16 / 112
14
Public Safety
Police, Dispatch & Animal Control
To the Citizens of Buxton,
“The mission of the Buxton Police Department is to uphold the law fairly and firmly: to reduce
crime; to pursue and bring to justice those who break the law; to protect, help and reassure
the community: and to be seen to do all this with integrity, common sense, sound judgment,
teamwork and respect.
We must be compassionate, courteous and patient, acting without fear, favor or prejudice
to the rights of others while applying intelligent use of discretion of the law. We need to be
professional, calm and restrained in the face of violence and apply only that force which is
necessary to accomplish our lawful duty. We must strive to reduce the fears of the public and so
far as we can, to reflect their priorities in the action we take.
It is also our mission to strengthen public confidence in the organization, develop and maintain
positive relationships with the community and promote the concept of teamwork for the benefit
of all, while at the same time promoting a safe and friendly community through proactive
enforcement and education. We must respond to well-founded criticism with willingness for
change in response to the changing needs of our community.”
I feel it is important to leave the department mission statement at the beginning of each Annual
Report as a reminder of your police department’s commitment and dedication to the citizens of
Buxton.
The Buxton Police Department has gone through some very significant changes in 2016.
I took command of the Police Department, Communications Center &Animal Control in the latter
part of March. I immediately saw that there were several areas that needed attention.
The Communications Center was understaffed and overworked. I want to thank Dispatchers
Kathy Mullen and Shelly Cave as well as former Dispatcher Elizabeth Moreland for their personal
sacrifices and willingness to work so many hours to keep our Communications Center operational.