
	*Ask a Deputy*

This page contains answers from Wood County Deputies to questions that you ask. If you would like to ask a deputy a question, submit one in the post below. Feel free to read the questions and answers below, as well as the Feature of the Week, where a deputy will provide information on various items.

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** UPDATE ON SOME "ASK A DEPUTY" QUESTIONS:

Several citizens have submitted questions about both WV Firearms laws and Conceal/Carry permits. We have created a link of a synopsis of WV State laws on purchase, possession and carrying of firearms. Click here to view this article.

Project

Questions:

I was wondering how to get a Neighborhood Watch program started in our Neighborhood. It seems like we been lucky about crime here but in the many years I've been here but it seems to have gotten worse for car break ins. Last this week our Neighbor had her car broke into. The suspects parked right in front of her house with the car running and headlights on and took about 3 minutes to rummage through her car and destroyed her dash to find that the radio was secured a little too well. Did I mention this was right under a street light? One of my vehicles was broke into last year also. Sometimes, lawnmower gas gets taken. We have street lights here but it seems to not detour thieves. This has to stop! I know someone told me to ask a law enforcement agency so this is my question. Thanks for your time.

Answer:

Thanks for the question. Let me assure you first of all that we are equally concerned about the recent rash of car break-ins and are actively working this, we do have a suspect vehicle and a couple of arrests have been made already. If you want, let me know your neighborhood and I will personally file a "road patrol request" for our road deputies to work extra watch in this area. As far as a Neighborhood watch program, while we don't have a deputy assigned to the startup of this program, the National Sheriff's Association helps sponsor the Neighborhood Watch program, here is a link to their site... http://www.ncpc.org/topics/neighborhood-watch Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns!

Detective Barry A. Murphy
Wood County Sheriff's Office

Questions: As the mother of 5 and grandmother of 6, and one who has tried to keep up with the current trends, I am finding the overwhelming amount of information available to young people on the internet astounding. I'm certain that MySpace is not the only place that predators are lurking but I have visited there just to see what kind of place it really is and am a bit stunned at all of the words and pictures our youth are willing to share with strangers. Since I am on Disability and spend quite a bit of time on my computer, how would I go about volunteering myself as a person to monitor websites such as the one I mentioned? I don't want to just "put myself out there" and have you think that I am a pervert, but I don't know who else I can get information such as this from. Thank you for any consideration you give to answering this question.

Answer:

Thank you for your question. I certainly wish that more people took an active interest in internet safety and I really appreciate your concern. While there are several web site "watch" groups out there, all of them have strict guidelines on specific training requirements and are law enforcement specific, such as the FBI's Innocent Images program or Operation Blue Ridge Thunder handled by officers in our regions. The most helpful thing, in my opinion, is to report any questionable sites or items to either myself or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. NCMEC is dedicated to protecting children online and actively work with law enforcement. I have personally spoken with them..... they had received a complaint from a citizen concerning a local man possibly interacting with children. They have a great web site, which I will give you a link to. Also, the NetSmarz.org site has great information and helpful advice about protecting children, as well as fun games for children to play and learn. I have given speeches to students using some of their presentations (I will gladly talk to any child about this if requested). We have links to these sites on our web site. Here is a list I think you will find helpful, starting with a letter to parents from the FBI site.... http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: http://www.missingkids.com/

NetSmartz: http://www.netsmartzkids.org/ If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time, and remember, contact me anytime with concerns about web sites. Thank you again for your question and offer of help!

Detective Barry A. Murphy

Wood County Sheriff's Office

Questions:
I would like to know if you have lived in Wood Count for more than 30 days do you have to change to West Virginia plates? Are you allowed to use one set of plates for 2 vehicles? Where could I get info on laws concerning pets? Barbara B.

Answer: Barb, Thank you for your question. Yes, in West Virginia you do have to switch to WV registration if you have lived here for 30 days or more. You are not permitted to use the same plates on 2 vehicles. For any questions concerning pets, you can contact the local Humane Society or anyone here at the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, or even check the WV State Code concerning the Department of Natural Resources. I hope this helps, feel free to contact us at anytime with any questions! Thank you, Detective Barry Murphy

Question: I have a daughter who is interested in law enforcement. I wanted to know more about the junior deputy program. Is it a program for young people interested in law enforcement careers?? Please tell me more about this or any programs available to youth. Thanks

Answer: Thank you for your question. The Wood County Sheriff’s Office does not currently have a junior deputy program, although we are open to the public for any tour or questions. The West Virginia Sheriff’s Association holds an annual camp, usually in July, for juveniles interested in law enforcement. This camp consists of several classes teaching the juveniles such related topics as fingerprinting, evidence, etc. When information becomes available on this camp, it will be posted in the “news” section of our web site. We are more than happy to meet with interested juveniles and answer any questions that they may have. Again, thank you for your question, and please feel free to contact us at any time.

