2022 Blaine Police Department Annual Report

City of Blaine Police Department

Mission Statement

As proud members of our community, we, the members of the Blaine Police Department, strive to enhance the quality of life in Blaine by serving with integrity, respect, and professionalism.

Core Values Integrity, Respect, and Professionalism

Message from Chief Podany

As your Police Chief, it is my honor to introduce you to the 2022 Blaine Police Department Annual Report. Although I don’t fancy myself much of a creative writer, I am fortunate that we have no shortage of material to share with you.

In reflecting on what we have achieved as a community, our data is staggering. We are a growing community. In the last five years, we have hired over 40 new officers. In that time, we have only lost one officer to another agency.

Additionally, we have enhanced our patrol coverage in multiple areas, including traffic, K9, and retail unit expansions, enhancement to our Community Action Team (CAT), and added additions to auxiliary functions such as housing specialty officers, increased sergeant coverage to ensure 24 hour supervision, and a mobile field force that is second to none in maintaining order and protecting the constitutional liberties we are so fortunate to have.

We have revamped our organizational structure, hired and restructured our Community Service unit, enhanced our Evidence unit, created a Crime Analysis unit, created an Embedded Mental Health unit, enhanced our Officer Wellness program, greatly enhanced our social media presence and Emergency Management capacity, and implemented the National Incident-Based Reporting System with an unparalleled error/success rate not seen elsewhere. We also implemented scientific analysis and deployment of our patrol resources, planned and executed multiple major international sporting events including soccer tournaments, hockey tournaments, ultimate frisbee tournaments, and PGA golf tournaments, and had staff that has been challenged with continuing increasing amounts of training and greater professional standards placed upon us while undergoing greater public scrutiny than virtually any other common profession in existence.

So where has that gotten us? We believe that we are providing exceptional services to our residents, businesses, and visitors. We are flooded with compliments and feedback from members of the public detailing the compassion, integrity, dedication, and sacrifice of our staff. We receive few complaints, which is staggering given that we respond to over 50,000 calls for service a year, (close to 140 calls for service each day.) We have become a destination department for many officers, thanks to our supportive Community members as well as our City Council and City Leadership.

We are also making Blaine a safer Community for everyone. In the last five years, Part 1 Crimes (the more serious crimes) are up across the State of Minnesota 36 percent. Over the same period of time in Blaine, our Part 1 Crimes are down 29 percent. Part 2 Crimes have increased slightly across the State 2 percent while in Blaine, Part 2 Crimes are down 32 percent. These are flat overall numbers and do not account for the numbers as a percentage of our overall calls for service, which would make the numbers even more impressive. During this same time frame, we have seen an overall increase in annual calls for service of 26 percent, which is steadily increasing with the growth of our Blaine Community.

Our goal is to continue to make Blaine the safest Community it can be. We owe it to future generations, and we thank the sacrifice to those that have come before us. As you read through our Annual Report, I ask you to not only pay attention to the data but pay attention to the people behind the data. Think about those that are giving so much of themselves to make this a better place. And, next time you see them out and about, thank them. Thank them for doing what they do so we can enjoy the freedom, liberty, and safety of living in the greatest City in the greatest Country in the world.

Remember, please take the time to visit our website at BlaineSafetyServices.com and become a follower of the Blaine Police Department Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.

Brian Podany Chief of Police Blaine Police Department

Staffing

Department Overview Budget

Deputy Chief Dan Pelkey was promoted to this position in January 2022. Pelkey has been with the department for over 25 years and has served in every division of the department in various roles over his career.

He oversees and manages the day to day operations of the police department. He is also responsible for forecasting and monitoring the budget and capital expenses.

The police department’s operating budget was $14,782,250 with expenses totaling $13,852,090. Each division’s annual budget is displayed below.

The department continued efforts to increase staffing according to the five year staffing plan which includes adding two additional patrol officers each year to the overall authorized strength. The department has an authorized strength of 79 (six unfilled at the end of 2022.) A total of seven officers left the agency, while ten officers were added, for a net gain of three officers. With a larger than average turnover in recent years, the department is mostly comprised of members with fewer than five years of experience. Of those, many of the officers came to the Blaine Police Department with significant law enforcement experience from other agencies, adding to the diversity of perspectives that enrich the culture of the agency.

