Http:// Brent J. Baloun, Chief of Police “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Soren Koerkegaard

http://www.ci.becker.mn.us

Brent J. Baloun, Chief of Police

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”

Soren Koerkegaard

BECKER POLICE DEPARTMENT

2008 Annual Report

Submitted By:

Brent J. Baloun

Chief of Police

Becker Police Department

12060 Sherburne Ave, PO Box 250

Becker, MN 55308

Phone: 763.261.4300 • Fax: 763.261.5344

Cover photo: The Becker Police Department shoulder patch was redesigned and approved for use in May 2008. Special thanks to the Becker High School, teacher Joni Svaren and student Alex Crapser for their

assistance in this redesign.

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Table of contents

Table of Contents 2

Chief’s Message 3

Mission Statement 4

Core Values5

Organizational Chart/Personnel 7

2008 Budget8

Programs:

Safe and Sober 12

NightCap 13

Alcohol/Tobacco Compliance 14

Training 15

Statistical Information:

Calls for Service by Time of Day 16

Calls for Service by Day of Week17

Calls for Service by Month 18

Part I Offenses 19

Part II Offenses 20

Miscellaneous Statistical Information21

Records and Administration 22

Volunteer Police Reserves 23

2008 Department Highlights 24

Acknowledgements 26

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April 2009

To the Becker City Council and Citizens of Becker:

The Becker Police Department proudly submits this 2008 Annual Police Department Report for your review.

As identified in last year’s Annual Report, our Police Department stands proudly behind the work and accomplishments of its’ staff. We are continually challenged with the decisions that effect both our department and our citizens. We continue to be prudent in our spending and continue to work toward efficiencies that make the work we do better and more meaningful to the citizens of Becker.

This past year did not see any major increases in any particular area of crime within our City. Minor thefts rose somewhat, but the increase was not overly significant. In fact, the Becker Police Department saw a reduction in calls for service over previous years. There are many theories related to this, but we feel the state of the economy is likely a large contributor to this and the fact that we are spending more productive time following up on crime and investigating other criminal activity. Rest assured that because there are less calls for service, our police officers are still working toward being visible, investigating crimes, and initiating activity that is in the best interest of keeping our community as safe as possible.

The Becker Police Department staff is thankful for the support that we receive on a daily basis from our City Council and the residents of our great City. With that, we thank you!

Personally, without the support and commitment of the men and women of the Becker Police Department, the services and philosophies outlined in this Annual Report would not be possible. For that, I extend my gratitude to my officers and staff.

Respectfully submitted,


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Chief’s Message

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Mission Statement:

We shall commit ourselves and the department and all of its available resources to attend to the needs of the community we serve and provide the best service possible for the community. Politics shall not show persuasion in the course of our duties; we shall hold true to fair and equal treatment of all individuals. To reach this end, we establish and hold true this philosophy and these core values for the Becker Police Department and its employees, now and into the future.

Core Values:

PRIDEPROFESSIONALISM

RESPECTPARTICIPATION

SOLIDARITYINNOVATION

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Core Values:

Pride: Each of us shall take pride in the duties we perform, take pride in the department, and the environment we create as citizens of the community. We shall take pride in our individual and collective ability to meet and/or exceed the expectations of our community.

Professionalism: Each of us understands the nobility of the profession we have chosen. We shall hold ourselves to the highest of professional standards of police conduct, by subscribing honorably to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics established by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Respect: We shall respect and value human life, basic human rights, human safety and the preservation of human dignity. We shall provide a fair and impartial, open minded attitude toward all persons we may encounter. We shall embrace diversity and be understanding and empathetic toward the differences we may encounter in the course of our duties. Our co-workers adhere to these same principles and we shall respect them, support them in their duties and be flexible in the relationships we enjoy with them. We shall respect ourselves by performing our duties to the best of our abilities; by staying mentally, emotionally and physically healthy; and focusing on our duties as Peace Officers, employees of the Becker Police Department and important members of the community we serve.

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Core Values:

Participation: Our participation in the commitment we have as a department is vital for the community, the citizens of the community, and the department as a whole. As individuals we shall remain open minded, approachable and flexible to change.

Solidarity: The Becker Police Department will function better as a cohesive unit that emphasizes collaboration and positive partnerships within the community and the department itself. We shall operate with respect to these partnerships to uphold the solidarity and cohesiveness.

Innovation: To achieve an end of providing the best product we possibly can for our community, we shall continue to involve ourselves in meaningful training that advances our knowledge and capabilities as Peace Officers.

