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<br />MESSAGE FROM THE POLICE CHIEF <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />It has been a sincere pleasure serving the Tri-Community area during the past <br />year. As you review this document, I trust that you will find it enlightening and <br />interesting. It was compiled through the efforts of individual staff members who <br />contribute daily to the success of your police agency and the safety of those we <br />serve. <br /> <br />1996 was a year filled with many challenges and success stories. Our newest <br />venture into the vehicle leasing arena appears to have been a success, largely due <br />to the efforts of Fleet Officer Todd Gleason. He has put tremendous amount of <br />time and effort into this project. <br /> <br />We took a bold step forward to further embrace Community Policing Philosophies <br />by assigning Officer Ron Nelson to a manufactured home community for the <br />primary purpose of helping local residents identify and solve neighborhood <br />problems which eventually evolve into community-wide problems. A successful <br />$59,000.00 grant written by Department members will go far to support Officer <br />Nelson with his assignment. He was able to share some of his success stories <br />with Vice President Al Gore during the Fall of 1996. <br /> <br />t <br /> <br />Sergeant Makela led an effort to create Anoka County's first Police Reserve <br />Academy. Shortly after the first of the year, Anoka County law enforcement <br />agencies will join forces to instruct police reserve members from throughout <br />Anoka County during an eight week academy. The fact that each agency has <br />assumed responsibility for a portion of the training curriculum speaks volumes for <br />the level of cooperation that exists between law enforcement agencies throughout <br />the county. <br /> <br />Officer Bill Michael took over responsibility for the elementary D.A.R.E. <br />program and put together an effective elementary wide program. <br /> <br />A new computer system and telephone system has had a positive impact on our <br />entire work force, as well as increased productivity. <br /> <br />Each of the above success stories and more simply could not have been realized <br />had it not been for the efforts of dedicated staff members. It is only through their <br />combined efforts that our communities remain the 'jewels of the north" <br /> <br />As successful as we've been, there remain many challenges. Violent crime, <br />particularly as it relates to our young people, rising costs for a quality law <br />enforcement program, future building needs and rapidly changing technology <br />speak to the need for a paradigm shift. We must continue to meet the needs of <br />our community on a daily basis while embarking on a more aggressive path of <br />planning for the future needs of our communities and their department. <br /> <br />David O. VanBurkleo <br />Chief of Police <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />We live forever through the things <br />we do, the lives we touch, and what <br />we leave behind <br /> <br />unknown <br />