Sworn/Non-Sworn

73

(Number of staff )

Gender Ratio

Sworn Staff 16 Civilian Staff 65 Male 24 Female

Giving Back totheCommunity

Polar Plunge

The annual Polar Plunge was back in full swing this year on Crooked Lake in Coon Rapids. Plungers jumped into the icy cold lake to raise money for Special Olympics Minnesota. Team Blaine had several participants from the police department.

Guns-N-Hoses

The 6th annual Guns-N-Hoses charity hockey game pits police personnel against fire personnel for coveted bragging rights while raising funds to support a very important cause. The guns took home the trophy displayed here with Blaine Police Department players.

Torch Run

The Blaine Police Department joined law enforcement from around the region for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to raise money for Special Olympics. Blaine staff ran or biked from the Blaine Police Department to the Spring Lake Park Police Department.

Heroes & Helpers

The 13th annual Heroes & Helpers event was made possible again this year by generous donations from Target, the Blaine Police Federation, and the Blaine Festival. This program pairs first responders with kids in the community for a fun day of Christmas shopping at Target in Blaine. The program made it possible for 63 kids to shop, wrap gifts, and bring them home to their families with the help and guidance of the Blaine police staff and other first responders in the community.

Community Engagement

Safety Camp

The annual Blaine Safety Camp was held in August at SBM Fire Station 3. This year 140 incoming fourth graders gathered for two days of learning and fun. This very popular event focuses on teaching kids how to be safe in a variety of situations. Blaine police officers participated as group leaders and gave several demonstrations/safety tips.

Coffee with a Cop

Coffee with a Cop is a great way to connect over coffee and casual conversation about issues that matter most to those in the community. Blaine police officers participated in several of these events at local Starbucks throughout the year.

Citizens Academy

The Blaine Citizens Academy is an eight-week course designed to introduce residents to the structure and daily operations of the Blaine Police, Fire, and Community Standards departments. The fast-paced academy provides both classroom and hands-on training, offering a fun and safe behind-the-scenes look at the functions of safety services. The academy is free to anyone who lives or works in Blaine.

Night to Unite

Night to Unite is all about building community and trust. Over 100 Blaine neighborhoods hosted block parties. Public safety personnel, including many from the police department along with the City Council, made stops at multiple parties all over the city.

By the Numbers 2022

51,737 Calls for Service

2,490 Total Arrests

4,061 Citations Issued

1,125 Accidents

70,222 Policing Population 0 Homicides 7 Robberies

515 Animal Complaints

1,917 Medicals

82 Burglaries

766 Gun Permits Processed

77 Catalytic Converter Thefts

Crime Statistics (5-Year Trend)

Part 1 Crimes

Part 1 crimes are the most serious offenses.

Part 2 Crimes

Part 2 crimes are less serious offenses.

Administrative Services

Policies

The police department contracts with Lexipol, a national law enforcement policy company that ensures policies are legal and defensible, and that best practices are followed. The department’s entire policy manual is being reviewed and updated by the department’s command staff for the police chief’s final approval.

Support Services/Records

The records unit was under the supervision of support services manager, Wende Ferguson, until her retirement in July. Brooke Jacobson took over as supervisor and the records unit was moved under the umbrella of the administrative services division captain. The team consists of a lead technician and four record technicians.

The five member team provides support services to department staff, a variety of agencies, as well as to the general public. They continue to utilize technology to move documents and reports through various systems ensuring an efficient workflow.

A five year trend of incident reports processed is displayed below. There was a slight increase in reports processed in 2022.

Incident Reports Processed

20,086 21,481

18,580

17,974

18,201

Evidence/Property Room

The evidence department is responsible for receiving and maintaining the chain of custody for all evidence that is taken in by the police department. Evidence supervisor, Brooke Jacobson, added two new evidence technicians to the team in 2022.

