This guest article comes from Jeff Dickerman, a participant in the Citizen Police Academy.  After the first week he submitted an article and her are this thoughts after graduation.

Citizen Police Academy – Graduation

Lowell Police Department’s eight-week course known as the Citizen Police Academy ended Thursday night with a course review, pizza, and graduation for the participants.  This author feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn about that part of government that affects each of us most closely, but was never taught in high school government class.   Originally established by former Lowell Police Chief Jim Valentine, Lowell’s current Police Chief Steven Bukala decided it was time to re-establish the Academy.  The Academy was created “to continue the positive movement in the relationships between the citizens of Lowell and their police department.”  Like a similar program sponsored by the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, the Lowell PD Citizen Academy is structured to inform average citizens about the daily duties, responsibilities, and challenges of today’s Police Officers and Deputies.

Each weekly two-hour session covered some aspect of the legal system from policing efforts, criminal investigations, legal prosecution, and final judgement.   Over the course we heard from Sgt. Christopher Hurst, Detective Scot Van Solkema, Officers Gordy Lauren, Dustin Brown and several of the part-time officers who make up Lowell Police Department.  Activities included an air-soft training range, mock crime scene investigations, witness interviews, mock accident scene, and routine traffic stops.  Each participant was offered an opportunity to ride-along to see first-hand how a day in the life of an officer looks from their perspective.  During week four Deputy Dan Alderink showed up with his German Shepard K9 partner – 105 lbs. of pure muscle who took his job very seriously.  Overall, the Academy was an eye-opening experience.

Response and Investigation

During the first week we learned the “science” behind police science which includes using statistical models to anticipate when and where a police presence may be required.  For instance, the software tools available to our police today allow them to anticipate when and where traffic accidents are likely to occur.  But my biggest take-away from the Academy was the realization that a small town police force has one advantage beyond the software models – Lowell’s police are out in the community and know the individuals most likely to perpetrate crimes.  With a local police presence, witnessed crimes can often be resolved in a matter of hours, not days or weeks.

For instance, several years ago my wife and I witnessed the theft of a purse from a car in Lowell.  Our description of the thief’s vehicle was enough for Lowell’s responding officer to immediately locate the suspect at his home, allow us to identify him and the vehicle, and lead to an arrest – all in the same afternoon.  I’ve had a high level of respect for Lowell’s Police Department ever since.

Prosecution

An arrest is not the end of the case for the police, but the ball is handed off to the Prosecutor’s office.  In Lowell, that means the Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker and his team take over.   During week five we heard from Assistant Prosecutor Dan Helmer.  He explained how the legal system really works – not the way it’s portrayed on TV.  In the U.S. and in most of the western world, innocence is assumed and the prosecution must prove their case against a defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.  That leads to many plea bargains which usually keep the court dockets from being overwhelmed.  Prosecutors often have no choice but to dismiss the most egregious charges if they see very little chance of conviction.  Meanwhile, they may continue to request additional investigation from Lowell’s detective to help build the case.  Lowell was the first police unit in the area to adopt police body cams which have provided the much-needed proof in criminal complaints to get a conviction.

Here Comes the Judge

But even as the prosecution tries to build their case, one of Kent County’s many Judges may have to weigh in.  Judges get involved early by issuing arrest warrants to Lowell’s police.  This is far more common than many of us realize with warrants being issued daily and all Judges rotate weekend duty.

Week seven of the Academy featured a special guest speaker from the Kent County Circuit Court – the Honorable Dennis Leiber.  Judge Leiber is in his final 6-year term as a Circuit Court Judge and was one of the most interesting speakers in my opinion.  He explained that as a Judge, he has some latitude in applying the law during sentencing, but his powers as a Judge are limited.   Judge Leiber was in the news this week for sentencing an ex-FBI officer to 135 days for taking a shot at a Grand Rapids Police Officer.  His judgement came after the prosecutor was recommending no jail time at all.  Leiber stated, “I could not in conscience follow the prosecutor’s recommendation of no jail”.

“Any time anyone takes a shot at any peace officer, being locked up is a reality.”

 

 

Held to a Higher Standard

Perhaps Judge Leiber takes this position because he knows that all police officers are held to a higher standard than the general public, even while they are put in harm’s way.  Michigan’s electronic warrant manual is a continuously updated resource listing all the laws and offenses for which an individual may be charged and prosecuted.  While any of us may unknowingly violate one or more of these laws on any given day, even the most minor infraction by a police officer may be cause for suspension or worse.  A police officer’s career is on the line each and every day, and some days it may be his or her life that’s on the line.

So the next time you see the blue lights flashing in the rear-view mirror, give them the benefit of the doubt.  In Lowell, there’s a good chance you’re only being pulled over to inform you of a headlight that’s out or warning you to keep your speed at the posted limit.  After all, Lowell is a friendly and safe town.  The Lowell Police Department’s job is to keep it that way.