Our Police Department holds a recognition event each year to welcome and swear-in new employees; acknowledge significant career promotions and achievements; and to recognize examples of work that fits into the “above & beyond” category. It is a great event. Not only do we get almost 100% attendance from employees, but we also welcome many of their parents, spouses, kids, siblings, friends, etc. It may sound cliche, but it really is a special event for them.
This is new Officer Ronnie Henke. He started with us in 2004. He is going to be a good one. That’s his Dad pinning his badge on him after he was officially sworn-in. I spoke to his Dad briefly after the ceremony. He was a career Police Officer in Mound. He was a proud father. He could not be happier that his son is on our Police force.
That’s Sgt. Jim Morrow at the podium. He presented awards to Officer Andy Rohde (on the left) and Sgt. David Becker for their 10+ years of service to our Emergency Response Unit (aka “SWAT”). Sgt. Becker was working and could not attend last night’s event, so his young son stood in for him to accept the award. Sure, he’s a cute kid, but what impressed me was his poise. No giggling or clowning around. This is a respectful event and this little guy acted accordingly. I was impressed with him.
That’s Lt. Jim DeMann having his new badge pinned on him by his Mother. Lt. DeMann was promoted this past year from Sgt. DeMann. Jim has worked for our Police Department since 1983. He’s one of our top performers, and a pretty good guy too. I talked to both of his parents as well. They are very proud of him.
Last, but certainly not least, at last night’s event came the awarding of the Officer of the Year. The Officer of the Year award is given out by the Department’s Labor-Management Team (LMT). The LMT consists of employees from all strata of the Police Department, plus myself and the City’s Human Resources Manager Karen Kurt. We meet each month to talk about personnel, management, and operations issues in the Police Department.
We also pick the Officer of the Year based upon nominations submitted by Police Department employees. This year’s winner is Officer Orrin Alt. Officer Alt is a career officer in our Department. He is a traffic control specialist. He believes strongly in the importance of traffic law enforcement and the effect that has to create a safer community. That’s Officer Alt in the foreground; Sgt. Randy Thompson at the podium; and Chief Dan Carlson on the right.
I’m tempted to say we’re lucky to have the high quality Police Department we have here in Eden Prairie, but “luck” really has nothing to do with it. Maybe “fortunate” is a better word. We take great care in the selection of the men and women who we entrust to provide public safety in Eden Prairie. We want to hire the best because we know that, more often than not, when a young officer starts working here, they’ll stay here for their entire career. I believe that says a lot about our community, and about our Department.
I count myself as fortunate to work with them
One Comment
Jim,
As always I have been very proud of my brother Jim DeMann. I only wish I had half the character he has. He has always made our family proud and will always give me someone to look up to.
I saw him get rewarded with the medal of valor for saving a lady from a burning house and watched him provide so much pride for our family as that honor was bestowed on him. It really gave our family a small hint of the feeling of what it is like to be a hero. He is a hero in my heart and always will be. Good luck to you and your family and the work you are so good at.
Sincerely,
John P. DeMann, Ph.D.