There were 4,138 items of evidence taken in, 2,149 items disposed of, and 268 items were returned to the owner. This was a slight increase from the previous year. There were also 50 data requests received from the public and 1,534 digital media requests for discovery which was a significant increase from the previous year.

4,138 Items of Evidence

50 Public Data Requests

1,534 Discovery Requests

School Resource Officers (SROs)

School resource officers are responsible for safety and crime prevention in schools. They work closely with administrators to create a safer environment for both students and staff. Four of the department’s SROs returned to their respective schools for the start of the 2022-2023 school year. They conducted in-class presentations and safety education for three school districts. SROs are assigned to Blaine and Centennial High Schools, Roosevelt Middle School, and Westwood Intermediate and Middle School.

Along with current SROs, Officers Tou Vang and Haley Larson, two new SROs began this assignment in 2022. Officer Mark Allen is at Roosevelt Middle School and Officer Jackie Wagner is at Centennial High School.

Students from Blaine and Spring Lake Park High Schools painted murals for the police department incorporating their school mascot along with their vision of Blaine. The murals are proudly displayed in the police department for all to see and enjoy.

Police Officer Wellness by Enhancing Resiliency (P.O.W.E.R.) Program

The police department is proud to partner with Marie Ridgeway and Associates for their wellness program services. It is extremely important to the mission of the department that the wellbeing of every staff member is supported through having access to mental wellness professionals anytime it is needed for any reason.

Mental health professionals from Marie Ridgeway & Associates conduct yearly check-ins for staff, critical incident de-briefings for officers, new officer healthy family presentations, and provides ongoing mental health support and information for all staff members. All meetings are kept confidential. Marie Ridgeway & Associates facilitated two workshops in 2022 for officers and their significant others.

The department also has a peer support program available to officers. There are now seven trained peer support team members, an increase from four. The peer support team is dedicated to providing emotional support and understanding to public safety professionals who have experienced stress or trauma. The team is also a part of a larger Anoka County Public Safety Peer Support group.

Mental Health Program

The Blaine Police Department shared a part-time mental health professional with the Coon Rapids Police Department. In October 2022, Amanda Terwey was hired full time by the Blaine Police Department due to the overwhelming need for mental health services within the City. Terwey is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW), working in the areas of mental health, domestic abuse, substance abuse, and homelessness.

Terwey co-responds with officers to in-progress crisis calls and completes on scene assessments and referrals. Response plans are created for officers and resources are provided to individuals in a very timely manner. Increased community awareness is also provided.

As this new program continues to develop, focus areas include not only helping those with mental health needs, but also those experiencing substance abuse, domestic violence, as well as the unsheltered.

The number of mental health calls in the last four years shows the growing need for this new program.

Community Outreach Program

The community outreach program was redesigned in 2022 with input gathered from community and staff surveys, focus groups, and online and in person discussions and meetings. The goals and visions for the new program came from community members, associations and organizations, educators, civic groups, department staff as well as other law enforcement agencies.

Emily Douglas was hired as the new community outreach coordinator in August 2022. Douglas has a background in victim services and came with a wealth of knowledge and experience giving a new perspective to the program. Douglas is a member of several committees to network and build additional outreach opportunities for the police department.

As program coordinator, Douglas is responsible for social media communications as well as coordinating all the many events that bring the community and the police department together. Events that were coordinated include Night to Unite, Senior Safety Seminars, Coffee with a Cop, a Coat and Toy Drive, and many more.

Social Media Communications

The police department uses several different social media platforms as a way to broadcast up to date information and news to the public.

The number of social media followers and members on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Nextdoor, and YouTube are listed below.

Community Connect Program

The Community Connect program gives citizens of Blaine a way to join with their neighbors to make our community a safer place to live, work, and play. Community Connect is made up of six initiatives: crime mapping, camera registration, social media, Night to Unite, email updates, and home security surveys.

Join Community Connect at: BlaineMN.gov/CommunityConnect

21,001 Facebook Followers

2,491 Instagram Followers

2,384 Twitter Followers

20,964 Nextdoor Members

*New* Ring Neighbors

805 YouTube Subscribers

As proud members of our community, of the Blaine Police Department, of life in Blaine by serving and professionalism.

community, we, the members Department, strive to enhance the quality serving with integrity, respect, professionalism.

