Within this report are highlights from the past year in the Austin Police Department. The year 2007 was one of challenges, changes and accomplishments. We saw an unprecedented number of position changes in 2007 with five officers promoted, several retired and four new officers hired. Amidst all of the personnel changes, our officers continued to do an outstanding job of meeting the needs of the community that we serve. Officers responded to 23,669 calls for service and 2,469 - 911 calls. It was also a record year for narcotics seized with one arrest netting more than 24 pounds of cocaine.

In addition to all of the normal duties that fall within the officers’ job descriptions, you will also note that our officers were deeply committed to, and involved in, our community outside of their day-to-day work. The department fielded a team of 13 officers who participated in the Relay for Life raising a significant amount of money for cancer research.  Officers also participated in a Hometown Heroes softball game to raise money for the Care Council. Our officers sit on numerous boards and committees throughout the community, teach at Riverland College, and coach youth in sports.  Our officers are committed to their work and the citizens they serve.

Respectfully submitted,

Paul Philipp
Chief of Police

Highlights of 2007

January

Representatives of the Austin Medical Center came to the Law Enforcement Center to recognize our officers and present them with a huge thank-you card for the work they have done at the medical center.

Our House Memory Care facility had a sprinkler leak that forced the evacuation of more than 20 residents when the temperature outside was extremely cold. Officers worked with fire fighters and Our House staff to move the residents to busses and they were transported to an alternate location.

Three 17-year-old males went to the Austin Medical Center Emergency Room with one suffering from a gunshot wound. They initially claimed it was a drive-by shooting at Todd Park but further investigation revealed that it was a case of one male accidentally shooting his friend while showing him a Tech 9 weapon.

March

After 23 years of service, Detective Dave Schafer left the Austin Police Department to take the position of special agent with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Officer Jeff McCormack was promoted to sergeant and assumed his new duties as a night shift supervisor.

The department hosted the Austin Chamber of Commerce Leadership Austin class one day in March, and we were able to give the class participants an eye opening view of life in law enforcement and the court system.

After much planning and work the department took possession of its new Special Incident Response Team vehicle. This multi-purpose vehicle will be primarily used by S.I.R.T. during high-risk incidents, but it can also be used as a mobile command post for special situations, as well as a back-up dispatch facility should it be necessary.

April

Rene’ Phan returned from his one-year tour of duty in Iraq and was promoted to sergeant on the afternoon shift.

One of the issues that Mayor Tom Stiehm ran for office on was immigration and in April of 2007 he convened a community immigration meeting at Riverside Arena. At that well attended meeting a panel discussion was followed by questions from the audience. Chief Philipp was a panel member and members of the department assisted with greeting the public and providing information.

Lieutenant Dave Simonson retired in May after a long career of service to his hometown.

As part of the anticipated Austin/Mower Law Enforcement Radio Project, the Dispatch Center began to be remodeled.

May

Austin Police Department Community Service Officer Ernesto Cantu was injured and the CSO truck totaled when a vehicle ran a stop sign at more than 50 mph and struck him. The driver fled the scene of the accident but was caught the next morning, arrested and charged.  Ernie made a full recovery.

Rene’ Phan was promoted to lieutenant to fill the vacancy created by Dave Simonson’s retirement, and Dustin Wollenburg was promoted sergeant. They are the supervisory team of the afternoon shift.

The first ever department pictures were taken this past spring. Officers met on their own time to participate in the picture taking. See the cover for a sample.

Officer Jim Lamecker retired from the department in May. Jim was recognized by the State Law Enforcement Memorial Association for his work with that group and his commitment to helping families who have experienced the loss of a police officer in the line of duty.

June

As part of a special reading awareness project, Chief Philipp participated in creating new reading posters for the Austin Public Library and officers brought and displayed a squad car for the event.

Yearly alcohol compliance checks were done in June with 29 liquor license holders checked.  Of the 29 businesses checked there were eleven who failed to comply. The eleven license holders who failed face penalties that include fines and mandatory closures.

July

Detective Dave McKichan was selected to receive the Rotary Community Service in Government Award. This was the first year the award was presented, and it was an honor for Dave to be recognized for the outstanding work he is doing in narcotics investigation.

Members of the department volunteered their time to work at a concert at Riverside Arena featuring the band Kansas. The event was a fund raising benefit for the Kellsey Hogan Scholarship Fund.