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Becker Police Department - Organization

Brent J. BalounChief of Police

Greg BrattSergeant

FullTime PoliceOfficers

Part Time PoliceOfficers

Admin/SecretarialStaff

Volunteer PoliceReserve Unit

Officer Bruce WipperOfficer Dave EullOfficer Tim Martin

Officer John TimmersOfficer Mark RoelikeOfficer Mike SkoogOfficer Chad GieserOfficer Deb Hanssen

Admin Secretary June HubbardPT Secretary Marilyn Danielson

Res Sgt Jon KurtzRes Charles TiegenRes Mark MarshallRes Caleb SeversonRes Kathy SherrardRes Lisa Welle4 open spots

2008 Personnel Changes:Promotion:

FT Officer Greg Bratt to Sergeant – Nov 2008

Photo from the Nov. 23, 2008, edition of the Becker Citizen newspaper. Photo reprinted with permission. (Photographer Bill Morgan).

Officer Greg Bratt being promoted to the rank of Sergeant in front of the Becker City Council. Officer Bratt is having his Sergeant badge pinned on him by Chief Brent Baloun.

Becker Police Department - Budget

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2005 Budget $534,950 (Budgeted) $562,704 (Actual)




The 2008 budget saw a substantial increase due mainly to a scheduled computer system upgrade with the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Department. Nearly $106,900 was budgeted for capital expenses to provide for a new squad car, 3 new computers, computer software and programming upgrades with the County, and for the 800MHz radio project. We were fortunate that we were still able to incur some savings from these projects and come in under budget by over $25,000.

Wages: Salaries for Chief, Officers, and Secretarial staff

Capital: Capital Expenses, Revolving Capital

Fuel & Transportation: Fuel costs for squad cars

Training & Conferences: Costs associated with attendance at trainings

Contracted Services: Legal, Cleaning Services

Personnel: PERA, FICA, Workers Comp, Unemployment

General Operating: Office Supplies

Other/Misc: Repairs, Maintenance, Safety, Dues, etc.

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The Becker Police Department throughout the year also collects money to assist The Becker Police Department throughout the year also collects money to assist with its ‘budgeting process. Some of the sources of revenue include the following with its ‘budgeting process. Some of the sources of revenue include the following (numbers may vary based on time of reporting and when revenues are received):(numbers may vary based on time of reporting and when revenues are received):

Source of Revenue Amount of Revenue

2007 2008Safe and Sober Grant $4,273.71

$4,446.63Operation NiteCap $1,473.82

$2,352.33Alcohol Compliance checks $320.00 $0.00Tobacco Compliance checks $0.00$400.00Donations $2,750.00

$3,050.00State training reimbursement $4,019.80

$3,604.83State Police Aid $26,185.00$29,919.00Forfeitures $1050.00$367.77Liquor Compliance (grant) $250.00 $0.00State Fines $14,856.93

$12,092.94Administrative Fines $4,050.00

$10,545.00

Footprints observed and photographed as part of several investigations by Becker Police Officers in 2008.

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Upgrades and acquisitions for 2008:

• 1 Ford Crown Victoria Squad Car (#909) replaced squad #906. Squad #906 is used as a spare vehicle. (Budgeted $26,000)

• 2 Panasonic Toughbook Laptop computers for squad cars, to include updated docking stations. (Budgeted $8,400)

• 1 Desktop computer to replace older computer for use by Secretary for mobile software. (Budgeted $2,500)

• Computer system upgrade with the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Department. (Budgeted $30,000)

• 800 MHz radio project – install of radio equipment. (Budgeted $20,000)

• Computer interoperability project with the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Department. (Budgeted $20,000 – project never happened in 2008).

• Transfer to Revolving Capital Account. ($20,000)

Obtained via grant/or other for 2008:

• 3 Camera attachments for Tasers and 1 HD Video camera (Cost $2,000 and was purchased with funds from Eddy Foundation grant).

• 3 Nikon Digital Cameras for each of the squad cars (Donation from Xcel Energy, Becker)

• Bullard Thermal Imaging Camera from Department of Homeland Security. (Donation is valued at $19,000)

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Becker Police Department - Programs

Operation NiteCap (Nighttime Concentrated Alcohol Patrol) is an impaired driving prevention program designed to reduce highly preventable alcohol-related traffic deaths on Minnesota’s highways. The program is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety.

In 2008, law enforcement agencies within Sherburne County began participation in a new program called CRASH – Collision Reduction And Safer Highways. This is a High Visibility Enforcement campaign designed to locate and arrest ALL impaired drivers and to remove Sherburne County from being on the list of the 13 deadliest counties in Minnesota.