Patrol Division

The patrol division is led by Captain Matt Carlson who has been with the department for over 18 years, spending the last four as the patrol captain.

The division is comprised of 40 patrol officers and eight supervisors. They operate on 12-hour shifts with transitions generally occurring at 6AM and 6PM. A mid-shift team begins their patrol days at 10AM to cover the period when call volumes are at their peak.

The patrol division has several specialty units and assignments including bike patrol, retail specialists, traffic unit, dedicated DWI enforcement, K9 handlers, community assistance team, explorer advisors, and reserve coordinators. These specialty units and assignments fill certain niches that contribute to a more well-rounded agency as well as providing some variety and career opportunities for patrol staff.

Besides conducting self-initiated activities such as traffic enforcement and routine patrols, the division responded to 51,737 calls for service. With continued population growth in the City, predictably this was a 4.82 percent increase.

Vehicle Pursuits

Vehicle pursuits have become the subject of national debate due to the risks to the public, the suspect, as well as the pursuing officer. The Blaine Police Department has a strict pursuit policy that in part reads, “An individual's unreasonable desire to apprehend a fleeing suspect at all costs has no place in professional law enforcement pursuit.” Officers are expected to weigh many factors when engaging in a vehicle pursuit and determining when to terminate in favor of identifying and apprehending the fleeing suspect later.

Statistics from the last four years demonstrate that high termination rates do not result in corresponding rates of suspects escaping justice. Very often suspects are held accountable later, reinforcing the need to terminate pursuits that represent unreasonable risks and liabilities. Termination often means utilizing a safe and effective Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) bringing the pursuit to a rapid end.

Community Service Officers (CSOs)

Sergeant Barry Koch oversees the CSO unit which is comprised of one full time and several part time employees. The overarching goal is to prepare CSOs for future roles as sworn police officers. CSOs respond to a variety of non-emergency calls for service such as vehicle lockouts, animal complaints, motorist assists, and help with many functions within the department keeping things operating efficiently.

CSOs participate in large scale City events including the 3M Open, the Blaine Festival, and community outreach events including Bark in the Park, Safety Camp, Heroes and Helpers, and Night to Unite.

A strong emphasis is placed on training and growth opportunities for the CSO staff. The department regularly conducts cross-training between CSOs and sworn staff. Each CSO is assigned a sworn officer mentor to help guide them throughout their journey.

Field Training Officer Program (FTO)

Sergeant Mike Rygg took over the coordination of our field training program in early 2022. As the field training program coordinator, he is responsible for scheduling and tracking the progress of all new officer recruits through the program.

The field training program starts with a three week in-house academy session that serves to provide a strong foundation for the rigorous field based training that follows. Officer trainees are paired up with a variety of veteran field training officers who work with them side-by-side to build the skills and confidence needed to be a professional police officer. A typical training regimen consists of sixty 12-hour shifts and is structured to have the trainee take on additional responsibilities as they progress through the program.

As trainees work their way through the four field training phases, the FTO coordinator reports to the field training advisory board. The board approves continued advancement through the program or makes referrals for additional training.

Community Assistance Team (CAT)

The community assistance team was developed in 2018 in response to a growing need to provide additional resources to more vulnerable residents. The program receives referrals from patrol staff in the course of responding to calls for service. When a resident of Blaine is found to have mental health or medical concerns that generate repeat calls for service, an assessment is conducted to determine if the resident would benefit from having county resources directed toward them. These resources may include mental health, financial, or housing specialists.

The dedicated team of four Blaine police officers work tirelessly to assist the vulnerable population and have had numerous successes providing compassionate care for those who need it most.

The department certified two new canine handlers and three dogs in 2022, thanks to many generous donations from citizens and supporters of the department’s canine program and the help of the Blaine Public Safety Association. Officer Kelly Jahnke along with her K9 partner Cuda attended a rigorous USPCA Certified Police Canine training course alongside veteran canine handler Officer Reggie Larson with his new K9 partner Hector. Both Cuda and Hector were put into service in late June and have proven to be very effective.

