Chief Carter Takes Strides Towards the Future of SAPD

SAN ANGELO, TX- The San Angelo Police Department has undergone major changes since newly elected Police Chief Frank Carter took charge. LIVE! met with Chief Carter to discuss some of the initiatives he and his team have started in the department.  

Sector to District Policing 

Some of the direct initiatives include the change from sector-style policing of San Angelo to district policing. San Angelo was originally divided into four sectors, which took place for many years.

“What we essentially did was break up those four sectors into eight districts,” Chief Carter said.

This initiative makes the patrol areas smaller, and helps get the officers back into patrolling local neighborhoods.

Chief Carter mentioned that citizens throughout the campaign said they would feel safer by having police patrol their neighborhoods.  

“We want to get San Angelo back to what it used to be,” Chief Carter explained. “Officers used to talk and wave to residents regularly. Now, with the enhanced communication technology we have, officers don’t get the opportunity to speak with residents living in their district.”

He also said technology definitely yields great results for moving forward, but it’s important to take a step back and remember the reason why police officers are here in the first place.

“We need to step back and look at the bigger picture, with the ultimate goal being to serve and protect the people in this community.”

12-Hour Shifts

Another initiative Chief Carter implemented simultaneously is 12-hour shifts. Previously, officers worked 10-hour shifts.

This change allows officers to spend more time with their families on a monthly basis. The shift change started in late August; however, there is a slight learning curve introduced with the change. Most officers reported positive reviews with their new shifts.

Assistant Police Chief Tracy Fincher explained the shift configuration has been his main focus in the department.

“This program has put more manpower on the streets, and with the change only having happened last month, it will take time for everything to settle into place," Fincher explained.  

The new shift has increased the average officer patrol from being eight to 12 officers, to anywhere from 12 to 17 officers per shift.

Drug Enforcement

Chief Carter has also made strides in creating a task force to deal with drugs, which he believes is the main source of crime in San Angelo.  

“When I first got to this office, we combined Special Operations and the Narcotics Division to form as a unified Street Crimes Division.”

The initiative is headed by Lt. Ed Kading, who also leads the SWAT unit for the SAPD.

By having the new team led by one of SAPD’s best and brightest, the fight against drugs will begin making strides in reducing crime. As more officers join the department, Chief Carter said he hopes to expand the Street Crime Division as to better serve the community.

“I want to strengthen the street crime unit because I’ve always believed crime revolves around drugs,” Carter said.  

Patrolman for Life:

Chief Carter made it very clear that despite his new position, which takes on a more administrative role, he still wants to wear the uniform, carry his badge and gun, and makes a commitment to patrol at least once a week.

“Just because I’m the elected chief, I still have my badge and gun, and [nobody] can take the patrolmen out of me,” he stated. “I am a police officer just like the rest out there, and I should be willing to do what each one of those officers do every day.”

Most Noticeable Crimes

Some of the crimes Chief Carter noted to be most popular in occurrence are car burglaries and stolen guns.

“From January to April, there have been an alarming amount of car thefts and guns being stolen,” Chief Carter said.

He acknowledged that even though car thefts have been occurring around ASU recently, these happen all over San Angelo.

“Car burglaries seem to come in waves,” he explained. “There can be accounts where 15 to 20 occur around the same time.”

New Faces of SAPD

With 13 new cadets recently graduating from the SAPD Academy on September 3rd, Chief Carter is excited to have these officers join the ranks after completing the Ride Along program.

He hopes to use the new officers to increase the traffic section of the department and reduce the amount of vehicle accidents that occur. Some will also move to the Patrol Unit, which will better the initiative of getting officers back to neighborhood patrol.  

When asked about opportunities to have other graduates in the future, Chief Carter stated there are vacancies for at least 10 to 12 positions with the department.

He encouraged those who want to do their part by protecting the city to apply though the Personnel Office at City Hall.

As the SAPD continues to go in a new direction, Chief Carter said he will continue to find new ways to improve the lives of his officers, and in turn, the lives of San Angelo citizens.