THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 30, 1996 TAG: 9606280190
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 54 lines
Chesapeake Police Capt. J.E. Saunders, 50, will serve as a security team leader at the 1996 International Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta next month.
One thousand security team leaders will supervise about 4,500 volunteers, from all branches of the military and the law enforcement community. They are there to provide security for the 2 million visitors and 16,500 athletes and coaches from 200 countries who will attend the games.
The team leaders were selected from 6,000 applications from around the world. Of the 1,000 leaders chosen, three police officers from Virginia were selected.
In addition to Saunders, Sgt. Brenda G. Bowman and Master Police Officer Mark D. Bowman, husband and wife officers from the Virginia Beach Police Department, will make the trip to Atlanta.
``I am thrilled at the opportunity to work with various law agencies and with international law enforcement officials,'' Saunders said. ``Although I am going to work and to serve, it is also a phenomenal chance to share information and procedures that can be brought back to Chesapeake.''
Criminal activities develop patterns and fads that spread not only across the nation, but now across other countries. Saunders said as information is shared, potential problems could be recognized and preventive measures established.
Although asked to work for the entire Olympic season, Saunders said he could serve only from July 16 to Aug. 5 because of work commitments in the Chesapeake police department. Saunders is currently the commanding officer of the police academy.
Saunders said a year ago he filled out numerous forms, mailed packets and faxed data to the security committee about his background.
He is a graduate of Norview High School and a 27-year veteran of the Chesapeake Police Department. He has served as commanding officer of Uniform Patrol, Criminal Investigations, and Narcotics and Special Investigations. He also steps down this month after 22 years of service and more than 800 missions as the commanding officer of Special Operations or SWAT.
He was a member of the Virginia Army National Guard, which was later the Virginia Defense Force. From 1989 to 1993, Saunders commanded the Carlos Hathcock Ranger Squadron of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol. Now the Rangers have reorganized and have joined the Chesapeake Sheriff's Department as a volunteer search and rescue unit. Saunders is the commanding officer.
Saunders' background also includes the Southern Police Institute and the University of Louisville and the FBI Tactics School.
As ongoing training, he has observed and worked the streets with the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Sheriff's department, Philadelphia police and the Metro Dade County SWAT team in Florida. ILLUSTRATION: File photo by STEVE EARLEY
Police Capt. J.E. Saunders was chosen from among 6,000 applicants. by CNB