Officer Alex Moore was selected to become Blaine’s third canine handler and began his education in September along with his new partner, Andy. They successfully completed training and certification at the end of November.

K9 Training

As any canine handler can attest, the nearly constant training that goes into having a successful career as a handler/canine team is a lot of work. The three handler teams completed over 2,800 hours of training (including their initial certification process.) They also put in 1,140 hours of off-duty training, getting the canines acclimated to their new homes, surroundings, and expectations. They also provided 16 demonstrations to the public, which included 603 adults and 827 juveniles.

Notable Accomplishments:

 9 pounds 11 ounces of methamphetamines taken off the streets in Blaine

 $5,900 in cash seized

 Two firearms located

 Three K9s certified in NPCA Narcotic Detection

 Three K9s certified in NPCA Patrol

 Three K9s graduated from K9 Basic Handler Course

 Hosted two monthly trainings with over 40 K9 teams in attendance

K9 Team Statistics:

The K9 team working together had 177 total deployments, 59 arrests, and a tracking rate of 58 percent.

59 Arrests 177 Deployments

58% TrackingRate

Retail Unit

The retail unit is primarily responsible for providing enhanced patrol in the greater Northtown commercial district as well as serving as liaisons for retailers citywide. The dedicated officers of this unit work to build relationships with retailers and visitors to Northtown Mall as well as adjacent businesses. They conduct multi-discipline saturation events aimed at identifying repeat offenders and deterring theft crimes.

A significant emphasis was placed on proactively patrolling the greater Northtown retail patrol district that includes Northtown Mall and surrounding businesses which generated over 3,300 calls for service in 2022. There were 329 calls involving theft, 940 traffic stops conducted, and 394 citations issued.

Officer Moore with K9 Andy, Officer Jahnke with K9 Cuda, and Officer Larson with K9 Hector

Traffic Enforcement Unit

An important component of any police agency’s public safety plan is the enforcement of traffic laws. The department’s dedicated traffic enforcement unit was comprised of Officer Trent Bachman and Officer Travis Hale until his promotion to sergeant in August.

Traffic enforcement officers in the City of Blaine have many roles besides stopping violators and issuing citations. They are also tasked with assisting the engineering department with collecting data and proposing solutions to traffic complaints and roadway design issues to our Traffic Commission. The traffic enforcement unit has several tools at its disposal to aid in the collection of data including both discreet data collection devices and driver feedback signs that are deployed to change driver behavior. The traffic enforcement unit responds to driving complaints and uses an analytical approach to problem solving, often collecting data to determine the validity of the concern before deploying additional resources. They continue to strive to have the most efficient and effective traffic enforcement unit possible.

Illegal street racing and exhibition driving have become a significant problem nationwide and Blaine was not immune to the effects of this dangerous and disturbing behavior. Takeovers of intersections, damaged private property, and other illegal activities associated with these large gatherings had been difficult to deter and bold action was needed from a supportive City Council. In August, the Blaine City Council passed an ordinance banning illegal street racing and spectating at exhibitionist driving events making it the first City in Minnesota to pass such bold legislation. The traffic unit played a significant role in bringing this serious concern forward and seeking a powerful remedy.

Traffic Safety Week is a weeklong event hosted by the traffic unit that brings several components together to reinforce safe driving practices. Pre-event publicity, roadway signs, a booth at the Blaine Festival with crash and impaired driving simulators, and a larger than usual presence of officers on the street enforcing distracted driving and other common violations, all play a role in this great event.

The 2022 saturation event took place June 20 through 24, with officers focused on Hwy 65 between 109th Avenue and Highway 10, and 85th Avenue and University.

Key Traffic Statistics:

 283 Traffic Stops

 159 Citations Issued

 219 Warnings Issued

 5 Arrests

DWI Enforcement Officer

Officer Jake Green was the department’s dedicated DWI enforcement officer in 2022. He removed 37 impaired drivers from the roadways in Blaine through enforcement of the DWI laws. A portion of the funding for the dedicated position was generously provided by the State of Minnesota, Office of Traffic Safety DWI Enforcement Grant.

