Traffic Crash Reconstruction Team - TCRT

The Radford Department of Police is dedicated to the investigation of all traffic accidents, whether minor with property damage only or major, including injury or death.  A state FR-300 accident report is filed for all accidents that occur within the City of Radford.  A copy of this report may be requested through the Records Bureau and will be released within 5-7 business days.

In a particularly serious traffic accident involving severe injuries, fatalities, multiple vehicles, etc., the patrol officers will request the response of the Traffic Crash Reconstruction Team (TCRT).  The TCRT is made up of seven (7) members of the Department from the Field Services Division.  The team is headed by Sergeant David J. Trail.  Sergeant Trail has had 26 years of law enforcement experience and leads a team that has been extensively trained in traffic accident investigations and reconstruction.  The basic training for the TCRT members included a rigorous two week course on Basic Crash Reconstruction, a one week course on Advanced Crash Reconstruction, motorcycle accident training, grade crossing collision, and other specialized areas.  The team is subject to being called in to investigate a major accident, day or night.

K-9

In July 2001 the Radford Department of Police began their campaign for a dog to create a K-9 unit.  Senior Officer C.L. Caldwell began the task of obtaining donations to facilitate the purchase of the dog and equipping the K-9 team.  As a result the Radford Department of Police K9 Unit began in January 2002 with funding from area businesses, residents, and money from the Radford Department of Police Drug Forfeiture fund.  Using these funds the department purchased it's first K-9, since the unit dispersed back in the 1980's.

The K-9 Unit is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The unit operates throughout the City of Radford, and the New River Valley.

The police K-9 unit is able to:

• Track and find wanted criminals or missing persons;

• Search all types of buildings for criminals in hiding;

• Search for illegal drugs that have been hidden;

• Chase and apprehend criminals escaping arrest who may be armed and dangerous.

Senior Police Officer C.L. Caldwell

The Radford Department of Police K-9 team is lead by Senior Police Officer C.L. Caldwell.  Officer Caldwell has been with the Department of Police for over 5 years and was assigned to the K9 unit in January 2002.  Prior to becoming the K-9 Handler Officer Caldwell was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Officer Caldwell is partnered with K-9 "Dusty".  Dusty was purchased from Van Der Hous Gill German Shepherds in Ohio.  Officer Caldwell and "Dusty" attended a 12 week K-9 academy at the Roanoke City Police Department under Master Trainer John Hoover.  Officer Caldwell and Dusty are certified through the Virginia Police Work dog Association (VPWDA), and the North American Police Work dog Association (NAPWDA).  They are also members of the Southwest Virginia Police Training Group.

On May 16, 2003 Officers responded to the Super 8 motel in the City of Radford.  Upon there arrival they located some pieces of crack cocaine and marijuana.  Officer Caldwell and "Dusty" were called out to assist them.  Upon arrival "Dusty" alerted on a safe located in the room.  The safe was opened to reveal approximately 40 pieces of crack cocaine valued at approximately $4,000.00.

Funding for the K-9 unit is based strictly on donations from area businesses and residents.  Some of the contributors are as follows:

• West End Animal Clinic - donates all veterinary services

• Human Society of Montgomery County - donated a bulletproof vest for "Dusty"

• Monetary Donations from - BT's restaurant, The Medicine Shoppe, Canton Restaurant, Bondurant Reality (Cedar Valley LLC), Davis, Davis and Davis attorneys, Renie Price, Eddie Caldwell, Elizabeth Fraley, Wachovia Bank, Shirley Bross, Edward Jervey,Irene Price, Judith Dodson, Sal's Pizza, Chief Harmon, Lovada Leonard Greta Williams, Catherine Millot, Highland Village Apartments, BCR Property  Management, and NewComb Electric.

Some of the accomplishments we have achieved over the last year are the following:

(1) Assisted the Virginia State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, Christiansburg Police Department, Blacksburg Police Department and the Town of Pulaski Police Department.

(2) Seized approximately 7 ounces of powder cocaine, 51 pieces of crack cocaine, numerous amounts of marijuana and assorted drug paraphernalia.

(3) Assisted in the apprehension of three suspects who fled from police, two of which we did by tracking the suspect

(4) Searched Radford City, Montgomery County, Narrows, and Christiansburg schools for drugs.