As a blogger, and host of Connections on WNCR TV with George Fisher it seems I’m always talking about the negative things that impact Rocky Mount, North Carolina.  Not only is it refreshing to talk about the outstanding work of the RMPD, as it relates to Thursday’s hostage situation, but it’s a report that is highly overdue.

I’ve  gathered information from sources close to the investigation that both the US Marshals office and the NC SBI utilized the  RMPD in various important ways, include hostage negotiations, tactical assault assessment and perimeter control. 

Over the years, the RMPD has developed a very trained and professionally detailed group of specialized officers with skills developed for just such a situation as happened Thursday. 

Last summer, a similar situation occurred  in Rocky Mount in where the gunman eventually shot and killed himself.  The primary lead in that event was the Nash County Sheriff’s Department.  In 2009, Nash County deputies were trying to serve outstanding warrants on Thomas Rose for probation violations. Rose ran into a house on Dana Lane, shots were fired, and a standoff ensued.  Fortunately, there were not hostages involved. The standoff lasted 20 hours.

US Justice Department grants, along with tax dollars, have helped the Rocky Mount PD become one of the best trained law enforcement agencies in State.  Equipment purchases have not only added safety, but ensures local citizens get as much bang for their buck as possible.

In 2009, RMPD received close to 71,000 911 calls  and another 60,000 non-911 calls.  Rocky Mount has 4 canine unites (one for each shift) and a certified canine trainer.  Top that off with a personnel turnover rate of less than 6.5%, one of the lowest in the State.

I’ve talked with some local law enforcement officers who say they that they have friends working in other towns. Most of whom would love to consider working here, if it weren’t for the fact they’d have to uproot their family and move.

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Last Thursday, I was in a group with several media outlets.  All were complaining about not being close enough to the action to get a  “good video shot”.  As it turned out, the perimeter was a major concern for law enforcement. The suspect , unbeknownst to us, had potential access to a vehicle.  As Looney came out of the house, he used that vehicle to try to escape capture.  Had law enforcement not acted as they did, the situation could have been much worse.

Unlike bloggers (and the rest of us) the police can’t depend on hindsight.

I still have unanswered questions concerning the US Marshals office. It seems they are quite reserved at releasing information.  I can’t help but think that anytime a standoff occurs, it’s because someone didn’t follow policy and procedure, or didn’t access the situation beforehand.  From research, over the last couple of days, the Marshals Service is trained to prevent these incidents from happening. What went wrong?