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Captain Lauren Pettey
Operations Division West
August 2024
Captain's Greetings
Hello from Operations Division West! My name is Lauren Pettey and I was recently promoted to Captain of the division on July 28, 2024.
I have been with the Tucson Police Department for over 15 years and have worked in the following assignments throughout my career: Patrol Officer, Undercover Narcotics, Detective in Child Crimes, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant for the Domestic Violence and Child Physical Abuse Units, Patrol Lieutenant, and my most recent assignment was as a Lieutenant in the Specialized Response Division that oversaw Air Support, Hostage Negotiations, Motors, DUI Squad, Traffic Investigations, Rapid Response Team, and Mobile Field Force.
I hold a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Administration from the University of Arizona and am about to wrap up a Master’s degree in Public Safety. I am excited to be back in the division, as I was an officer here from 2011 to 2013 and was a lieutenant here in 2021.
With this new opportunity, I look forward to providing officers with professional development, innovating effectively to solve problems and reduce crime, and fostering community trust. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to say hi, I can be reached at Lauren.Pettey@tucsonaz.gov.
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ODW Community Response Team is at it Again
On August 7, 2024, the Operations Division West Community Response Team was in the area of Ft. Lowell and Stone when they observed several narcotics transactions taking place at a nearby bus bench. The individuals selling the narcotics got into a car and a traffic stop was conducted. There was a firearm in plain view and three individuals exited the vehicle. A total of two guns, 88 grams of fentanyl, 36 grams of methamphetamine, 22 grams of black tar heroin, and 1,500 fentanyl pills were located in the car. All three subjects were prohibited possessors, not allowed to be in possession of a firearm. They were booked into jail on several felony charges. Great job, ODW CRT!
ODW Statistics
Activity
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Type
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2024 Division Year to Date
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2024 Department Year to Date
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Calls for Service
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23,575
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81,000
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Officer-initiated Activity
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8,966
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20,119
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Gun-related Crime
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33
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117
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Homicide
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9
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36
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Traffic Citations
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8,691
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27,103
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Staffing
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Type
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2024 Division Year to Date
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2024 Department Year to Date
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Sworn Members
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145
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800
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Community Service Officers
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33
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148
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Professional Staff
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4
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252
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ODW in the Community
Captain Pettey and Sergeant Guzman attended the annual Saguaro Miraflores Neighborhood Association meeting with Ward 1 Council Member Lane Santa Cruz to discuss crime prevention tips.
On August 6th, Community Service Officer David Chance helped pass out backpacks and popsicles to new students at Amphi Junior High School.
Operations Division West is continuing their partnership with the Mighty Mentor Program at Amphi for 6th and 7th graders this upcoming school year.
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Community Service Officer Monica VanNorman received her 25-year tenure pin from TPD Chief Chad Kasmar this month.
CSO VanNorman worked in TPD Records for five years before becoming a CSO.
Currently assigned to Operations Division West's Neighborhood Crimes Section (NCS), CSO VanNorman has been invaluable in that role.
Congratulations!
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Member Highlight
 On August 6, 2024, Sergeant Mark Holderness, Lead Police Officer Jocelyn Avilez, and Officers Saray Mojarro and Trevor Nesbitt responded to the Santa Cruz River near Prince Road for a report of a deceased male in the river. Officers located river access and established an investigative crime scene in rough terrain and under difficult conditions.
Officers then coordinated a response with the Office of the Medical Examiner (OME) and TPD Crime Scene Specialist Steven Agan to assist with the investigation.
The deceased male was in a body of flowing water near the river's edge. The officers negotiated the steep riverbank, entered the flowing water, and conducted a criminal investigation in dangerous terrain. Once officers completed their initial investigation, they worked with OME and safely removed the male from the water. The team of officers then carried the body a significant distance along the riverbank to solid and level ground, where custody was relinquished to OME – a recovery process that was similar to a swift water rescue.
Thanks to their work, this community member received respectful treatment and will receive a proper investigation into his demise.
Crime Prevention Tip
Back to school means students with bikes and that, unfortunately, brings out bike thieves.
So, how can you make your bike less of a target?
- Always lock your bike, no matter how long you'll be away from it or how much (or little) it cost.
- Lock the most expensive parts and take anything that's easily removed with you.
- Use a lock that can't easily be cut with bolt cutters or a hacksaw. Better yet, use two.
In case your bike is stolen, report it. Chances of recovery are not great, but they're nonexistent if you don't report. These steps may help.
- Photograph your bike and write down its serial number.
- Consider getting a bike GPS tracker and bike insurance.
Don't confront a thief, either in the act or later, if you see your bike being offered for sale online. Call the police. You may love your bike, but it's not worth your life.
For more information, check out: https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/how-to-prevent-bike-theft/
and https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/how-to-lock-a-bike-tips-on-proper-practice-to-prevent-bike-theft/
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August Event
 Thanks to all who joined us for the Battle of the Badges Basketball Tournament at the Donna Liggins Recreation Center on Saturday, August 24, 2024. Congratulations to TPD's team, which finished in third place. Everyone appreciated your support!
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