1 Hennepin2 Ramsey3 Anoka4 St.Louis5 Dakota6Wright7 Stearns8 Rice9 Sherburne10 Crow Wing11Washington12 Blue Earth13 Itasca

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The Becker Police Department is an active participant in these alcohol impaired enforcement programs. The Elk River Police Department is the fiscal agent for the grant that provides the Becker Police Department reimbursement funds for officer time spent within these enforcement programs.

2008 Safe and Sober Program Totals:2006 2007 2008

Grant funds used $3,819.56 $4,714.68 $2,506.01Overtime hours worked 135.5 178 103Shifts worked 27 43 23Miles patrolled 2,436 3,085 1823Vehicles Stopped 181 243 127Custodial arrests made 10 11 2DUI Arrests 5 7 1Under 21 drink and drive 1 0 0Warrant arrests 6 4 1Drug arrests 1 0 0DAR/DAS/DAC 7 8 3Citations issued 117 (147 Warnings) 110 (235) 57 (111)Speeding citations 56 (87 Warnings) 38 (95) 33 (21)Seatbelt citations 22 (5 Warnings) 27 (7) 6 (0)Equipment citations 12 (21 Warnings) 0 (60) 2 (45)Miscellaneous citations 27 (0 Warnings) 30 (73) 12 (41)* A change in how statistics are evaluated resulted in the decrease in numbers

for 2008 *

Front and reverse side of business card handed out during each traffic stop.


2008 NiteCap Program Totals:2006 2007 2008

Grant funds reimbursed $1,961.76 $1,860.85 $2,213.25Overtime hours worked 78 74 77.5Miles patrolled 1,160 1,165 1,582Shifts worked 11 11 11Vehicles stopped 75 73 81Custodial arrests made 6 8 0DUI’s 3 6 4Warrant arrests 2 1 0Drug arrests 3 2 1DAR/DAS/DAC 3 2 0Minor Consumption 10 4 2No insurance 1 0 0Open bottle 1 0 0Citations issued 23 (58 Warnings) 30 (76) 24 (92)Speeding citations 14 (26 Warnings) 8 (19) 12 (14)Equipment citations 1 (17 Warnings) 0 (36) 1 (44)Miscellaneous citations 8 (15 Warnings) 9 (21) 5 (32)

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2008 Alcohol and Tobacco compliance checks

January 1, 2008- December 31, 2008

2008 Tobacco Compliance Checks:

In August 2008, six (6) businesses within the City of Becker were checked for compliance dealing with underage sales of tobacco. Four (4) businesses were found to be in violation. All were assessed an administrative penalty of $100 for the violation through City Ordinance 6.20.

Eight (8) businesses had alcohol compliance checks within the months of June and in December. No businesses failed in June while one (1) business failed a check in December. An administrative fee of $750 was assessed against the business for the failure pursuant to City Ordinance 5.02.

The Becker Police Department will continue to monitor our tobacco and The Becker Police Department will continue to monitor our tobacco and alcohol license holders in an effort to reduce the likelihood that these alcohol license holders in an effort to reduce the likelihood that these substances will come into the hands of our youth!substances will come into the hands of our youth!

2008 Alcohol Compliance Checks:


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TRAINING

Each year the Officers of the Becker Police Each year the Officers of the Becker Police Department participate in various trainings in an Department participate in various trainings in an effort to stay up on the latest information and effort to stay up on the latest information and technology within law enforcement. Additionally, technology within law enforcement. Additionally, Officers are mandated by the Minnesota P.O.S.T. Officers are mandated by the Minnesota P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Board to (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Board to complete 48 continuing education credits every complete 48 continuing education credits every three years to remain licensed. For more three years to remain licensed. For more information on the training requirements, you can information on the training requirements, you can visit the P.O.S.T. Board website at the following:visit the P.O.S.T. Board website at the following:

http://www.dps.state.mn.us/newpost/posthome.asp

The following is a list of trainings completed during 2008 by Officers of the Becker Police Department:

• Firearms Qualification• 1st Responder refresher• Use of Force• Crime Free Multi Housing• Data Practices: HR and Personnel• Data Practices: Criminal Records• Background Investigations• Understanding and Planning for School Bomb Incidents• Crisis Communication in Schools• Toward Zero Death Conference• Advanced Emergency Driving School• FBI Crime Scene Survey, Diagramming, and Documentation• Advanced Thermal Imaging Camera Training• Taser Instructor Recertification• Taser Refresher• Intoxilyzer Operator Recertification• MN Chief of Police Conference • OSHA Right to Know, Bloodborne Pathogens• League of Minnesota Cities PATROL Online Training

http://www.dps.state.mn.us/newpost/posthome.asp

Becker Police Department – Statistical Information

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Calls for service by time of day