Thirteen members of the department participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Over $4,500.00 was raised in contributions and an additional $660.00 was raised during a “jail and bail” on the night of the event. The Cops for a Cure Team was the second highest money raiser for this annual event.

Officers Kevin Kang and Sam Schuweiler were sworn in as the newest members of the department.

The Mower County Sheriff’s Office and the Austin Police Department hosted the Region 10 Police K-9 Trials. More than 70 law enforcement departments were represented at this competition. At the completion of the Trials our departments hosted a community event at which the top dogs in each category performed in front of a packed crowd at the Mower County Fairgrounds. The event concluded with Lt. Matt Holten and his K-9 partner Ghost leaping from a helicopter while apprehending a criminal.

August

Chief Philipp spoke to the Third Judicial District courtroom attendants about diversity in our community. This was in conjunction with a day long training program for courtroom attendants in Southeastern Minnesota.

Officers arrested nine suspects in a major narcotics case. Five arrests were for possession and sale of drugs and four for forgery. Two pounds of cocaine, eleven pounds of marijuana, and $24,000 in cash were seized.

September

Our officers participated in the Hometown Heroes softball game to raise money for the Care Council.

October

Officer Travis Heickley was promoted to detective filling the vacancy left by Detective Dave Schafer’s resignation.

Officer Kevin Sederquist moved from Ellis Middle School to Austin High School to replace Officer Heickley as liaison officer in that building.   Officer Mark Walski was selected to fill the position of liaison officer at Ellis Middle School. With those reassignments and for the first time in 2007 our department was at full strength and all positions were filled.

Officers and investigators were called to an apartment complex to investigate the death of a baby. The investigation revealed that the infant was shaken to death. A suspect was arrested and is awaiting trial.

November

For the first time in several years, members of the public gathered at a northeast Austin church for a community notification meeting as a level three sex offender was being released to Austin following his prison sentence.  This type of meeting is mandated by State law to inform the public that the offender is being relocated to our community.

December

After years of meetings, discussions, studies and debates the City of Austin and Mower County finally agreed to build a new Criminal Justice Center at a downtown location. The City and the County have budgeted funds for the renovation of the existing Law Enforcement Center building once the new Criminal Justice Center is built.  

The largest drug bust ever in Austin was conducted here in December. Our officers worked in concert with agents from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to seize 13 kilos of cocaine and arrest two Austin men and several from Rochester.

DIVISION OF INVESTIGATIONS ANNUAL REPORT
Detective Brian Krueger

The calendar year of 2007 for the Division of Investigation was a challenging and demanding year for the detectives.  The Division of Investigation was short-staffed for more than one calendar year.  In January of 2007, the division was staffed by Detectives Krueger, Schafer, and McKichan.  In February, Detective Haider was added to the division but by early March, Detective Schafer (with 23 years of experience on the Austin Police Department) left to become a special agent for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.  The Division of Investigations was shorthanded until October 22, 2007, when Liaison Officer T.J. Heickley was promoted to detective.  Prior to 2007, the division had been short staffed from August of 2006, when Tom Stiehm retired, until October of 2007 when the promotion of  Detective Heickley brought the division to full staff with Detectives  Krueger, McKichan, Haider, and Heickley.  The Division of Investigations experienced a 50% change in personnel in just a little over one calendar year.

Even though short staffed the detectives were kept busy during 2007 handling well over 300 cases between them. Listed is a sampling of a few of the major cases detectives worked on in 2007.  The first occurred on January 19, 2007, where an alleged drive by shooting occurred at Todd Park was reported.  Instead, it turned out that the shooting occurred in the city of Austin at an apartment complex where Nicholas Nicolazzi shot Logan Grimley.  Michael Wagner was also involved in this incident.  Both Nicolazzi and Wagner were charged and convicted. 

A case that was investigated jointly by the Southeastern Minnesota Drug Task Force and Austin Police Department accumulated in four search warrants being executed simultaneously on August 14, 2007, which resulted in four local arrests for Felony Forgery, and five Federal indictments for narcotics charges.

A third case occurred on October 10, 2007, when a young child, Carlito Ortiz, died. Initially this appeared to be an accidental death but after investigation was begun, it was reclassified as a homicide. Jesse Edwards, who was the suspect in this shaken baby case recently plead guilty and was sentenced to 196 months.

Each member of the Division of Investigation has specialized training and experience. Detective Krueger brings 24 years of experience to the Division of Investigation, and he continues to specialize in conducting background investigations for new police officers and firefighters, as well as being the Team Leader for the Special Incident Response Team (S.I.RT.)  Krueger is also an instructor at Riverland Community College in the Criminal Justice Program and is the current president of the supervisors bargaining unit.

