Eden Prairie Police Department Blog

How does one sum up a career of 25 years?  Do you measure it by the people you’ve encountered along the way?  Perhaps one looks at the changes in technology, or achievements and goals reached.  Regardless of how one quantifies it, a career of 25 years covers a lot of territory. 

Lt. Tracy Luke is retiring on August 31, 2010 after 25 years with the Eden Prairie Police Department.  She did a short stint with the Roseville Police Department prior to coming here, but the bulk of her career has been spent in the fair city of Eden Prairie.  She’s seen a lot in that amount of years.  Vehicle models have changed, technology (the bane of her existence) has grown by leaps and bounds, and co-workers have come and gone.  She started here in 1985 as an officer.  She was promoted to Corporal in 1989.  In 1994 she became a Sergeant and in 2003 was promoted to Lieutenant.  One might think that her proudest achievement would be her highest ranking, but that’s not the case.  Lt. Luke is most proud of her time worked as an officer – out on the street, helping and making a difference in the lives of people.

I’ve only really known Lt. Luke for a relatively short time in the span of her career; however, learning that she considers her work as an officer to be her greatest achievement didn’t come as a surprise to me.  She has a heart for people like few I’ve ever encountered.  That’s what I’ll remember most about her; she genuinely cares.

I don’t know how people measure a successful career.  I imagine it’s different for each and every person who looks at retiring and the life-change that brings.  In the case of Lt. Tracy Luke, measuring the impact she’s had in the lives of people in our community cannot be quantified.  It’s a lifetime of service and dedication to keeping others out of harm’s way.  I don’t know that one could ask for a better retirement gift; to know that you’ve made a difference and had an impact.  I, for one, am glad to know her.

Submitted by:  Jenna Scadden – Administrative Assistant

Each time an officer or investigator writes a citation or report or interviews someone related to a case, a record is created that must be maintained in accordance with state statutes. Here at the EPPD we have a team of dedicated professionals called Records Technicians who manage these records for the City.

On an average day the Records Unit reviews 25-50 records. They use specially designed software to save, catalog and link documents related to each case. In addition they use dictation software to transcribe interviews with victims, witnesses and suspects, and dictated reports from officers and detectives. The Records Technicians also provide a high level of customer service to the public in answering requests for documents.

Their attention to detail and accuracy is crucial. Documents they prepare and manage are often used in court proceedings. In one extensive identity theft/fraud case several years ago, the Records Unit scanned 14,000 pages of statements, reports and other documents, transcribed 581 pages of complicated audio interviews and statements which totaled 147 hours of work. In all, the Records Unit spent 169 hours on this case, preparing a high quality product that lead to many compliments from the Eden Prairie Investigations Unit and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.

In addition to the five employees who manage records, the Records Unit also has one staff member who is devoted to running the department’s evidence room, maintaining the integrity of the evidence submitted by officers and detectives. Another employee in the Records Unit is the department’s receptionist who manages the front desk at the police department, answering phone calls and handling in-person traffic as well as other various duties and tasks.

Imagine this: a call comes in over the police radio reporting a man with a gun in an elementary school in a nearby city. Eden Prairie’s Emergency Response Unit (ERU) is called to assist at the school. They change into their ERU uniforms, gather their equipment and speed over to the school where they check in with the incident commander who assigns them to their posts. ERU teams from other communities are there in addition to fire and ambulance personnel. Together they find the shooter and clear the building, while working to keep innocent bystanders safe.

This scenario actually occurred yesterday but the ERU team knew it was coming, the shooter was a role-player and the innocent bystanders were really teachers at the school. It was a training session hosted by the Hopkins School District and Hopkins Police Department. Six times per year departments in the Southwest Metro SWAT Team hold joint training sessions for their SWAT or ERU teams in order to create a larger pool of specially-trained officers to call upon during an actual call.

The purpose of Monday’s drill was to create a realistic active school shooter scenario that involved school personnel. While members of our ERU knew they were attending a hands-on training on Monday, they did not know what scenario they were facing, providing a realistic feel to the drill. After the drill the agencies involved participated in a debriefing where they discussed what went well and what they need to work on.

With the retirement of Lt. Tracy Luke at the end of this month, the EPPD has conducted two promotional processes and has appointed Sgt. Bill Wyffels as the department’s newest lieutenant and Detective Eric LeBlanc as the department’s newest sergeant. Both promotions will be effective September 1.

Sgt. Bill Wyffels

Bill Wyffels has been with the EPPD for 22 years. During his tenure Sgt. Wyffels has served as patrol officer, narcotics investigator, detective, forensics investigator, patrol sergeant, support sergeant and criminal investigations sergeant. He was promoted to sergeant in 2003.  Sgt. Wyffels comes from a family of law enforcement personnel including three brothers who are all currently working in law enforcement in Minnesota.

Det. Eric LeBlanc

Detective Eric LeBlanc began working for the EPPD in 1995. In his fifteen years with the department Detective LeBlanc has worked as a patrol officer, Community Oriented Policing Officer, investigator, Emergency Response Unit member and Crime Tech Unit member.

