Latest news with #ExplorerScout
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Suniga looking forward to job as Ritzville PD chief
Apr. 8—RTIZVILLE — New Ritzville Police Chief Mike Suniga said he's learned a lot over his law enforcement career. "I got hooked when I was an Explorer Scout," he said. "It was just one of those things where I could see myself doing this and see myself making a career. And as I matured in law enforcement, I (thought), 'How am I going to leave a lasting impact?' I love helping people, and I love being able to solve problems, whether it's through the criminal justice system or through other systems and programs that are available." Suniga took over the job Monday. Previously, he was the Reardon Police chief, and before that, he worked for the Airway Heights Police Department for 15 years, he said. He started his career in Medical Lake. He also served in the Washington Air National Guard, retiring in 2022. "I did 21 and a half years in the Air National Guard as a security (officer)," he said. Suniga replaces interim chief Bill Benner, who replaced longtime RPD Chief Dave McCormick. McCormick was with the department for 32 years. His goals in law enforcement changed a little bit over time, Suniga said, and that evolution was one of the things that brought him to Ritzville. "Medical Lake was more of a bedroom community. When I went to Airway (Heights) I was a younger officer, ready for more excitement. I got a lot of it," he said. Now he wants to pass on what he's learned to his new department. "In December, I will hit 20 years being a full-time law enforcement officer. I want to be able to share my knowledge and further develop the agency and create a lasting benchmark on the agency that everyone will be excited about," Suniga said. He's talked to Benner and McCormick, he said, and wants to build on the work they've done. "In doing my research and homework, I know that there's a great opportunity for growth in Ritzville, (for the) Ritzville police to do some good things in the community, as far as expansion and things like that. Bringing in a different way of looking at law enforcement, but keeping that small-town feel, is what I'm excited to bring," Suniga said. One of his initiatives, he said, will be to increase the use of technology, something he was able to do in Reardon. "I love using technology to help officers. In Reardon, I was able to acquire about $90,000 worth of grant money that went towards technology and improvements on different things that Reardon couldn't necessarily afford without those grants," he said. "I want to leverage those technologies to make policing and Ritzville safer." Ritzville has four police officers, including the chief, with the potential of hiring a fifth. Retaining officers is difficult for any agency these days, he said, especially smaller agencies. One of his goals is to make Ritzville a department where officers come to stay for a while. "Coming up with unique strategies that may not have been used in these small communities. A good example is (Ritzville) recently (allowed) applicants to live up to 30 miles outside the community," he said. There are more opportunities like that, he said. "Maybe (recruiting) applicants from out of state, who maybe are ready to retire and are looking at having another career or looking at part-time officers to help supplement the (department), or maybe even reserve officers," Suniga said. "I'm looking forward to presenting and trying those options to see how we can get Ritzville to keep and maintain its law enforcement to a standard that the community and the council and the mayor want." Ritzville is a small town, but because it's on major highway routes, its officers can encounter problems that start out of town. Suniga said he's familiar with that since Airway Heights and Reardon also are on important transportation routes. Given the traffic volumes, incidents are going to happen, he said. "Preparing our officers for that eventuality, making sure they have the training they need, the equipment they need and the support they need so that when that happens, they are able to handle that situation," he said. He's looking forward to the job, he said. "I'm very excited to better understand the needs and the priorities of the department and go out and meet the community, understand what their needs are as it relates to law enforcement," he said.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Driver using WhatsApp killed teen crossing road
A 25-year-old woman has been jailed for five and a half years after hitting a 14-year-old boy who was crossing a road while she was distracted by a messaging app. Christopher Arnett was killed after being hit by a car driven by Evie Wiles in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, on 2 February 2023. Judge Andrew Hatton said Wiles, of Hemel Hempstead, had gone through a red light at a junction and been distracted by a WhatsApp conversation. Wiles, who was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving at a trial earlier this year, has been sentenced at Luton Crown Court. The judge said he rejected Wiles's account that the traffic light was on amber on the evening of the collision. He said Wiles had been exchanging WhatsApp messages with her partner, who she had been travelling to collect. "I'm satisfied you were distracted by your phone and that exchange of messages," the judge said. The boy's mother Claire Arnett, who is a teacher, addressed Wiles in the dock, and said: "You've not once said sorry... you never even called 999." Wiles looked straight ahead as she was sentenced. She was told she could be released on licence after serving half of this. She was banned from driving for five years, with an extension of 30 months "intended to ensure that on your release you're subject to a ban of around five years". Christopher's parents Claire and Lee Arnett, who live in Hemel Hempstead, said in a statement: "Losing a child is painful enough, but the brutal way that Christopher was taken from us will haunt us until our dying breaths." They said they had been "forced" to go through the "trauma of a trial". "We are pleased that she has finally been made to face the consequences of her actions, although we are disappointed by her sentence. "Nothing will ever bring our boy back, but it would have at least given us some comfort if we felt that the punishment fitted the crime." They said Christopher had been an Explorer Scout and was about to start his Duke of Edinburgh Award. "He was in the top set for every subject at school, but more than that he was kind," they said. "Our lives will never be the same again. Our house is no longer a home. "We can't escape the life sentence she has left us with, but if any good can come from this, it is that this will serve as a warning to other drivers of the devastating, life-changing consequences of dangerous driving and using their phones at the wheel." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Boy struck by car while crossing road dies HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Driver using WhatsApp killed teen crossing road
A 25-year-old woman has been jailed for five and a half years after hitting a 14-year-old boy who was crossing a road while she was distracted by a messaging app. Christopher Arnett was killed after being hit by a car driven by Evie Wiles in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, on 2 February 2023. Judge Andrew Hatton said Wiles, of Hemel Hempstead, had gone through a red light at a junction and been distracted by a WhatsApp conversation. Wiles, who was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving at a trial earlier this year, has been sentenced at Luton Crown Court. The judge said he rejected Wiles's account that the traffic light was on amber on the evening of the collision. He said Wiles had been exchanging WhatsApp messages with her partner, who she had been travelling to collect. "I'm satisfied you were distracted by your phone and that exchange of messages," the judge said. The boy's mother Claire Arnett, who is a teacher, addressed Wiles in the dock, and said: "You've not once said sorry... you never even called 999." Wiles looked straight ahead as she was sentenced. She was told she could be released on licence after serving half of this. She was banned from driving for five years, with an extension of 30 months "intended to ensure that on your release you're subject to a ban of around five years". Christopher's parents Claire and Lee Arnett, who live in Hemel Hempstead, said in a statement: "Losing a child is painful enough, but the brutal way that Christopher was taken from us will haunt us until our dying breaths." They said they had been "forced" to go through the "trauma of a trial". "We are pleased that she has finally been made to face the consequences of her actions, although we are disappointed by her sentence. "Nothing will ever bring our boy back, but it would have at least given us some comfort if we felt that the punishment fitted the crime." They said Christopher had been an Explorer Scout and was about to start his Duke of Edinburgh Award. "He was in the top set for every subject at school, but more than that he was kind," they said. "Our lives will never be the same again. Our house is no longer a home. "We can't escape the life sentence she has left us with, but if any good can come from this, it is that this will serve as a warning to other drivers of the devastating, life-changing consequences of dangerous driving and using their phones at the wheel." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Boy struck by car while crossing road dies HM Courts & Tribunals Service