Detective Dave McKichan continues to do outstanding work with the Southeastern Minnesota Drug Task Force.  Although most of Detective McKichan’s time is dedicated to the Task Force, he also handles the caseload generated when he is on-call, as well as assisting other detectives with outstanding cases. Detective McKichan is the Assistant Team Leader for the Special Incident Response Team, and serves as vice president for the supervisor’s bargaining unit.  Detective McKichan brings ten years of law enforcement experience to the Division of Investigations.

Detective Haider works with Mower County Human Services as a child protection investigator.  Detective Haider also handles many sex crime reports, as well as computer crimes, and he is in charge of the Automated Pawn System here in the city of Austin.  Detective Haider is a member of the Special Incident Response Team, and he is a certified Corner House interviewer.  Detective Haider brings 23 years of law enforcement experience to the Division of Investigation.

Detective Heickley is the newest member of the Division of Investigations, joining the division on October 29, 2007.  Detective Heickley brings 20 years of law enforcement experience to the division.  His last assignment was as a school liaison officer, and he brings a wide range of experience and knowledge, including interviewing skills.  Detective Heickley is also a member of the Special Incident Response Team.

SPECIAL INCIDENTS RESPONSE TEAM
S.I.R.T.
Detective Brian Krueger

The Special Incidents Response Team is currently comprised of eleven members from the Austin Police Department and Mower County Sheriff’s Department.  Current members are Detectives Krueger, McKichan, Haider,  Heickley, and  Juenger.  Also included are Lt. Phan, Sgt. McCormack, along with Officers Milli, Clennon and Retterath and Deputy Hemann, and Negotiator Officer Blust and Paramedic Hartquist.

The Team had two personnel changes in 2007. Detective Schafer left the department and his position was filled with the addition of Officer Retterath in January of 2007. 

Officer Milli and I picked up the new S.I.R.T. vehicle from Custom Command Systems in Grand Rapids , MI, mid-March of 2007.  In addition, the Team welcomed back then Officer Rene’ Phan in April 2007 when he completed a tour in Iraq working with the civilian police force. 

The Team had eleven monthly training sessions in 2007.  The only month that training was not held was the month of December.  The Team continues to train hard, with the physical fitness/agility testing taking place in October and all Team members successfully completing the physical fitness requirements.   

The Team was called-out for service sixteen times in 2007. Those calls were requests for assistance on drug warrants and search warrants.  The following is a list of the 2007 S.I.R.T. call outs. 

The first call for service occurred on February 8, 2007, when a search warrant was executed at 805 Fourth Street NW in Austin where a small marijuana grow operation was discovered.  Several suspects were at the residence, and two of them were arrested.  Two short-barreled shotguns were discovered, along with small amounts of marijuana and a white powdery substance, which was suspected as cocaine.  A felony order of detention was served on Jacob Lee Johnson for Felony Possess of a Short Barreled Shotgun, and Felony Aid and Abet Controlled Substance Crime in the Fifth Degree.  In addition, a felony order of detention was served on Adam Scott Ellingson, for Felony Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Possess Short Barreled Shotgun, and Aid and Abet Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree. 

The second call for service occurred on March 1, 2007, when the Team executed a search warrant at 403 12th Street SE in Austin.  This was a narcotics search warrant.  Numerous items of drug paraphernalia were seized and several suspects were encountered.  Juan Irlas, Jr. was arrested and held on a Department of Corrections warrant. 

The third incident was on March 22, 2007.  This incident was the first where the new S.I.R.T. vehicle was used.  A search warrant was obtained and executed at 704 12th Street NE, Austin.  This was a felony order for apprehension for robbery on Samuel James Johnson.  The search warrant was executed at that address without incident.  Initially no one was found at the residence; however, just prior to the execution of the warrant, surveillance led officers to 1300 7th Avenue NE where the apprehension of Samuel Johnson was made without incident.

The fourth incident occurred on April 13, 2007.  A search warrant was executed after the Southeastern Minnesota Narcotics Task Force, with the aid of a confidential informant, made several buys from Alfred Jordan, 200 25 Street SW #111, Austin.  A search warrant was successfully executed on the morning of April 13, and more than $2,000 in cash was seized during the execution of this warrant.  A felony order of detention was served on Alfred Jordan for Third Degree Controlled Substance.

