Mayor Gary Beam thanked the volunteers for the hundreds of hours donated each year through the program.  "Your efforts have allowed Arab to have a more sophisticated and organized department and you represent the City very well." Beam said.  Lieutenant Jerry Self, head of the APD Warrant Division, said that he learns a lot from the volunteers.  "They are a mirror of what the community thinks of the department."  Self added.

The volunteers are:  Claudia Carroll, Patricia Henry, John Biggs, Sr., Sherman Roberts, and Nell Roberts.