Avon, Indiana - May 2003
Located in east Hendricks County about 6 miles west of Indianapolis, Avon officially became a town in 1997. Avon offers small-town comfort and hospitality while providing immediate access to numerous metropolitan conveniences.

The Avon Police Department, led by Chief Jeff Ritorto, serves over 7,000 residents. However, with over 600 businesses, there are more than 12,000 additional visitors making their way about town daily and over 1,600 at night.

Avon Creates Police Department
Chief Ritorto began his career in 1974 with the Indianapolis Police Department (IPD). In 1996, he retired from the IPD as a sergeant and came to Avon to help start a Town Marshall Service. In 1998, the department transitioned into a full-fledged police department. As the new chief, his goal was to try and emulate his early experiences with the IPD. In his early days, it was common that veteran officers helped make new officers feel welcome and take them under their wing. In his later years, this family atmosphere began to dissipate to the point where he did not even know many of his fellow officers. When Chief Ritorto laid out his plans for the Avon Police Department, creating a family atmosphere was one of the first things on his list.

Chief Seeks Best for His Officers
Officer safety and well-being is a #1 priority for Chief Ritorto. He is "committed to seeing his personnel go home at night." His goal is to have "a progressive, modern, well-trained, and safe police department." To help meet this goal, the majority of his personnel are veterans with a minimum of a bachelor's degree. He has never had to discipline an officer and has no sick leave abuse. In addition, a model merit system is in the works. He also seeks out the best equipment and best training available.

SEMA Grant Awarded
In 2002, the State Emergency Management Agency obtained a grant from Homeland Security to purchase new personal protection equipment for police and firefighters throughout the state. Conditions for the grant require officers to be "operations-level" trained for hazardous materials. Avon has the first department in the state to comply with the grant requirements. Avon police officers go through extensive emergency preparedness training involving disaster training, evacuation routes and procedures, chemical training, and incident command post structure. The incident command post structure is even more important today, as the possibility of disasters has increased. They regularly practice their procedures in their community. "If it appears to the public that no one is in charge, there is a sense of panic. Training eases that panic", says the Chief.

CSX is a Terrorist Target
One of the unique community challenges in regard to disaster training involves the Avon CSX railroad yard; one of the state's highest terrorist targets. The rail carries hazardous materials, and military and nuclear shipments. Housing developments surround the rail yards and any leakage of chemicals could be disastrous. Officers train on evacuation and regularly test mass evacuations.

Wellness Has Been Good Investment
Keeping his personnel healthy is very important to Chief Ritorto. They receive complete physicals and fitness evaluations annually. His wellness program not only helps contain costs, but can lead to harder working, happier personnel as well. "If you have people who are sick a lot, instead of being encumbered by the added cost of replacing that manpower, invest in a wellness program to create a healthier department. Your officers will work harder if they know you are taking care of them," he says.

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© 2006 Public Safety Medical Services