Chief of Police, Waverly PD

The month of January resulted in fewer calls for service, with a total of 40 calls. This seasonal slowdown is typical for this time of year. However, despite the reduced call volume, January was anything but slow.

Throughout the month, department personnel were engaged in a wide range of activities, including attending training courses, completing end-of-year reports, meeting with vendors to review proposals for future projects and products that will strengthen the City of Waverly, and hosting public relations events such as Coffee With a Cop. In addition, future training events were scheduled and promoted, leaving little downtime.

As a small police department serving a closeknit community, there are limited opportunities to distribute responsibilities among additional personnel. In small communities, it is common for individuals to wear many hats and manage multiple duties that would otherwise be shared among larger agencies. Because of this, building knowledge and expanding skill sets is not only essential but often challenging.

Taking time to enhance skills and broaden experience may briefly interrupt daily services, but it ultimately allows us to better serve and protect our community. Without continued education and learning, we risk falling short—both professionally and in our service to the public.

Strong leadership is rooted in an expanded knowledge base, which is often reflected in effective decision-making and successful outcomes. As society continues to evolve and technology advances, ongoing training and skill development remain critical.

To support both personnel and community growth, the Waverly Police Department will be hosting several training events over the coming months. Some of these events are limited to law enforcement personnel, while others are open to the public.

Upcoming Training Events: Feb. 10, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. SFST Refresher (Law Enforcement Only) March 5, 6-7:30 p.m. First Impact (Open to the Public) March 17, 6- 7:30 p.m. Natural Gas Pipeline Safety (Open to the Public) In addition, several CPR certification classes are being scheduled. Dates, times, and costs will be announced soon.

For more information on these training opportunities, please contact Chief Stephen Phillips at the Waverly PD. Additional details on these courses will be shared in the near future.

At the Waverly Police Department, our commitment to professionalism, education, and community partnership remains at the forefront of everything we do. Through continued learning and engagement, we strive to better serve and protect the residents of Waverly today and into the future.