Carter, Montejano are Dalton Police employees of year

Published 7:28 am Wednesday, July 27, 2011

In the two-and-a-half years he was a school resource officer at Dalton High School, Brandon Carter was friendly with the students he was tasked to watch and found opportunities to build relationships of trust with them, he said.

After he moved into the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) of the Dalton Police Department, the students’ continuing willingness to talk to him helped break a case where property damage was being perpetrated throughout the city.

Carter, an eight-year veteran of the force, was selected as the “Sworn Employee of the Year” by his colleagues in the department and received his award on Tuesday at the Public Safety Commission meeting. Police Chief Jason Parker said Carter has done “an excellent job” in investigations and has garnered eight previous recommendations, including three employee of the month awards.

“His contacts within the school helped him clear several cases,” said Parker. “Detective Carter has been able to clear many cases, singling out a shoplifting investigation in 2010 in which he was able to investigate a lead and make an arrest, finding that the same suspect had also committed similar thefts in four other cities in Georgia and Tennessee.”

“I’m honored just to be considered,” Carter said.

Maria Montejano was selected as “Non-Sworn Employee of the Year” for her self-motivation and spirit of service, Parker said.

“About three weeks ago Maria served as a translator on live radio on the spur of the moment,” said Parker, who pointed out Montejano has more than 10 years’ service with the department. “She pulled it off flawlessly.”

As the division secretary for the CID, Montejano is often called to assist with investigations by providing Spanish language translation. She is also a trained forensic sketch artist and has performed composite sketches to assist with many criminal investigations. She has seven previous commendations, including two previous honors as Non-Sworn Employee of the Year.

The employee of the year awards are voted on by department employees using secret ballots. A “sworn” employee has completed police officer certification while a “non-sworn” employee has not and normally works in an administrative role.

Also during the meeting, Parker told the commission of plans to modify an agreement with Dalton Public Schools regarding school resource officers. The Dalton High SRO will now split time between DHS and Morris Innovative High School, responding to the latter on an “as needed basis,” Parker explained.

“The SRO is a deterrent factor, but when the deterrent moves around it leaves an opening (in security),” he said. “The location of the SRO will be known by the SRO and principal only.”

Parker said no additional funds will be needed to modify the agreement.

The Dalton Fire Department welcomed six new firefighters to the force who were recognized at the meeting. They are Bobby Blackwell, Andy Brock, Jared Burns, Jordan Parker, Dale Reed and Adam Stanley.

The commission approved one new alcohol pouring license for El Chavas y Cheves at 403 S. Spencer St. Owner Diana Chairez told Chairman Bill Weaver she understood the city’s alcohol ordinances and the council’s enforcement of underage drinking laws.

Kilgore promoted to master patrol officer

The Dalton Police Department recently promoted Detective Ron Kilgore to the rank of master patrol officer. Kilgore joined the department in 1999.

For the past six years, Kilgore has been assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. He is currently assigned as an investigator with the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. Before joining the task force, he worked as an investigator with the department’s drug unit.

Kilgore graduated in May from Covenant College with a bachelor’s degree. He earned his high school diploma from Northwest Whitfield High School in 1990.