Traffic Unit and Dedicated DWI Enforcement Officer Combined Statistics:

 22 covert speed surveys

 27 speed trailer deployments

 1,870 traffic stops

 1,132 citations issued

 1,862 warned violations

Mobile Field Force (MFF)

Continued investment and emphasis was placed on the department’s need to staff, equip, and train a professional and competent mobile field force following the civil unrest experienced throughout the greater metro area in 2020. Sergeant Brad Nordby, along with Detectives Josh Sundgaard, Brandon Fettig, and Mike Sommer planned and hosted four training events throughout 2022. In addition, the training team also planned and hosted a large-scale Anoka County Law Enforcement crowd control training aimed at coordinating with other partner agencies in the area. In total, approximately 120 officers from eight law enforcement agencies participated in these various POST approved trainings.

Every sworn member of the Blaine Police Department has attended basic crowd control training and will receive continued training annually.

The more specialized mobile field force team (strike team), consists of 35 members and two commanders. Both teams are designed with a focus on protecting people and property while respecting individuals’ constitutional rights. All training is geared towards this mission. Members of the strike team underwent additional biannual training in advanced crowd control tactics and crowd dispersion techniques.

Three members of the Blaine Police Department mobile field force team attended and completed the Houston Police Department Special Response Group crowd management training. This training involved an immersive, week long partnership with members of the Houston Police Department where they learned crowd control techniques from a world leader in crowd management.

Bike Patrol

Officers logged 164 hours on the bikes this year between community outreach demonstrations, directed patrol in the retail and business districts, Lakes Beach patrol, 3M Open tournament, and residential patrol.

The department added two electric bikes to the bicycle fleet in 2022, providing additional mobility and versatility in the areas that the officers are able to patrol.

Reserves Unit

The police reserves unit is comprised of volunteers who donate their time to supplement the patrol division with uniformed patrols of the City and assisting with traffic direction and crowd control at larger City events. Some of the members are simply community members looking to be part of something significant in their community. Others join in order to explore the police profession to find out if it is a good fit for their career endeavors.

The reserves receive in-service training including use of force, report writing, patrol tactics, and attend monthly meetings. They are often asked to assist with non-emergency calls for service such as vehicle lockouts, motorist assists, and animal control calls.

Explorers Post

The Blaine Police Department established the Police Explorer Post in 1991, with current Blaine Police Department member Deputy Chief Pelkey being one of the inaugural members.

The mission of the police explorer post is to provide youth ages 14-21 with an opportunity to learn about law enforcement through training, volunteering, and hands on experience. This is accomplished by attendance at weekly meetings from September to April, volunteering at numerous community events, and riding along with officers to see law enforcement at work. The dedicated explorer advisors provide training to ensure success in a future law enforcement career if they so choose. They teach life skills, such as teamwork, leadership, conflict management, and decisive thinking which are transferable to any career.

The program has 14 active explorers who are both high school and college students. The program is managed by Lead Post Advisor Sergeant Hale and Associate Advisors including Officers

Klimisch, Ahlers, Ciupik, Brownell, Arnsdorf, Greene, CSO Blilie, Detective Stefczak, and Sergeants Nordby and Villegas, who assist with training, planning events, and recruiting.

They attended the Minnesota Law Enforcement Explorer Association Annual Conference in Rochester April 21-24. The conference put the explorers to the test in 13 competitive scenarios where they are challenged to perform at a very high level. The event also included a marksmanship competition. Once again, the explorers represented Blaine well, earning three 1st place and two 3rd place awards in both team and individual competitions.

Every year an election is held for State Youth Representative. This position acts as a liaison between the exploring association board and all explorers in the state of Minnesota. Blaine Explorer Sergeant Vincent Oleson was elected to this position after delivering an impressive speech in front of nearly 600 conference attendees. This is the first time a Blaine Explorer has been elected as State Youth Representative.

The explorers also helped with major City events such as the 3M Open, the Blaine Fireworks show and parade, and many other events in Blaine and surrounding communities. At these events, the explorers play an integral part in event operations and work extremely hard to ensure events are both successful and safe. The explorers volunteered a total of 1,549 hours at community events and logged a collective 1,076 hours of training time!