By the numbers:

Time: 2006 2007 2008 Change

0000-0259 547 511 382 ▼129

0300-0559 342 227 173 ▼54

0600-0859 378 390 367 ▼23

0900-1159 576 620 641 ▲21

1200-1459 549 535 499 ▼36

1500-1759 609 622 604 ▼18

1800-2059 641 701 581 ▼120

2100-2359 723 633 637 ▲4

TOTAL 4365 4239 3884 ▼355


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Calls for service by day of the week

By the numbers:

Day 2006 2007 2008 Change

Monday 606 619 508 ▼111

Tuesday 594 539 535 ▼4

Wednesday 615 612 539 ▼73

Thursday 591 623 540 ▼83

Friday 681 659 587 ▼72

Saturday 707 637 664 ▲27

Sunday 571 550 511 ▼30

TOTAL 4365 4239 3884 ▼355


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Calls for service by month

By the numbers:

Month: 2006 2007 2008 Change

January 355 362 386 ▲24

February 374 301 269 ▼32

March 393 330 253 ▼77

April 358 344 295 ▼49

May 468 384 328 ▼56

June 371 445 330 ▼115

July 411 401 354 ▼47

August 384 401 352 ▼49

September 319 324 293 ▼31

October 393 373 364 ▼9

November 320 294 306 ▲12

December 361 280 354 ▲74

TOTAL 4365 4239 3884 ▼355


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PART I OFFENSES REPORTED IN 2008PART I OFFENSES REPORTED IN 2008

Part I offenses reflect information on eight “serious” crime Part I offenses reflect information on eight “serious” crime classifications, and is generally referred to as the “Crime classifications, and is generally referred to as the “Crime Index” measurement. Each category may also include Index” measurement. Each category may also include

various sub-classifications which are included in the total for various sub-classifications which are included in the total for each category.each category.

(NOTE: Numbers identify reports to the police department, (NOTE: Numbers identify reports to the police department, and may not necessarily reflect those that have been charged and may not necessarily reflect those that have been charged or prosecuted as such.)or prosecuted as such.)

2006 2007 2008

Murder 0 0 0Rape (Force or attempt) 0 0

1Robbery (Armed, Strongarm) 1 0 1Assault (Gun, Knife, Hands, Other) 6 2

9Burglary (Forcible, No Force, Attempted) 21 15 12Larceny (Theft) 129 103 131Auto Theft 2 3 2Arson 1 0 1

Discovery Channel film crew working with Officer Mark Roelike during filming of a segment for their Discovery Investigations Channel program titled, “30 Pieces of Silver.”


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PART II OFFENSES REPORTED IN 2008PART II OFFENSES REPORTED IN 2008

Part II offenses are the “less serious” identified crimes. Part II offenses are the “less serious” identified crimes. Each category also includes various sub-classifications Each category also includes various sub-classifications

which are included in the total for each category.which are included in the total for each category.

(NOTE: Numbers identify reports to the police department, (NOTE: Numbers identify reports to the police department, and may not necessarily reflect those that have been and may not necessarily reflect those that have been charged or prosecuted as such.)charged or prosecuted as such.)

2006 2007 2008

Other Assaults 34 22 19Forgery/Counterfeiting 11 10

2Fraud 10 13 19Embezzlement 0 0 0Stolen Property 0 0 0Vandalism/Destruction of Property 79 98

60Weapons 0 0 0Prostitution 0 0

0Other Sex Offenses 5 9 4Narcotics 38 13 11Gambling 0 0 0Family/Children 10 19 32D.U.I. 58 71 34Liquor Laws 2 25

40Disorderly Conduct 10 9 4

Pictures from a burglary scene where blood was found on a file cabinet. The blood was ultimately matched with a suspect by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).

Additional Citations Issued: 2007 2008

Speeding 230 191

Warnings-Speed 183 151

Stop Sign Violations 91 67

Expired License Tabs 44 25

Parking Violations 33 146

Seatbelt Violations 31 12

Driving After Revocation 28 10

Driving After Suspension 26 10

Other:

Alarms 348 240

Vehicle Lockouts 176 189

Medicals 118 157

Vehicle Accidents (all) 106 126

Animals At Large/Missing 96 74

Other Agency Assist 51 100

Juvenile Runaway 12 12

Curfew -- 9

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Becker Police Department – Misc. Statistical Information

Pictures showing where a drunk driver had driven through the ditch. An investigation led to the vehicle that had left these tracks in the grass.

