POLICE PROMOTIONS Cory Nolte and Ben Himan have been promoted to lieutenant. Nolte has been with the department for 13 years, spending the last nine in the traffic unit, where he obtained certification as a crash reconstructionist, inspection mechanic and as an instructor in field sobriety testing and emergency vehicle operation. Himan has 22 years experience as a police officer, 16 with Mt. Lebanon and eight with the Durham, North Carolina, police department, where he worked as a violent crimes detective. His duties with Mt. Lebanon included serving eight years as a K9 officer, and implementing the department’s drone program. Both Himan and Nolte also served as field training officers.

WATCHING THE DETECTIVES The addition of newly hired police officers to the roster allows for the department to fully staff its investigative unit, which has been down one officer for the past couple of years. A fully staffed investigative unit comprises a lieutenant and four detectives. One specializes in narcotics, another in juvenile and sex crimes, and the other two work general investigations and also serve as custodians of evidence.

To qualify for selection in the investigative unit, an officer must have at least three years experience as a patrol officer, and completion of some investigation training courses.

“One thing we’ve been trying to do is let the younger officers know that if there’s a track or a field they’d like to get into within the department, start looking for training early in your patrol career, so you’re more prepared for the assignment if and when it comes up to you,” said Cpl. Ty Kegarise. “There are a few schools out there for different investigative techniques, like financial crime, sexual assault and others, and a lot of the officers jump on board with that training.”

Prospective investigators are interviewed by a panel of senior officers, including the head of the unit.

SAFE EXCHANGE If you’re involved in an online purchase with someone you’ve never met, it’s a good idea to make the exchange in a public place. The Mt. Lebanon Public Safety Center, 555 Washington Road, has five brightly lit parking spaces in the lot behind the building. The area is under video surveillance. Although the cameras aren’t monitored 24/7, the likelihood of someone trying something in the police station parking lot is pretty low.

VACATION SEASON As we gear up to hit the road, the MLPD has some tips to make sure you come home to an undisturbed house. Either ask the post office to stop mail delivery, or make arrangements with a neighbor to collect your mail and newspapers, so they don’t pile up in front of your house. Put your inside house lights on timers, so you don’t show a dark house 24/7.

The Mt. Lebanon Police Department will check on your home while you’re away. Pick up a request form at rear lobby of the public safety center, and patrol officers will swing by. If you have someone stopping in to water your plants or pick up your mail, let the department know, to avoid any misunderstandings.

PACE YOURSELF This time of year, we can go from blue skies and puffy white clouds to a monsoon in the time it takes to go to the ice cream shop. Downed wires or flood waters can be dangerous. Make sure you’re aware of your surroundings.