In this issue: Around The Nation: A coast-to-coast roundup of police news. Getting away with murder: Why it’s easier in Richmond. Awaiting the ax: What fate awaits FBI computer upgrade? Clearing the air: FCC makes more room at 800mhz for public safety. People & Places: Reluctant goodbye; Hoover cleans up; straight to the top; ready, aim, fired; lobbying for more in Montana. Small-town thinking: Portland follows others’ lead on weapons policy. Cat & mouse: Police innovate to keep pace with speeders. The face is familiar: Pressing the case for facial-recognition software. The paper chase: Cops swamped with unserved warrants. Breaking the chain: Additive may stick it to meth-makers. Keeping it real: “Reno 911!” is a spoof with an edge. Short Takes: Easy-to-digest news capsule. Making their case: Suspects tell their side of story to grand juries. Forum: You never stop learning. Making an impact: DoJ focuses on violent crime in 15 cities. Upcoming Events: Professional development opportunities. --top--

People & Places Reluctant goodbye      California Highway Patrol Commissioner Dwight “Spike” Helmick was in tears as he announced his departure from the agency in June, just three months shy of mandatory retirement age.      Helmick, 59, led the agency for nine years, the longest tenure of any commissioner in the past five decades. He was appointed in 1995 by then-Gov. Pete Wilson and reappointed by Wilson’s successor, Gray Davis. ... --top-- Hoover cleans up      The private sector has claimed Reno, Nev., Police Chief Jerry Hoover, who left law enforcement in June after 36 years to take a senior position with an international consulting firm.      Hoover led the Reno agency for seven years. Before that, he served as chief of the St. Joseph, Mo., Police Department for three years. “The average police chief lasts 30 months. I’ve lasted 120 months,” Hoover told The Associated Press.... --top-- Straight to the top      After two months as Minnesota’s acting commissioner of public safety, Michael Campion was given the job permanently in June.      Campion, 56, is a former narcotics agent with 32 years of service at the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Prior to becoming commissioner, Campion served as BCA’s superintendent — the first agent to rise to the bureau’s top rank.... --top-- Ready, aim, fired      After an eight-month suspension for publicly complaining about underfunding and understaffing at her agency, U.S. Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers has been fired.      Chambers was suspended and put under a gag order on Dec. 5 after telling various news media that the Park Police had a $12 million budget shortfall and would need $8 million for the upcoming fiscal year. She had been forced to cut back on patrols, Chambers said, because the Park Police are required to guard national monuments. ... --top-- Lobbying for more      New Montana Highway Patrol Chief Paul Grimstad says that additional hiring and higher pay for officers will be at the top of his administration’s agenda.      The 46-year Grimstad is the third person to lead the patrol in the past four years.... --top--