Page 11 - French and Electric Blue - Winter 2017-2018

about the seminar, Trooper Rei declared, “PACE the narcotics and was taken into custody. The
Training is unlike any other; it has changed the
way I patrol. The presentations were extremely
motivating and eye opening yet remarkably
Suspected cocaine from seizure by Trooper Stephen
Hazelton
practical. Right from the start I was pumped to
get back on the road to put this training to use.
Just days later, I made four arrests for trafficking
cocaine and definitely credit PACE… vehicle
operation, criminal indicators and body language
in relation to drug interdiction were textbook.”
On September 26, less than two weeks after indicators to look for and the class is extremely
attending his first PACE Seminar, Trooper Stephen motivational!”
Hazelton (81 RTT/SP-Sturbridge) made his first
st
trafficking arrest. He was on patrol on Route 84 in
Sturbridge when a random query of a registration
yielded a stolen motor vehicle alert. It was learned
that the rental vehicle, rented by the operator’s
girlfriend and long overdue, was reported stolen
by the rental company. Armed with his skills as a
PACE Graduate, Trooper Hazelton began to notice
indicators of narcotic activity. A K9 unit was
summoned to the scene and an exterior inspection
of the vehicle caused the dog to display numerous
positive alerts along the driver’s side of the vehicle.
Numerous clear plastic baggies containing crack
cocaine were located in the driver’s side door jam.
The operator admitted ownership of
F r en c h·a n d·E le c t r ic·B l ue·W in t er·2017/2018·p a g e·11
passenger, after being arrested on a warrant, was
discovered to be secreting crack cocaine in his
sock. While in the rear of the cruiser, the operator
tried to hide a clear plastic baggy, containing
approximately 62 grams of cocaine, under the
rear seat. In the end, the stop yielded two arrests
and a summons. The operator was charged
with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, trafficking
in cocaine, distribution of a Class B narcotic,
conspiracy to violate drug laws and a driving with
a suspended license. The passenger was charged
with possession of Class B and conspiracy to
violate drug laws. A third person was summonsed
as an accessory before the fact and conspiracy to
violate drug laws.
“After attending the seminar, I was able to
gain expert knowledge from numerous Troopers
across the Eastern Border of the United States,”
Trooper Hazelton stated. “Shortly after attending
the course, I conducted a motor vehicle stop
leading to a seizure of approximately 70 grams
of cocaine and over 20 bags of various amounts
of crack cocaine. This course taught me proper
road-side investigation techniques, follow-up
investigation skills such as obtaining search
warrants on telephones, and communicating
this information with local agencies. I would
highly recommend all law enforcement officials
attend this course. It teaches you what criminal
On October 3, a little over two weeks
after attending his first PACE Seminar, Trooper
Thomas Mace (82nd RTT/SP-Holden) made his
first trafficking arrest. He was on patrol on Route
290 in Worcester when he had occasion to stop a
vehicle for speeding. During the stop, the Trooper
detected a series of criminal indicators that he had
learned about at the seminar. The indicators led
him to suspect both the operator and passenger
of criminal enterprise. During exit orders, the
operator stated that he was in possession of a gun.
The Trooper located a knife, but no gun. The
operator then stated that he did not have a gun,
but had meant to say a knife. No firearm was
located.