Cases 5, 6, and 7 were all executed on May 18, 2007.  This was a joint effort with the Southeastern Minnesota Narcotics Task Force, the Austin/Mower County Special Incidents Response Team, Austin Police Department, and the Mower County Sheriff’s Office.  Three search warrants were executed simultaneously at 1605 E. Oakland Ave, 1111 8th Avenue SW, and 2119 Third Avenue NE, all in Austin.  During the execution of these warrants, a .380 caliber pistol was recovered from a piece of luggage and approximately 147 pills of Ecstasy and .5 grams of meth were found.  After the warrants had been served, a Felony Order of Detention was served on Giles Michael Cain for Felony Fifth Degree Controlled Substance, and a Felony Order of Detention was served on Bobby Thonesavanh for two counts Felony First and Second Degree Controlled Substance.  Bail for the two was set at a million dollars, or $250,000 with conditions.  A Felony Order of Detention was served on Tom Heuangsayaseng for two counts of Felony First and Second Degree Controlled Substance.  His bail was also set at one million dollars or $250,000 with conditions.

The Teams eighth call out was on May 24, 2007. This case involved a possible kidnapping, physical and possible sexual assault.  It was reported that an ex-boyfriend, Julian Sanchez Martinez, AKA Carlos Hernandez (false name), had kidnapped and assaulted the victim.  A search warrant was executed at 1004 13th Avenue NE during the early morning hours and Sanchez-Martinez was arrested and held for court on possible kidnapping and assault charges.

Drugs were also found during the course of that search warrant.  A large quantity of marijuana was found in the freezer, and subsequent arrests were made.  After the search warrant had been executed, a Felony Order of Detention was also served on Crescencio Francisco Rosas Alvarez for Felony Aggravated Forgery.  A Felony Order of Detention was served on Mr. Sanchez-Martinez for two counts of First Degree Criminal Sex Conduct, two counts of Second Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, two counts of Kidnapping, Second Degree Assault, Domestic Assault, Terroristic Threats, Fifth Degree Controlled Substance Crime, and two counts of Aggravated Forgery. 

The ninth call for service for the Team was on July 18, 2007, when a search warrant was executed for drugs at 608 14th Street NW, and Benjamin and Daniel Clennon were arrested without incident.  More than $5,000 was found in a safe.  Daniel Clennon was later cited for a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, which was found in his room.  A Felony Order of Detention was later served on Benjamin Patrick Clennon for two counts of Felony Fifth Degree  Controlled Substance.

The tenth call for service was on August 13, 2007, when the Team was requested in the City of Grand Meadow to apprehend a Kainun James Thorson, who had a felony warrant for his arrest, at 416 First Street SW, Grand Meadow, MN.

The Team, using the aid of a flash bang device, was able to apprehend Kainun Thorson without incident.

The 11th and 12th calls for service were a joint effort with the Southeastern Minnesota Task Force, BCA and DEA officials, and the Dodge County SWAT Team on August 14, 2007.  Four search warrants were conducted simultaneously at 309 Third Avenue SW, 1011 E. Oakland Avenue, 407 North Main Street, and 1307 Seventh Avenue NW, all in Austin. 

Five local residents were charged on the Federal level and four were charged locally.  The four that were charged locally were charged with False Identification, or Identities, and they were charged with a Felony Forgery.  Those charged were Fermin Aguilar-Barrios, Francisco Aguilar-Barrios, Francisco Sandoval, and Porfirio Sandoval-Reyes.  The five who were indicted on the Federal level for drug charges were Jose Lopez Covarrubias, Daniel Garza, Federico Garza, Samuel Isaiah Garza, and Humberto Lugo, JR.  All four search warrants were executed without incident.

The 13th call for service was on October 3, 2007.  The Team executed two drug search warrants simultaneously at 105 and 107-1/2 First Street NW, and upon conclusion of the two search warrants, a Felony Order of Detention was served on Eric Fontaine Thomas for First Degree Controlled Substance Crime, subsequent offense Second Degree Controlled Substance Crime and Second Degree Controlled Substance Crime.  Bail was set at $750,000 or $250,000 with conditions.  A Felony Order of Detention was served on Anthony Carl White for Aid and Abet Controlled Substance Crime in the Fifth Degree, and Aid and Abet Child Endangerment.  A Felony warrant was issued on Darrell Anthony Leaks for two counts of Second Degree Controlled Substance Crime and three counts of Third Controlled Substance Crime.  Both search warrants were executed without incident.

