Police Officer of the Month

December 2006

CPL Cory Zirk

Cpl Cory Zirk has been selected by Chief William J. McMahon as Police Officer of the Month for December 2006. During the month she had 15 arrest situations, ten of which were insights. Additionally, she received two Memorandums of Recognition for her outstanding performance. Below are highlights from her December performance:

Weapons Violation Arrest: Zirk responded to a suspicious vehicle call in the 7200 blk of Talisman Lane. Upon arrival, she observed a Cadillac with five subjects inside. She obtained identification from all of them. Zirk noticed that two of the subjects resided in the 6500 blk of Wingflash Lane and recognized the address from the weekly area checklist for suspected drug activity. She called K-9 to respond for a vehicle scan. The dog alerted on the vehicle and she conducted a vehicle search where she recovered a 9mm handgun that was loaded with 15 rounds. She arrested the subjects involved and sent out an e-mail alert advising of the arrest. Post-arrest, she was advised by Vice & Narcotics that they were watching the Wingflash Lane address and it was her arrest that gave them enough information for a search warrant on the residence. When the search warrant was served, they recovered two stolen vehicles stored in the garage, drug paraphernalia and another gun. Information was also received that led to the recovery of seven other stolen vehicles.

Wanted Subject/CDS Violation: Zirk was in the area of Majors Lane when she observed a vehicle being driven with dark tinted windows. She executed a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the occupants. She identified the driver, ran a wanted check on him and found out that he had an open HCPD warrant. She placed the subject under arrest and searched his vehicle. While searching the vehicle, she recovered a white-colored substance wrapped in plastic that was the size of a bar of soap. The substance was determined to be Methamphetamine. Vice & Narcotics advised that pure Methamphetamine the size of a bar of soap had a large monetary street value. Zirk arrested the driver for possession of CDS and arrested the other two occupants for CDS possession on a warrant obtained the next day.

Shoplifting: Zirk responded to J.C. Penney near the end of her shift for juvenile shoplifters that had walked out of the store with an armful of clothing. She conducted an investigation and determined that the juveniles needed to be taken into custody and charged with Theft. Zirk knew night shift was busy so she took the arrest. As a result, she was required to stay on after her shift ended to complete the investigation and appropriate paperwork.

Motor Vehicle Violation: Zirk was patrolling in the area of Oakland Mills when she observed a vehicle with a tag light out. She stopped the vehicle. The driver had no license with him and was Hispanic. Through an interpreter, she was able to establish that the driver never had a driver’s license. Zirk arrested the driver and charged him with Driving Without A License.

Cpl Zirk is described as a hard-working officer who is always enthusiastic and supportive of the department’s goals and objectives. She spends her day initiating quality traffic stops that often result in arrest situations. When she is acting supervisor, she makes mature and intelligent decisions and quickly gained the trust of the members on the squad.

Congratulations to Cpl Cory Zirk on her selection as Police Officer of the Month for December 2006.