They come from far and wide: Palo Alto, Pittsburgh, East Lansing, Madison, and Dickeyville. Proficiencies in language include Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, Hmong and American Sign.
Life experiences are vast: social worker, cops, librarian, teacher, intelligence specialist, fitness coach, personal care worker, digital media specialist, medical assistant, hair stylist, paramedic, and able bodied seaman, to name a few.
The average age is 29.5 (oldest is 52/youngest is 22). Gender breakdown is 62% male, 38% female (and while I wish this were better, one has to consider that the national average for women is 12%). By way of racial diversity, 78% are white and 22% are people of color.
In terms of education, degrees are far ranging from education, liberal arts, international affairs, political science, psychology, mass communication, animal science, and let's not forget criminal justice. Approximately 94% have bachelor's and/or master's degrees; including three who are attorneys who hold a juris doctorate.
If you haven't guessed by now, the aforementioned trivia describes MPD's 60th pre-service recruit class that takes the oath of office today! This group will now embark upon a nine month crusade which will involve five months of training at our in-house academy facility followed by four months of field training--where the lessons learned in the classroom are applied through the watchful eyes of a field training coach. All in all, the incubation period for an officer to become a solo practitioner assigned to Patrol Services is nine long and stressful months. In the end, however, all of their hard work will pay dividends as they eagerly embrace the opportunity to be a guardian to the community!
The entire MPD Family is reinvigorated when we can add to our legacy of service. In these turbulent times, it is always affirming to see that there are still those among us who are willing to take on the challenges of a noble calling! Good luck, recruits!
From 5:30 a.m. on 09/10/2017 through 5:30 a.m. on 09/11/2017, MPD received 379 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials.
1) EAST: Domestic Disturbance – 4:10 a.m. Officers were dispatched to Eastbound Beltline regarding a disturbance. In the background of the 911 call a verbal argument could be overheard. A passerby called 911 to report what he believed to be an accident involving two vehicles in this same area. Officers responded and initially located only one vehicle and no occupants. Multiple agencies assisted and a second vehicle and two subjects (23 year old AAM suspect and 21 year old AAF victim) are located. Investigation reveals a domestic disturbance had taken place between the suspect and victim on Great Gray Drive. The victim fled the area in her vehicle and the suspect gave chase. The suspect rammed the victim's vehicle and battered the victim once their vehicles came to a stop. The suspect was arrested for 2nd degree recklessly endangering safety, intimidation of a victim, battery and disorderly conduct. Investigation continuing.
2) EAST: Check Person – 9:05 a.m. Officers responded to the 800 block of Ziegler where a subject (59 year old WM) was causing a disturbance. The subject has mental health concerns and was at this location on a Chapter 51 order from another county. Officers made contact and the subject was cooperative with them. No charges or actions by officers. The facility was in the process of contacting the county that brought the subject to them to be transported back to their county. ** Officers were dispatched to this address an additional two times before 7pm. The subject/suspect was ultimately taken to jail for his behavior (making racial slurs, walking naked in front of a window, and throwing things at a neighbor). Investigation continuing.
3) NORTH: Domestic Disturbance – 11:31 a.m. Officers responded to the 2500 block of Brentwood Parkway for a disturbance. A suspect (18 year old AAF) was contacted by police and charged with criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct after it was discovered she caused damage to the residence and she threatened a neighbor. Investigation continuing.
4) NORTH: Child Abuse – 12:23 p.m. Officers were dispatched to a local hospital where a 1 year old AAF child was brought to the hospital with injuries which were concerning to hospital staff as being suspicious in nature. The child's father (24 year old AAM) had an outstanding warrant so therefore he was taken into custody/taken to jail. The child was released to the care of her mother. Investigation continuing.
5) WEST: Accident Hit and Run – 6:33 p.m. Officers responded to Shoreham Drive where a vehicle crashed into a home. Witness statements reported that the vehicle was driving at a high rate of speed when it crashed into the home and two occupants (teenage AAM's) fled the vehicle. Investigation continuing.
6) NORTH: OMVWI Arrest/Intoxicated Driver – 6:36 p.m. Officers responded to the area of Packers/Northport for a driver all over the road. Officers made contact with the driver/suspect (35 year old WM) who was arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated.
7) EAST: Domestic Disturbance – 6:47 p.m. Officers responded to the 7000 block of Littlemore Drive for a disturbance between the suspect (36 year old WM) and the victim (33 year old HF). Three children were present during the altercation and one of the children called 911. A 5 year old child (HF) was also a victim during the altercation. The suspect was arrested for disorderly conduct, strangulation, battery and physical abuse to a child.
8) SOUTH: Weapons Offense – 7:38 p.m. Officers responded to Adeline Circle where 3 suspects (teenagers, one AAF and two AAM's) demanded to speak with the son of the victim (47 year old AAM) about a stolen check. At one point the suspects attempted to force their way into the home and a butt of a gun is shown by one of the suspect's. The suspects flee the area. Investigation continuing.
9) CENTRAL: Strong Arm Robbery – 9:31 p.m. Officers responded to the area of Emerson/Park where the victim was asked by a suspect for the time of day, at which point she took out her phone and it was forcibly taken from her. The victim recognized the suspect as a subject she had seen earlier in the night at a residence. Officers made contact at the residence the victim provided and it is believed that one of the suspects (17 year old AAM) resides there. Investigation continuing.
10) EAST: Missing Juvenile/Runaway – 11:18 p.m. Officers responded to Maple Avenue for a report of a missing juvenile (17 year old WF). No health, mental health or safety concerns for the juvenile. Attempt to locate aired and she was listed in the appropriate databases as missing.
11) CENTRAL: Sexual Assault – 11:33 p.m. Officers responded to N. Brooks Street where a victim (24 year old WF) was assaulted by a suspect (AAM). Investigation continuing.
12) CENTRAL: OMVWI Arrest/Intoxicated Driver – 11:50 p.m. Officers responded to S. Fourth Street for a single vehicle rollover accident. The driver/suspect (28 year old WF) was arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated (2nd offense). She had in her possession a substance that tested positive for fentanyl.
13) CENTRAL: Weapons Offense – 1:42 a.m. Officers responded to the 600 block of State Street where a victim (23 year old WM) was walking down the street when a suspect (36 year old WM) lunged at him with a knife. The victim was able to block the attack and escape. The suspect was identified, located and arrested. Investigation continuing.
14) EAST: Burglary Non-Residential – 1:43 a.m. Officers responded to a business in the 4200 block of Lien Road after a security company observed subjects inside the store. The suspects fled prior to the arrival of the officers. Damage was done to the store. Items were stolen. Investigation continuing.