The 14th call for service was on October 26, 2007. The Team executed a search warrant at 1605 East Oakland Avenue where methamphetamine paraphernalia and $1,500.00 cash were recovered. A Felony Order of Detention was issued on Charles Melvin Durham for one count of Felony First Degree Controlled Substance and one count of Second Degree Controlled Substance.  Bobby Thonesavanh was also arrested for violating his conditions of release at this residence.  

The 15th and 16th call for service were two search warrants executed on November 14, 2007. S.I.R.T. members were divided into two teams and drug search warrants were executed simultaneously at 1007 Tenth Avenue SW, as well as 406 First Avenue SE.  Numerous items of drug paraphernalia were seized during the search warrants, but no arrests were made at the time.

POLICE RESERVE UNIT
Sgt. Jim Erickson

The Reserve Unit currently has 25 members.  In February a two day Reserve Training School (RST) was held.  The training was conducted to familiarize the new recruits with the Law Enforcement Center, Austin Police Department and Mower County Sheriff’s Office.  The recruits also trained in the areas of self defense, use of force, report writing, first aid and CPR, Reserve policies, criminal law, traffic law and traffic direction.  The new members will participate in on-going training on a bi-monthly basis.  All new members attended the Reserve Training School held in February.

We had 23 Reserve Unit meetings during the year, and were involved in the following community events:  Freedom Festival, Spam Jam at Torge’s, Mower County Fair, Miss Austin, Austin High School Prom, Project graduation, Junior Police graduation, and the YMCA Annual Walk/Run.  The Reserves were also requested to provide security during dances at Austin High School.

The Reserves continued to use the police department’s bikes to patrol the Mill Pond area, Skate Park, as well as the bike path and other area parks. The Reserves were also involved in both the May and October public police auctions. 

K-9 “GHOST”
Lt. Matt Holten

The Austin Police Department K-9 Program entered its 21st year in 2007.  Canine Officer Rene’ Phan was promoted to afternoon lieutenant and he retired his canine partner, Joker, who had served the department well for several years.  I filled the night K-9 handler position after a seven-year hiatus from the program.  I previously had handled three police dogs from 1989-2001.

The City purchased a nine-month-old Belgian Malinois in February and I named him K-9 Ghost.   K-9 Ghost was purchased from the lead canine trainer at the Anoka Police Department, and training in narcotics detections, criminal apprehension, tracking, building search and evidence search was started immediately.  K-9 Ghost is a son to the five-time National Champion from Mower County, K-9 Tazer, and is a great-grandson of my last K-9 partner, Rocket.  This bloodline has been very successful over the years and has produced excellent working police dogs that are on duty across the United States.

The Austin Police Department annually certifies its police dogs in narcotics detection and general patrol dog work through the United States Police Canine Association.  K-9 Ghost was certified in March of 2007 in general patrol dog (PD1), and in July he took second place in the evidence competition during trials held here in Austin.  K-9 Ghost was deployed 76 times in 2007 and assisted in 25 arrests, including nine felony cases.  K-9 Ghost will be receiving several case awards for work done in 2007 at the next Regional U.S.P.C.A. meeting. 

There are many, many hours of training required to keep both the department’s canine teams at their best.  In order for our canine teams to train, volunteers who pretend to be the “bad guys” are needed. In 2007, Officers Ryan Leif, Chad Norman, Brian Blake, Jim Lunt, Kim Deutsch and Sam Schuweiler all volunteered on their personal time off to make tracks, hide in buildings, and to be apprehended by our canine teams during training sessions.  Thanks to all of those officers for their commitment to our K-9 Program!

K-9 BOSCO
Officer Eric Blust

I was selected in 2003 to be a department canine handler for the afternoon shift.  I teamed up with Gunner, a Belgian Malinois, who was my personal dog prior to working the streets as a patrol dog.   I learned and experienced new aspects of policing with Gunner.  He is now retired from police work but he continues to live with my family and provides great protection.

I was given an opportunity to work a dog donated to the department’s K-9 Program by Lt. Rene Phan in February of 2007.  Bosco is a direct descendant of Tazer (the brother of Gunner) who works for the Mower County Sheriff’s Office with his handler Sgt. Jeff Ellis.  As a K-9 team, Sgt. Ellis and K-9 Tazer have been the United States Police Canine Association National Champions for three consecutive years and regional champions the past four consecutive years.  K-9 Tazer is known for his excellent work in certification and street worthiness.

