Lincoln Police Department annual report

[June 18, 2008]  Text of report presented May 19: 

Mayor, City Council, Mr. Bates, Department Heads, members of the Media, and Citizens of Lincoln:

Last May I took over the reins of the Lincoln Police Department during a period of time filled with controversy. On my first day, I held a departmental meeting outlining my agenda and giving the officers specific direction regarding my expectations. I really wasn’t sure how I was received, but for the most part, I had a sense that the response was favorable. I established minimum performance standards from the outset. Those standards were measurable and most officers attained them on a regular monthly basis. I am pleased to report that they continue to do so. I told the officers that I expected them to be on the street, performing their duties and interacting with our citizens.

-- I have conducted periodic Command Meetings to review policy changes, discuss officer performance, training, current issues, procedures, and citizen concerns.

--Worked with Mr. Bates and the Council to change the City Ordinance creating position of Deputy Chief appointed by the Chief.

--Implemented "directed patrols" based on traffic crash mapping and focusing on high accident areas. Officers concentrated on the following traffic violations:

Speeding

Improper lane usage

Failure to signal

Improper turns

Following too close

Seat belts

--Reports of call -- fiscal year

Dispatched calls, 8,061 --
Average of 671/month
Does not include self-initiated traffic stops & officers receiving complaints from the public

Arrived on scene, 11,958 -- Average of 1,000/month

Criminal statistics, 661 arrests

Traffic crashes , 516

Traffic Citations, 1,591

Written Warnings, 1,903

--LPD has an excellent working relationship with the Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Suppression Unit, detectives, and patrol officer. The Sheriff’s Department has assisted LPD on numerous occasions. I appreciate the Sheriff and his staff’s support.

--One year ago today we lost Officer Todd Blaum in a traffic accident. As terrible as that event was, it brought the agency together in a manner that made me proud to share the same uniform with each of them.

--Corporal Mark Coons, Sergeant Tom Rowland, Sergeant Doug Grieser, and Assistant Chief Harley Mullins retired. These four officers left with a combined total of 114 years experience.

--Hired four officers of which the last three graduated from the PTI on May 8th.

--Promoted one officer to Corporal and have one officer assigned as an Acting Corporal.

--Established new protocols for dealing with mental health subjects.

--Written new policies for Use of Force and Pursuit Driving, along with numerous other draft policy revisions.

--Issued numerous directives, involving a myriad of issues tweaking the way we do business. IE: Use of the Taser, Searches Incident to Arrest, Dealing with Mental Health Subjects, Etc.

--Established a positive working relationship with Logan County Emergency Management.

--Worked very closely with Lincoln Community High School and Lincoln Junior High School in identifying those students responsible for two separate bomb threats.

--I receive numerous phone calls from concerned citizens regarding questions about reports taken by LPD Officers. Either myself, or the Deputy Chief respond to every inquiry and when appropriate meet with and personally discuss any issues of concern. In the vast majority of the cases, we are successful in resolving those issues conveyed to us. There are however, some issues that are not satisfactorily resolved.

I received three applications for the position of Deputy Chief. Each officer went through a very comprehensive project, requiring countless hours, testing their skills for the position. An oral interview of each was conducted, in which I selected, with your approval, Deputy Chief Geriets. The new Deputy Chief is doing a great job.

I worked vigorously with the Lincoln Police and Fire Commissioners to drastically overhaul the procedures utilized in the selection process for new officer candidates. Applicants now undergo a physical agility test, written examination, an extensive background check, psychological examination, polygraph test, full medical examination, and oral interview. This process is working extremely well as we have three new officers who just graduated from the Police Training Institute with very high scholastic scores. Prior to their hiring, each officer graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. A fourth officer hired in September 2007 also has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and is on the street doing an excellent job. Additionally, LPD was instrumental in providing professional education for the three Police and Fire Commissioners.

This is not to say that all is fine at the Lincoln Police Department. There have been, and will continue to be personnel issues that are dealt with as they occur. Police officers are no different than anyone else. At times they make mistakes and when they do, they are dealt with in a fair, professional manner. The primary goal is to make sure those mistakes remain minor and to address them as they happen so they do not become major. I run a tight ship. I listen to our citizens and take their comments seriously. When an officer is wrong, they hear from me. When an officer is right, the citizen hears from me and I defend the officers to the hilt. If a citizen has a problem with an officer, tell me and I will address the issue. If a citizen appreciates the actions of an officer or officers, tell everyone.

I would tell you that I am very proud of the increased training the officers have received over the past year. I have sent 23 different officers to 27 training courses. We have invested several thousand dollars to provide professional training opportunities that include:

Basic Recruit Course

Basic Investigators Course

FBI National Academy

Field Training for New Officers

First Line Supervision, Leadership, & Management

School Violence, Active Shooter, Bomb Threat Management

Deviant Sexual Behavior

Computer Pornography

Criminal Law

Arrest, Search, & Seizure

Hostage Negotiation

Counter Islamic Terrorism

A sustained professional training program is imperative in maintaining a professional department. I will continue this practice in the coming year.

I am pleased to tell you that I have established a good working relationship with the Lincoln Courier and Lincoln Daily News. One of my first actions, after becoming the Chief was to develop a dialogue with Mr. Nelson that lead to an appreciation for the needs of the newspaper while maintaining control of information released to the press. I have continued this relationship with Mr. Tackett and Ms. Youngquist. While we may not agree on every issue or incident, I appreciate their responsibilities and I believe they understand mine.

Staffing will continue to be a critical issue for the agency. I know I just told you that we just graduated three new officers and that we have replaced all of the retirees. Unfortunately there is more to the story. The three new officers will work with Field Training Officers through most of the summer. Currently we have one officer on light duty from a recent surgery, and we are unsure when he will return to work. In less than one month, we will lose another officer to the Illinois State Police. In addition to all of this, we have an officer in the Illinois National Guard that will be deployed to Afghanistan sometime in August. So we actually have gained nothing. The entire Safety Complex is rolling out a completely new computer system that will require a learning curve for LPD officers and the Sheriff’s Deputies. This will require a major time commitment for the officers to learn and master the new system. With over 670 calls per month, the summer vacation schedule approaching, and the demands of learning a new computer system, LPD will be stretched to the limit. I am not sure how we will get through the next several months. The detective, deputy chief, and myself may be working the street. We are willing to do so, but when that happens, our primary missions suffer. I can’t be more blunt, LPD needs more officers.

In summary, I could not be more pleased with the overall positive attitude of most officers. Their willingness to work with me as we have changed the way we do business was a major factor in my decision to remain on this job. The willingness of the Mayor, City Council, and City Attorney to work with me on the many issues that have come before you was also instrumental in my decision to stay. I appreciate the fact that I was unanimously approved for reappointment. I thank you for your cooperation and consideration. As we move into the new fiscal year, I ask for your continued support with the challenges ahead.

Thank You!!!

[Text copied from file received from Chief Stuart Erlenbush, Lincoln Police Department]