Both men will be formally recognized at this fall’s annual meeting and awards ceremony where they will receive the ceremonial pinning of their new badges.

McGruff with Capt. Jim DeMann and Chief Rob Reynolds

McGruff the Crime Prevention Dog was created over 25 years ago by the National Crime Prevention Council to help kids learn safety tips. We recently sat down with McGruff to ask him what it’s like helping the nation’s kids each day.

EPPD:                    How did you get started helping with crime prevention?

McGruff:             I was just a regular dog who started noticing some suspicious things going on in my neighborhood. I asked my police department if I could help and they said yes.

EPPD:                    What did you do to help the police department?

McGruff:             I knocked on doors in my neighborhood reminding people to leave lights on in their yards at night, to watch for strangers in the neighborhood and to be sure to close and lock their garage doors.

EPPD:                    How long have you been helping people in Eden Prairie?

McGruff:             I’ve been in Eden Prairie since the early 1980′s.

EPPD:                    I love your trench coat. Who buys your clothes?

McGruff:             The Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund pays for all the things I need including the Jr. Police stickers I hand out at events.

EPPD:                    Where can we see you in Eden Prairie?

McGruff:             I love going to community events where I can see lots of kids. I visit neighborhood parties on Night to Unite, I walk around the Police & Fire Open House every October and I go to Safety Camp.

EPPD:                    What’s the best advice you give to kids?

McGruff:             Walk with friends – not alone. Never accept rides from strangers. Say no to drugs and alcohol. If you find a gun don’t touch it – walk away and tell a trusted adult.

EPPD:                    What’s the most fun part of your job?

McGruff:             Meeting kids and giving them hugs and high-5’s!

For decades, law enforcement agencies have tried countless ways to encourage motorists to buckle their seatbelts, knowing that it dramatically decreases the chance of death or injury in the event of a car crash.

Recently a powerful video on seatbelt use has been making its way through the viral world and here at the EPPD. The video was produced by the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership located in the United Kingdom.

According to the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety, in 2009 daytime seatbelt compliance was up to 90% statewide. Of the 302 traffic fatalities in 2009, only 129 were wearing seatbelts. In 50% of the unbelted deaths the occupants were ejected from the vehicle.

The message is clear here in Eden Prairie and across the world: buckling up saves lives.

The rumble of thunder, occasional downpour and high humidity did not dampen the spirits of the campers and staff at today’s Safety Camp. Kids brought their bikes and helmets and after learning how to bike safely on city streets, they took to the paths at Riley Lake Park and practiced their new bike safety skills.

Fire Department Escape House

Campers also had a chance to check out the Fire Department’s Escape House which was staffed by EPPD retirees Jack Hacking and Curt Oberlander, and retired Eden Prairie firefighter Jay Bohlen. The Escape House teaches kids how to avoid causing home fires and how to escape a home that is filled with smoke.  Also in the morning EPPD Detective Mark Gustad gave a presentation to the campers on how to use the internet safely.

After lunch provided by Davanni’s, the campers were treated to a dance party complete with a disc jockey. In the afternoon campers learned animal safety from EPPD Animal Control Officer John Peters, Community Service Officer Louis Diethelm, K9 Brix and his handler Officer Jess Irmiter, and K9 Booker and his handler Officer Tim Snetting.

In addition, campers had a chance to practice water safety at the Riley Lake Beach.  Campers donned lifejackets and swamped canoes under the guidance of the Riley Lake lifeguards.

This evening the campers will participate in a graduation ceremony where they will each receive a medal and certificate from the Police Chief, Fire Chief and Park and Recreation Director. At graduation the campers will also have a chance to watch a video of their Safety Camp adventures and learn the true identities of their counselors – which one is the police officer, firefighter, etc.

Thanks to all the campers, parents and staff who made this year’s Safety Camp a fun and memorable event!

Imagine coming home and finding someone in your house, rifling through your things. That’s what happened to an Eden Prairie homeowner last November. When the homeowner yelled at the suspect, the suspect fled the home through a back door. The homeowner called 911 and reported that the suspect was running through the neighborhood carrying a bag.

Eden Prairie officers set up a perimeter in the area and requested assistance from neighboring police departments and the State Patrol.  K9 Brix and his handler responded to the scene and began to track from the home into the nearby woods while members of the Department’s Crime Scene Unit began to process evidence left in the home. A state trooper in the area noticed a suspicious car in the area and notified a nearby Eden Prairie officer. Together they stopped the vehicle and found a man inside who matched the description of the suspect.  

Later that day officers and K9 Brix located a man’s boot in a swampy area where the suspect had fled. Two days later, Reserve Officers searched a wooded area near the scene of the burglary and discovered a backpack and a bag with two laptop computers inside. In addition they found a second man’s boot in the area.

The suspect ultimately pled guilty to the burglary and another burglary in Edina, resulting in a 51-month sentence. In total, he was linked to four burglaries in Eden Prairie and four in Edina. From start to finish the officers, dispatchers, investigators and reserves worked as a team to find and apprehend the suspect, gather critical evidence and ensure the safety of the community.