Sincerely, Detective Barry Murphy

Questions: How long does it take for one to get into law enforcement? One who has 2 misd from 11 years ago? Is it worth trying? Or should one give up? Timothy D.

Answer: Timothy, Thank you for your question. To get into law enforcement, there are usually a few steps one must do. 1^st of all you would have to take a civil service or other police exam. The top scorers on this test are asked to complete a physical agility test, which may vary by state or department, but usually includes running at least a mile and a half, push-ups, sit-ups, and a flexibility segment. Those that pass this are then interviewed and possibly asked to complete a polygraph exam and drug screenings. Once hired, a recruit is required to attend the state police academy (which in WV lasts approx. 4 months), to become certified. A background check is conducted on applicants, but depending on the crime, a misdemeanor from 11 years ago may not necessarily preclude you from being hired. Any type of domestic violence conviction however would eliminate you from consideration. I hope that this helps answer your question, please feel free to contact us at any time for further assistance. Detective Barry Murphy

Q:... if a individual is extradited on a warrent from another state to ohio for identity thieft.. is bond likely and how much time is givin on a conviction??
thanks u
A:...Thank you for your question. Even though Ohio laws may vary from time to time from West Virginia, the rules of Extradition are usually pretty similar. First of all, once a person is arrested in another state from the state that issued a warrant, the arrestee has a choice to either waive extradition or to request a hearing on the matter. In the event that the person is then extradited to the original state, an arraignment hearing will be set, and the issue of bond will be addressed. Depending on the circumstances, such as, if the person is considered a fugitive, a bond amount will be set. In the event of a person attempting to post a bond, there will be several conditions set, such as that the person cannot leave the state, etc. During the arraignment process, the person in custody will be advised of their rights and the charge(s) and possible penalties upon conviction will be explained. You should contact the local Prosecuting Attorney's Office to receive a criminal code site for the crime and the possible penalties. Thank you, please feel free to contact us at any time with any further questions.

Sincerely,

Detective Barry Murphy

Q: ... I am very impressed by the level of professionalism and integrity with the Wood County Sheriff's Department, and I would like to be a part of the team. What is the best way to obtain an employment packet from your department? How many deputies are there for Wood County, are you looking to hire anymore? Thank you for your time,

-- Gene H. Spokane, WA

A: Detective B.A. Murphy, 1st Vice President of the Wood County Deputy Sheriff's Association replies:

Gene: Thank you for your interest in the Wood County Sheriff's Department. We currently employ 38 deputies, plus civilian bailiffs for the various courts. Unfortunately we are not scheduled to test for new deputies until the first of the year in 2006. This information will be posted in the news section of our deputy's association web site. When we do test, feel free to contact our office and I will gladly send you an application. We also have Reserve Deputies, who volunteer their time to assist Deputies and transport various individuals. Again, thanks for your question, and feel free to contact us at any time with questions, or suggestions. Your question may also be posted on our web site.

Q: I'm close to graduating from WVU-Parkersburg with a Bachelor's of Applied Technology degree and I've begun looking into computer forensics as a possible career. In your opinion, how great a demand is there for computer forensic specialists specifically and Information Technology graduates in general in the law enforcement field?

--
Kevin Lebo, CCAI, CCNA, MCP

A: Detective C.S. Waldron, a member of the detective bureau, who helped investigate one of the largest child pornography cases in the United States replies:

Kevin,Thank you for your question. I believe that there is a tremendous demand for computer forensic specialists in law enforcement today and in the future. Crime involving computers, including fraud and child pornography cases, has increased dramatically with the popularity of the internet. Often, when submitting a pc for forensic evaluation, the wait time can be a year or more. You should contact the FBI forensic section or check out the hyperlink below to read further about their forensic program. If you have any more questions, call us anytime. Your question will also be posted on our web-site for you and others to read.

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/org/cart.htm