By Sara Strong
The Rock County Sheriff's Department just got through an in-depth agency-wide assessment - and is transitioning into a new style of law enforcement called community policing.
The Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute completed the report, which hasn't yet been addressed at regular Luverne City Council or Rock County Board meetings.
The finished report calls attention to areas of improvement needed in the leadership of the department, (sheriff and sergeants) and reveals a sense of frustration within deputy ranks.
The report is based on interviews June 10 through 12 with deputies, supervisors, non-sworn staff, county and city employees, elected officials and community members. The report is also based on document reviews and observation of the department.
The assessment is the first step in a $52,900 program to overhaul the department. Training to implement community policing started Aug. 7 and continues through May 2003.
Rock County and the city of Luverne, as partners in joint law, adopted community policing when elected officials and citizens complained about the department earlier this year.
A couple major unsolved crimes, strings of break-ins, follow-up with crime victims and a perceived drug problem were on the list of issues raised with the Rock County Sheriff's Department.
Community policing is a proactive, communicative approach to law enforcement. Different from the old-fashioned reactive methods, community policing calls for increased cooperation and preventative measures to protect the public.
Community policing also encourages officers to be geographic specific, following up on crimes within an area. The idea is to increase accountability and ownership in law enforcement.
The good news
The department is led by Sheriff Ron McClure. There are two sergeants, Mike Winkels and Kurt Kester.
The report highlights positive notes about the department in general.
It says the sheriff values service to the community and that most deputies have great feelings toward the public.
During the interview process for the report, assessors found that community people know and like Sheriff McClure. The interview subjects said:
"The sheriff is someone I would want around if I had a crisis."
"He truly cares about the community."
"He can communicate with individuals very well."
Some deputies responded favorably to working more closely with the public through a new community policing style:
"I want to be proactive and work with the community. We can solve crimes with the community's help."
"The community is our customers - we need to work together to get things done."
The dispatch center was well-reviewed by the Policing Institute as well. "Communications/ dispatch are respected for their ability to manage calls for service, their regard for the public and overall service ethic."
Another good sign is that no concerns or complaints about unnecessary use of force were brought against the department. The report says this is unusual and should be commended.
Deputy support
Some members of the department see the assessment as a punishment or would rather see money spent elsewhere.
They said during the assessment process:
"I like to distance myself from the community and don't care what they (community members) think. I will support community policing if it doesn't add any more to my work load."
"The county doesn't value us - they would rather put money into an old building rather than give us better equipment."
"I don't like associating with the community."
Other deputies support the idea of getting more feedback from citizens and improving community relations.
"I want to work in a proactive department - if I don't do my job the best way possible then I am not doing my job."
"Receiving input from the community is important - it also helps for 'informant development.' "