Law Enforcement

Years ago, parents stood in line at special events to get their children fingerprinted or have a special photo ID card made.  Today, giving police information about your missing child is just an app away. The FBI says its Child ID app has been downloaded more than 80,000 times.  The app allows parents to store a child's picture and vital information on their phone and email it directly to police with the touch of a button. "The sooner that we have the information that will be helpful such as photographs, physical descriptions and any other things that we can use as identifiers, the better," said Lt. Jeff Weible of the Wichita/Sedgwick County Missing and Exploited Child Unit.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and several area police departments clear dozens of warrants in the county’s latest warrant sweep. On October 12, the office took part in the 8th Annual National Family Violence Warrant Apprehension Detail. This year’s program involved more than 150 law enforcement agencies nationwide and focused on clearing warrants for people wanted in family violence matters. Other agencies that took part include the police departments in Bel Aire, Derby, Park City, Wichita, Maize and Haysville, along with the Kansas State Parole office.

By Melody Pettit (Salina, Kan.) A Smolan man who was shot Saturday by a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper after a chase made his first appearance by video Wednesday morning in Saline County District Court. Forty-six year old Charles Dinneen's bond was set $500,000. There was also a no contact order entered. He is to complete an application for appointed counsel and the case will be called Thursday morning at 8:30 to review that application. Further court dates will be set then.

A Kingman County judge will allow statements Brett Seacat made during interviews before he was arrested to be used in court during his trial. A judge made the ruling Wednesday afternoon after hearing arguments from both sides. "I did ask him specifically if he had killed his wife, and he said no," said Kansas Bureau of Investigations Special Agent David Falletti. That was one of the comments that came under question Wednesday in Kingman County District Court. Brett Seacat said it to Falletti right after his arrest in May 2011.

The FBI is investigating several suspicious letters sent to congressional offices across the country.  Senator Pat Roberts received one of the letters at his Wichita office Thursday. Wichita's haz mat team is at Robert's office right now investigating.  Traffic in the area of 1st and Market has been impacted by the activity. Wichita police say the letter Roberts received contained a white powdery substance.  Several other members of congress received similar letters this week.

Kansas state lawmakers are looking for a way to tighten sex trafficking laws in Kansas.  State officials are working with law enforcement agencies to design a bill to reduce sex trafficking of minors. The bill would increase penalties for those who entice children into the industry. Attorney General Derek Schmidt, law enforcement agencies and judges are all working together on the bill. The Kansas Department of Children and Families will help children involved in the sex industry to get help.

Wichita Police Captain Jeff Easter will continue his campaign for Sedgwick County Sheriff.  Easter won the Republican primary Tuesday night.  He'll now face Democratic candidate Jefrey Weinman in November. Easter beat Sheriff Bob Hinshaw with 73% of the vote.  Easter received 30,261 votes and Hinshaw received 10,667 votes. Easter says early on in his career his goal was to either become Chief of Police or Sheriff.  "Tonight I'm a step closer to fulfilling my dream of becoming Sedgwick County Sheriff," he said.

(HUTCHINSON, Kan.) Just days after a man was arrested with two loaded guns in a Reno County courtroom, county commissioners ask what it'll take to make the courthouse safe. Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson talked to commissioners Tuesday morning about security concerns.  The courthouse complex, which includes a law enforcement center addition, has four public entrances.  There also aren't any permanent metal detectors set up due to funding and personnel shortages. Last Friday, a 29-year-old man became upset during a paternity hearing.

(WICHITA, Kan.) For more than two decades an organization has been around for the sole purpose of helping the friends and family of fallen law enforcement officers. Concerns of Police Survivors, or "COPS," has a Kansas chapter and members say they've already reached out to the Etheridge family. It's been 28 years since Toyia Bulla said goodbye to her father. "It's a traumatic event and with a traumatic event you're going to experience triggers over and over again and things like yesterday are definitely a trigger.

By Kim Wilhelm (SCHULTE, Kan.) They stood in silence.  Flags in hand.  Respect in their hearts.  Hours before Sedgwick County Deputy Brian Etheridge's funeral, members of the Patriot Guard were already in place.   They lined the entrance to the church, creating a powerful and patriotic sight for all who entered. "We're behind the family 100 percent," said Patriot Guard member Scott Hanson.  "We're really sorry for the tragic event that happened. " Etheridge was killed in the line of duty Monday.