Valdese PD staff lead the charge in department upgrades

The Valdese Police Department is changing, and many employees are building up their skills as well.

Throughout interviews with Police Chief Marc Sharpe and department employees, many echoed a feeling of pride in their new roles and ongoing internal changes.

The department’s updates include installing new software, implementing more training, and reassigning duties. Several employees are now instructors, and others have been tasked with handling specific duties.

Here is what some of the personnel had to say.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ROUNDTABLE

Administrative Assistant Harley Chesek-Brown, a creator of the roundtable program, has been working with assistants from law enforcement agencies from Catawba, Avery, and Burke counties to improve their departments.

The idea for the program was sparked when her files were audited, and she reached out to Assistant Barbara Miller from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office for filing advice.

Chesek-Brown said that when she first came to the department, the former assistant was a great mentor. She wants to share some of those insights and what she has learned along the way, and also to learn from others.

The tri-county-based program meets quarterly and has swapped ideas on software, record keeping, training, and filing techniques.

The collaboration has been beneficial, Chesek-Brown said, introducing her to new contacts and ideas.

FIREARMS TRAINING

Sgt. William Beck, a firearms instructor, said that across the board, firearm rating scores have improved.

Having better scores makes the public and the officers themselves safer.

He explained that the new training (firearms, Narcan, tasers, etc.) makes officers better prepared for any situation they might encounter.

BUSINESS OWNERS, SOCIAL MEDIA

When Sgt. Michael Branch was tasked with documenting and contacting all the businesses, he was surprised to find that there was almost double the number than what was recorded.

With this information, they now have updated information and have worked to build relationships with owners.

Another initiative Branch has undertaken is posting information such as press releases and updates on the department’s Facebook page. He also organizes law enforcement response statistics.

These efforts improve department transparency and, in some cases, have helped solve crimes in the area with the help of followers.

Branch said keeping Valdese residents informed is a pleasure.

CAR MAINTENANCE

“I’m a car enthusiast,” patrolman Jason Xaysana explained. “When Marc took office and found out about my interest in cars, he asked if I wanted to manage the cars.”

Since stepping into the role, Xaysana has gained extensive knowledge about police vehicles and their maintenance. He explained that managing the fleet isn’t easy, as the department’s cars are spread across four rotations and varying schedules.

The most recent addition to the fleet was “built from the ground up,” upfitting the vehicle with the equipment necessary for a police car: storage, gunbox, flashing lights, pushbar, and other customizations.

The vehicles also feature a new graphic design that Xaysana said more clearly identifies them as part of the Valdese Police Department.

Almost every time he works, he receives a compliment on the new, notable, bold look.

“It definitely captures the eyes of the community,” Xaysana said.