Bosco was approximately seven months old when our partnership began in February of 2007.  Several weeks later the department purchased Ghost (from the same litter as Bosco) who is handled by Lt. Matt Holten. Lt. Holten and I began training the new dogs for narcotics detection in early March.  With the help of Sgt. Ellis, both Ghost and Bosco were certified with the U.S.P.C.A. in narcotics detection later that same month.  Bosco and I achieved a score of 195.33 out of 200 points, thereby certifying us to work the streets in narcotics detection. 

Hosted by the Mower County Sheriff’s Office and the Austin Police Department, the PD-1 certifications were held in Austin in July. Bosco and I certified with the U.S.P.C.A. in patrol work that consisted of criminal apprehensions, agility, suspect search, obedience, and article search exercises.  We obtained a score of 670.50 out of a possible 700 points, resulting in eleventh place finish amongst seventy-seven teams and were awarded first prize for the agility exercise.  Overall Bosco and I achieved scores high enough to qualify for Nationals in both the narcotics detection and patrol work phases.

Bosco and I work the 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. shift.  Since Bosco was certified he has been deployed approximately sixty times (with a narcotics find ratio of about fifty-six percent) throughout the year to assist with building searches, narcotics detection, tracking subjects, apprehending subjects, and public demonstrations.  We anticipate receiving awards from the U.S.P.C.A. for these activities at the next regional meeting.  

I will continue to train Bosco aggressively in order to succeed in the fight against criminal activity.  My goals are to achieve higher marks in the certification process, participate in the national detector and patrol dog events (which would benefit the department with legal concerns) and obtain a tracking certification.  As always, I will continue to strive to use K-9 Bosco directly in applicable street activities.

I would like to thank those who have helped with Bosco’s training throughout the past year.  K-9 Bosco and I would not be where we are today without the help of, Lt. Matt Holten, Officers Chad Norman, Ryan Leif, Brian Blake, Kim Deutsch, Jim Lunt, Emily Anderson, Sam Schuweiler, the Police Explorers, and the Mower County Reserves.  A special thanks to Lt. Phan and Sgt. Ellis.

AUSTIN POLICE EXPLORERS
Officer Kevin Sederquest

It was another successful year for the Austin Police Explorers.  Officer Walski accepted the position of advisor at the beginning of 2007, replacing Officer Morgan.  Officer Walski and I did extensive recruiting at the schools during the year and the Police Explorer Post currently has eleven participants of various ages enrolled. 

In April of 2007, the Police Explorer Post competed at the Breezy Point Conference and was very successful.  The group also competed at the Duluth Conference, and although they were a very inexperienced group, they did well.  For the third year, the explorers provided security for the National Barrow Show held in September here in Austin.  In fact, the explorers did such a good job at the National Barrow Show they have already been invited back in 2008! 

Members of the Explorer Post help to provide security and traffic control at several community events held during the year, all on a volunteer basis.  

SAFE AND SOBER PROGRAM
Officer Brian Blake

With some help from Officer Brant Strouf (former coordinator of the Safe and Sober Program for the Austin Police Department), I assumed responsibility for the program in 2007.   

Working together, the Austin Police Department and Mower County Sheriff’s Office received a $25,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to be used for safe and sober traffic enforcement throughout the year in 2007.  The grant was used to cover overtime incurred by patrol officers during specified enforcement hours, as well as for dispatch services.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety works with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to organize “waves” of enforcement throughout the year, and to inform the public of upcoming enforcement “waves” being scheduled via advertising with local and state media. The enforcement “waves” for 2007 began in May and that particular “wave” focused on seatbelts and child restraints.  We followed with a speed enforcement “wave” in June, and our final “wave” of the year was in August and focused on driving while impaired (DWI).

The Austin Police Department and Mower County Sheriff’s Office worked 600 hours on the Safe and Sober Program during 2007.  We made 801 vehicle stops, which resulted in 439 citations written and 31 DWI arrests made. We had numerous drug seizures, vehicle seizures and outstanding warrants served during the three enforcement “waves” in 2007.

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, 494 people were killed in traffic accidents in Minnesota in 2006 and of those, 166 died due to alcohol related crashes.  Also in 2006, 41,951 driving while impaired citations were issued in Minnesota, which translates to more than 110 arrests per day.  In addition to the added traffic enforcement, officers working the Safe and Sober Program provided Austin and Mower County with extra police presence, which helps to deter criminal activity.

