Law Enforcement

New law enforcement officers are ready to hit the streets. The latest graduating class from the law enforcement academy took the oath Friday. Twenty-one will be Wichita police officers, five are Sedgwick County sheriff's deputies. The new law officers will be paired with a veteran for the next twelve weeks as they apply what they learned in the classroom to real situations in the field. Sedgwick County Sheriff Bob Hinshaw told the graduates, "now your real education begins.

Not sure who you are going to vote for in the August 7 primary? Below is the recap of a live chat between the candidates for Sedgwick County Sheriff and District Attorney.  The candidates were at the KWCH studios for a forum Tuesday night. So, what do each of these positions entail?  FactFinder 12 breaks down the responsibilities of each of the two offices: Sedgwick County DA Candidate Info: Marc Bennett Kevin O'Connor District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District (Sedgwick County & Wichita)

You may have noticed some flags at half-staff on Friday, and wondered why. That's the day we honor fallen members of law enforcement. As the father of an officer, it hits particularly close to home. To those who wear the uniform, thank you for what you do. Roger

The two biggest races in Wichita and Sedgwick County in 2012 are for District Attorney and Sheriff. FactFinder 12 has broken down the job responsibilities of each position to help inform you, the voter. District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District (Sedgwick County & Wichita) Prosecutes violations of the criminal laws of Kansas; institutes proceedings to protect abused and neglected children; prosecutes juvenile offenders; secures care and treatment in alcohol, drug and mental commitment cases; appears before the appellate courts of Kansas, the federal courts and the United States Supreme Court regarding civil and criminal appeals; enforces the Kansas Consumer Protection Act and other statutory civil proceedings as provided by law; and provides services to victims and witnesses to ensure their fair treatment in the criminal justice system.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson has signed a bill into law that will ban texting while driving on state roads. The law was one of six measures the Democratic governor signed Monday, bringing the total to 155 sent to him from the 2010 legislative session. The texting ban takes effect when it's published in the Kansas Register. Through Jan. 11, 2011, law enforcement will only issue a warning to drivers who are stopped for texting while operating a vehicle. The fine will then be $60 after that date.

The grace period is ending for Kansas' new primary seat belt law. Starting June 30, law enforcement in Kansas will start handing out tickets instead of warnings for people who don't buckle up. The primary seat belt law went into effect June 10. It allows law enforcement to stop and ticket drivers and front-seat passengers who don't wear a seat belt, even if they have not committed another traffic violation. The law also allows police to issue a ticket for adults who are not buckled up in the back seat, but only if another citation is issued.

Hutchinson police have made two arrests in an overnight kidnapping and aggravated battery case. The incident happened around 2-am Friday, at 3200 Garden Grove Parkway. Officers were told by a female victim that she had been forced into one of the apartments at gunpoint, then battered by the armed suspect. They eventually arrested 24 year old Kayla Salyer. She has been charged with aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, two counts of criminal threat and felony interference with law enforcement.

The Riley County Police Department found 20-year-old Sam Harvill.  On Twitter, police stated Harvill was found Friday night by law enforcement.  It says he is in good physical condition.  Police thanked the public for their help with the search.  No other details about what happened available right now. Authorities started looking for him Thursday after his mom reported that no one had seen Harvill since 1:30 Wednesday afternoon....

Along with the River Festival, proms, and warmer weather (at least usually) there is something else that early May brings us. Each year at this time, the state pauses to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. A special memorial service was held at the state house Friday afternoon, including Governor Parkinson. This year, there was only one name to add to the list. That of Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputy Brian Etheridge. The 26-year-old Etheridge was shot to death last September outside a house on Rock Road near McConnell Air Force Base.

A new report from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation finds meth production and use continues to be a problem in Kansas According to the KBI, the number of meth houses seized in 2011 was higher than in years past. Law enforcement say this is because criminals are modifying the way they make the drug.  Authorities say instead of using lab equipment, criminals use things like soda bottles. It's a process called "one pot. " Criminals using this method produce less meth than the traditional method.  Dispite this, meth use has not gone down.