Becker Police Department – Other

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Records and Administration:

As a department, we continue to transition to the use of digitized equipment to assist in using our time more efficiently. One such way was the installation of a digital transcription module in the fall of 2006. In some cases, reports are still written out; however, we are continuing to complete reports as much as possible in the digital format. It is likely that more will be done in the future in this area and paperwork may even be scanned reducing the amount of paperwork generated.

Transcriptions completed in 2008:

Statements completed: 126 Reports completed: 402

Average length of time for statements: 8.382 minutes per statement Average length of time for reports: 7.577 minutes per report

Administrative Citations:

Administrative Citations processed: 254 Administrative Citations not paid: 17 (state citation issued for non-payment) Administrative Citations dismissed: 3

Law Enforcement agencies represented in Sherburne County

Volunteer Police Reserve Program

The Becker Volunteer Police Reserve Program is made up of men and women

who volunteer their time to assist the Becker Police Department with various needs

and projects throughout the year. Without the help of the Reserve Unit, the Department would likely incur more overtime and be less responsive to the

needs ofour citizens and our community.

TOTAL HOURS VOLUNTEERED IN 2008: 510 hours510 hours would equate to nearly $9,500 in Officer time saved to the City of

Becker

Events/opportunities that the Reserve Unit assisted in and hours volunteered:

Ride Along 271Freedom Days 42.25State Golf Tournament 23.5Safe and Sober 21 Traffic: Schools 21Training 18Becker Football Games 17All night grad party 13Security Checks 13Relay for Life 12Safety Camp 11.5Meetings 9Other: Schools 8.5Street light checks 7National Night Out 6Church functions 5Shop with a Cop 4Public Assist/Fire, etc 3Mock Crash 2.25Food Drive 2

Thank you to our Volunteer Police Reserves for your support and assistance throughout this past year. Your help is very much

appreciated!

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Becker Police Department – Other

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January – Computers within the Police Department and squad cars were upgraded with the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Department.

February – The Becker Police Department Volunteer Police Reserve Unit kicked off its’ recruiting drive.

March – A Becker Police Officer was sent to Chicago, IL, as part of a FEMA grant for training on the use of a Thermal Imaging Camera obtained via federal grant.

April – Officers participated in a mock crash incident at the Becker High School. April – A Becker Police Officer assisted in the arrest of a man from Rice, MN after he was found in a local park sexually assaulting a 13 year old female that he had met on the internet. April – A Becker Police Officer was invited to attend a Crime Scene Survey and Diagramming class for 1 week at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. The FBI paid for all expenses.

May – Becker Officer’s assisted the Discovery Channel in filming a segment for a program dealing with high profile cases and interviews and interrogations. The program later aired on the Discover Investigations channel and was titled, “30 Pieces of Silver.” May - The Minnesota Chief’s of Police Association donated a free laptop computer to the Police Department.

June – Another successful Safety Camp was held with 96 participants. June – Officers also participated in another eventful but safe Freedom Days celebration.

August – The Police Department completed a round of tobacco compliance checks and found that 4 local businesses failed by selling tobacco to a minor.

Becker Police Department – Highlights 2008

Becker Police Department – Highlights 2008

September – A Becker Police Officer receives a Crime Scene Technician certification from the International Association for identification making the Becker Police Department the only law enforcement agency in Central Minnesota with 2 certified crime scene analysts. September – The Police Department receives a grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Gambling Division to assist in providing alcohol compliance checks.

October – The Police Department begins having a presence at the Becker Community Center in an effort to assist in youth development. October – The Becker Police Department along with other law enforcement agencies within Sherburne County begins its’ involvement in CRASH, Collision Reduction And Safer Highways to help reduce the number of drunk drivers on our roadways and the number of crashes associated with the use of alcohol.

November – Officer Greg Bratt is promoted to the rank of Sergeant after a lengthy testing process. November – The Police Department purchases Taser Cams with a grant from the Eddy Foundation. These cameras are attached to Tasers allowing for incidents to captured via video.

December – The Police Department conducts Use of Force training with the assistance of the Brooklyn Center Police Department. December – 800MHz radios are received by the Police Department. These were provided through a grant obtained by the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Department. December - 1 local business failed an alcohol compliance check and was later given a civil penalty by the Becker City Council for $750.25

The 2008 Annual Report was prepared by the following:


Greg Bratt, Sergeant

June Hubbard, Administrative Secretary

Special thanks to the men and women of the Becker Police Department whose devotion and commitment help make

Becker what it is!

INTEGRITYLooking forward to the consequences of our actions;

Uprightness of character and soundness of moral principles; includes the qualities of truthfulness and

honesty.

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Documents

Http:// Brent J. Baloun, Chief of Police “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Soren Koerkegaard