Sgt Jeff McCormack promoted

FORFEITED VEHICLE REPORT
Sgt. Jim Erickson

There were 49 vehicles forfeited in 2007.  Of those 49, 31 were forfeited for DWI, three for Felony DWI, ten were drug related, and five were for Other Felonies, including theft and fleeing police officers.  A comparison of the years reveals the following statistics:  2001 – 46 forfeitures, 2002 – 57 forfeitures, 2003 – 51 forfeitures, 2004 – 33 forfeitures, 2005 – 33 forfeitures, and 2006 – 42 forfeitures.

We sold nineteen vehicles at the May Police Public Auction, fourteen vehicles were forfeited for DWI, four for drugs, and one for flee an officer.  The City also sold more than 100 unclaimed bikes and many miscellaneous items.  The un-audited net total of the sales was approximately $19,695.00.  The City received $9,216.00 for the sale of the forfeited vehicles, Mower County received $1,370.00 and the Drug Task Force received $5,073.00.  The City also received $4,036.00 for the bikes and miscellaneous items sold. 

A second public auction was held in October and we sold 19 vehicles, many miscellaneous items, and more than 120 unclaimed bikes.  Of the forfeited vehicles sold, ten were for DWI, one for drugs and four for fleeing an officer. The four vehicles forfeited for fleeing an officer were cases that were not prosecuted so the owners were requested to pick-up their vehicles; however, they did not reclaim them so they were sold as abandoned vehicles.  The Street Department also sold four vehicles for a total of $1,283.00.  The City received from the Police Department forfeited vehicles and unclaimed bikes a net total of $12,116.00.  Of that amount, $982.00 was placed in the General Fund and $4,399.00 went to the Police Department’s DWI Fund. 

Several vehicles were released to owners who were found innocent in court, or to lien holders who reclaimed the vehicles.  Administrative fees, storage and towing fees were collected for the vehicles that totaled approximately $8,400.00. These monies were placed in the City’s General Fund.  A request for an addition to the Impound Building was granted as the building is full most of the time.

EVIDENCE ROOM
Sgt. Jeff McCormack 

Continuing along the same lines as the past few years, 2007 was a very busy year in the evidence room.  Officer Clennon and I alternate Mondays working two hours in the evidence room.  We are responsible for transferring new evidence into the back two permanent evidence rooms, closing out/returning/destroying old evidence, processing new evidence if needed, handling requests from prosecuting and defense attorneys and ensuring evidence for the more serious felony cases gets taken to and returned from the BCA in a timely fashion. 

In 2007 we had several big cases and search warrants resulting in a large amount of evidence seized and recovered.  In July 2007 we did five simultaneous search warrants resulting in hundreds of pieces of seized evidence.  This evidence is taking up a large portion of one of our back permanent evidence rooms, and some of the overflow had to be stored in the City’s secure impound lot.  We have accumulated (12) 55 gallon barrels filled with evidence that will be transported to North Star Steel Foundry in St. Paul where they will incinerate the contents of the barrels for us.

Late in the year, the department began looking at different computer programs with bar code tracking systems that will help the department manage and maintain the evidence room more efficiently.  It is our hope that we will see this system in use sometime later in 2008.

Bales of marijuana stored in evidence

TRAINING
Officer Amy Morgan

The year 2007 brought many changes to the Austin Police Department, which also brought changes in regards to training received throughout the year.  I took over the position of training officer early in 2007, the position formerly held by Officer Jim Lamecker who retired during the course of the year.

A software program designed to better track, access and utilize officers training records was purchased from L.E.A Data Technologies.  Thus far, the new program has proved to be very beneficial compared to the paper filing method previously used.  The data program allows for tracking of training received, which officers attended on specific dates, and how many P.O.S.T. credits were received for having attended the particular training.  Summaries of training received for an individual officer or for a particular class can be located and printed upon request utilizing the L.E.A. Data program.  This will be beneficial as the Minnesota P.O.S.T. Board no longer tracks officer training but does like to audit agencies every so often.

Each year the State of Minnesota and the Austin Police Department requires officers to complete mandatory training in specific aspects of law enforcement. Mandatory training classes are Use of Force, Defensive/Pursuit Driving, Firearms and First Aid/CPR.

