Police Department
MISSION STATEMENT:
The philosophy of the Buena Vista Police Department is to create and sustain a safe community for its citizens. We are a group of caring professionals who deliver service in a realistic, sensitive and positive manner. We are committed to serve, protect and enhance the quality of life throughout our community.
VISION STATEMENT:
The Buena Vista Police Department strives to follow to the highest standards and reflect the diversity of the community members. The people of our community and members of the Police Department must be united in their commitment to addressing crime, violence, and quality-of-life issues by engaging one another in problem-solving partnerships. Recognizing that honesty is the foundation of our profession, we try to preserve and protect the public trust placed in us by following to the highest standards of honesty and ethical practice.
Our Staff
Wendell Faulk
Chief of Police
The Chief of Police is responsible for planning, directing, and controlling all functions of the Police Department.
Chief Wendell Faulk took office on September 12, 2018. Chief Faulk began his career as a Police Officer on May 13, 1985, with the City of Buena Vista. As a Police Officer, he served in the County Jail as a Jailer/Radio Operator for one year. In the year of 1986, he entered the Columbus Regional Police Academy. Upon graduation, he was assigned to a field training officer where he continued training as a police officer with the City of Buena Vista. After his promotion to Sergeant, he served as Senior Patrol Officer where he was the frontline supervisor who planed, assigned, reviewed, and evaluated work of others. After his promotion to Assistant Chief of Police, he was assigned to provide assistance to the chief and to implement departmental policies, procedures, and activities. In June 2018, Chief Faulk was appointed Acting Chief, and in September, 2018, he was appointed Chief.
Chief Faulk has served his country with distinction in the United States Marine Corps active-duty (November 1978 – November, 1982) after which he transitioned to Marine Reserve until
November, 1992. Chief Faulk has an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Chattahoochee Valley Community College. He also has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services from Troy State University. Chief Faulk has given 36 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Buena Vista, Georgia/Marion County.
Sharon Williams
Assistant Chief
Assistant Chief Williams has been associated with the field of criminal justice since 1998 when she began her career as a law enforcement officer. She graduated from the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Columbus GA. Since that time, she has worked as a patrol officer, field training officer and sergeant. She is currently assigned to the administrative services where as she manage the operation of the administrative functions of the Buena Vista Police Department. She was promoted to her current rank in 2018 and has been with Buena Vista PD for the last 24 years. She worked as a 911 communications officer from 2014-2019 (5 years) with the Middle Flint Regional 911 Center. Chief Williams oversees the day-to-day operations of the department. She manages the budget, expenditures, and all administrative services for the department.
Vacant
Sergeant
Officer Rushin
Officer
Jeremy Serrano-Velez
Officer
Vacant
Part-Time Officer
Sandifer
Part-Time Officer
EZ COURT PAY
Welcome to the online Traffic Ticket payment page for the City of Buena Vista, GA, where debit or credit cards are accepted. Note there is a service fee charged by a third-party company, EZ Court Pay, to cover the cost of this convenient and secure payment service.
If you cannot pay the fine in full or have a question specific to your citation other than payment, you will have to call the court directly at 229-649-7888
https://ezcourtpay.com/TixBS/Default.aspx
UP COMING EVENTS: Sorry but no current events at this time.
GA Sex Offenders
https://state.sor.gbi.ga.gov/Sort_Public/
Accident Reports – COST $5
Contact the Police Department to get a copy
BUENA VISTA MUNICIPAL COURT
The purpose of the Buena Vista Municipal Court is to handle misdemeanor cases, traffic and non-traffic citations.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Take pleas of GUILTY on traffic and non-traffic cases that appear on the court docket
- Process traffic and non-traffic cases turned in by police officers
- Issue warrants for citizens with probable cause
- Prepare documents for court
- Process warrants from court
- Complete necessary paperwork for community service and probation orders
- Appeals, forfeitures, appearance bonds
Pertinent Information
Payment received by mail or drop box should be in the form of Money Order or Cashier’s Check; NO personal checks accepted. There is a 24-hour drop box available at City Hall. Payment must be in our office at least 24 hours prior to the court date on the ticket.
Traffic tickets or non-traffic tickets that are listed on the court docket can be paid at the window by the person that received the citation. You cannot pay someone else’s ticket unless they have already been in in front of the judge.
If you are unclear about your court date or the amount of the fine, please call 229.649.7888 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Eastern Time.
Please Note: If the case is not paid before your court date or you do not appear in court, a warrant of arrest will be issued and your driver’s license will be suspended.
Tips on Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention
During the month of July, vehicle break-ins were on the rise across the city. Thieves are looking for easy opportunities, and they don’t target a specific neighborhood.
Vehicle burglaries are a crime of opportunity that can happen anytime, day or night. In most cases, these crimes happen because personal items like purses, laptops, clothes, or other electronics are left in plain sight.
Remember, anything can be of value to a thief. It only takes a few seconds for a thief to smash a window and grab your belongings, leaving you with an unexpected expense and a major headache.
There are however easy steps you can take to help prevent becoming a target:
1. Make sure your windows are rolled up, doors are locked and keys not left in the vehicle.
2. Don’t leave anything of value inside your car – even if the doors are locked hide your personal belongings. If you leave property visible in your vehicle, your vehicle is automatically a target.
3. Keeping your car clean will keep the thieves out.
4. Always be aware of your surroundings.
5. Park your car in a well-lit and visible location.
6. Keep cell phone cords and other electronic accessories out of sight. Burglars are willing to break a window when they see a cord because there is a chance that a device will be in the vehicle.
7. Burglars are able to detect the Bluetooth signal on electronic devices. Place your electronics in airplane mode or turn off the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi option, then power off your electronic devices. Put away devices before you get to the parking lot or your driveway.
Services
- Preserving the public peace
- Protecting life and property
- Detecting, arresting and prosecuting offenders of the laws of the jurisdiction
- Directing and controlling traffic
- Providing attendance and protection during emergencies
- Providing appearances in court
- Cooperating with all other law enforcement agencies
- Providing training for the efficiency of its members and officers
- Responds to many types of local incidents, including violent crimes, property crimes, traffic offenses, and public disturbances such as noise complaints