Over and above mandatory requirements set forth, an officer may also receive individualized training based upon department need or their particular interests within the department.  Officer Emily Anderson became the department liaison for the Neighborhood Watch Program and attended training for “Crime Free Multi-Housing”.  With this training, Officer Anderson will be able to better utilize and to put fresh ideas towards the Neighborhood Watch Program.

An integral part of law enforcement is keeping impaired drivers off the streets.  Officers Brian Blake, Eric Blust, Chad Norman and Mike Tischer spent an intense week at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) in St. Paul certifying as Intoxilyzer Operators in order to test those suspected to have been driving impaired due to alcohol.  Officer Blake also attended sessions at the yearly Safe and Sober Conference held in Duluth after becoming the department liaison for the Safe and Sober Program. With the success of the Safe and Sober Program here in Austin and Mower County, Officer Blake assisted in obtaining several new, free computers for the report room. 

Officers Patrick Retterath, Ryan Leif and Dan Ruroden attended “Patrol Response to Street Drugs” and “Advanced Vehicle Contraband

Concealment”.  These classes were sponsored and conducted at the Midwest Counter-Drug Training Center located in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Due to promotions and the hiring of new officers throughout the year, several officers received specialized training. Lt Rene Phan, Sgt. Jeff McCormack and Sgt. Dustin Wollenburg attended various supervisory management training in accordance with gaining their respective positions.  Sgt. Wollenburg and Officer Brant Strouf attended training to become members of the department’s Field Training Officer (FTO) team, which is an important and highly utilized program when new officers are hired. By attending a class on managing and supervising the FTO program, Lt. Phan was qualified to take over as supervisor of the FTO team from Detective Mark Haider.

Officers of the department, whether new hires or veterans, will discover interests suited to them and will be able to develop those interests through training which continues to be a benefit provided by the City of Austin Police Department.

Training in arrest and handcuffing

Crime Prevention
Lt. John Mueller

There were many opportunities for officers to interact with and educate the public through the department’s Crime Prevention Program in 2007.

Several topics and presentations are on going such as visits to Austin Medical Center’s Chemical Dependency outpatient group, Cub Scout and Girl Scout tours of the Law Enforcement Center, and robbery response training for bank personnel in Austin.

This year was particularly exciting because there were new opportunities and renewed interest in existing ones! New this year was our participation in National Night Out.  National Night Out is designed to get neighbors out to meet each other as well as to introduce them to resources in their community. It also generates support for and participation in local anti-crime programs and it sends a message to criminals that people are organized in their effort to fight crime.

National Night Out is held on the first Tuesday of August. Here in Austin that is the same day the Mower County Fair kicks off. What better a place to introduce National Night Out then the county fair? Mower County provided space at the fairgrounds free of charge where Officer Anderson was able to set up banners and literature and speak with fair attendees about crime prevention including National Night Out.  Other community agencies joined the police department in this effort, and it was a unique and successful way to start Austin’s participation in National Night Out.

The Austin Police Department has offered a Neighborhood Watch program for a number of years. In the spring of 2007 a new group was formed as the result of one citizen contacting the department and inquiring about how to start a Neighborhood Watch. Officer Emily Anderson met with that citizen and a group of her neighbors, and following several meetings that neighborhood watch is working well. Another neighborhood joined the program shortly after, so there are two active Neighborhood Watch groups in Austin.

Another unique opportunity the department took part in was a new Chamber of Commerce program called Leadership Austin. This is an eight-week course during which representatives of Austin and Mower County government, schools, businesses, and civic organizations have the opportunity to interact with each other on a weekly basis, hear from many people who are leaders in their chosen field, and to tour businesses, schools, hospitals, and government centers in Austin.

One segment of the course included a day with the Austin Police Department. Chief Philipp, Lt. Mueller, Officer Clennon were presenters as were Lt. Holten and Officer Blust and their K-9 partners Ghost and Bosco. The day was interactive and very well received by those in attendance. I had the pleasure of participating in Leadership Austin and graduated from the inaugural program of Leadership Austin.

Late in the year, I responded to a request from Cooperative Response Center management to provide a security survey via a program called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design or CPTED.  This program offers suggestions toward enhancing the safety of staff and visitors by looking at the exterior design of the structure and the layout of the grounds. It includes evaluating lighting, fences, trees and shrubs, and parking lots, as well as suggestions for locks, cameras, and security procedures.

The officers of the Austin Police Department will continue their perseverance in the area of crime prevention efforts in 2008. Being proactive builds good relationships between the officers and the citizens we serve.

PART I AND PART II OFFENSES