Vincent Oleson

Special Operations

Captain Russ Clark took over the special operations division in early 2022. He is responsible for overseeing investigations, directed operations, administrative investigations, and the drug task force unit.

Captain Clark has been with the department for more than 20 years.

Investigations

The investigations unit is led by Sergeant Wes Villegas. He oversees 11 detectives and one crime analyst. The unit investigates violent crimes, property crimes, financial crimes, and crimes against children and vulnerable adults. Detectives also work collaboratively with local, State, and Federal law enforcement partners.

All general detectives are trained through Corner House which teaches child forensic interviewing for child abuse and criminal sexual conduct cases. Detectives also conducted training for search warrants and entries.

The department purchased a new VARDA alarm which is a voice-activated radio-dispatched alarm. This portable device, when activated, will broadcast a message to dispatch allowing officers to immediately respond to the scene for further investigation. This special monitoring is used at locations of recent or repeat burglaries. The department also purchased and implemented CATGuards to deter catalytic converter thefts with approximately 45 distributed to the public.

Crime Analyst Rebecca Florhaug assists detectives with suspect identification, cell phone forensics, crime pattern analysis, and crime mapping. Florhaug also gathers and analyzes statistics to facilitate growth and improvement of various units within the department. She completed the forensic analysis of over 20 mobile devices in 2022.

The division investigated a total of 1,082 cases and of those, 584 were cleared by arrest and 237 were suspended. There were 592 permits to purchase backgrounds conducted and 27 employment backgrounds completed.

Notable cases from the year:

 Detective Johann worked cooperatively with State and Federal law enforcement agencies investigating catalytic converter thefts nationwide. The group conducted search warrants across several states which led to multiple forfeitures.

 Detective Johnson investigated multiple burglaries in the TPC/Lakes area. He identified a suspect almost immediately after working with other law enforcement agencies. DNA evidence was processed and confirmed the suspect.

 Detective Christensen investigated an armed carjacking/2nd degree assault of a father/ daughter. The suspect fired a round and took the vehicle. All detectives and the crime analyst worked to identify the suspect. A search warrant was executed where evidence was recovered. The vehicle was returned to the owner and the suspect was taken into custody. The case was eventually referred to the FBI as it was discovered the suspect was involved in many different incidents around the metro.

 Retail Detective Estby investigated a burglary/ fleeing where the suspect broke into several businesses in Blaine. During the investigation it was learned that the suspect was involved in other burglaries around the county/metro area. He was eventually arrested. Due to the multi-jurisdictional crimes, the US attorney’s office charged out the cases.

1,082 Cases Investigated

584 Cleared by Arrest

237 Suspended

Directed Operations Group (DOG)

The directed operations group (DOG) has two officers and one detective assigned to the unit. They were kept extremely busy throughout the year working closely with investigations, patrol, and the drug task force. They also assist with background investigations, criminal complaints, and predatory offender compliance.

The unit completed the following compliance checks in 2022:

 112 alcohol compliance checks

 57 tobacco compliance checks

 9 massage compliance checks

 144 predatory offender registered (POR) checks

 2 disorderly house declarations

They also completed 14 total background investigations for alcohol, tobacco, and massage license requests.

Anoka-Hennepin Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force

The Blaine Police Department is in partnership with the Anoka Hennepin Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force (AHNVCTF.) The special operations division has two detectives assigned to the task force for a three-year term. During the summer months a school resource officer is also assigned to assist the team.

The task force detectives investigate large scale narcotics trafficking and sales in Blaine and the surrounding cities. They also assist with fugitive apprehensions by working with local, State and Federal law enforcement agencies.

The task force purchased a K9 who is trained specifically in narcotics detection. The K9 is assigned to a Blaine detective.

Emergency Management

Captain Mark Boerboom is the City’s emergency management director. He is responsible for coordinating the emergency preparedness for both the police department and the City of Blaine. As part of those duties and responsibilities, the emergency management division seeks to prepare the community for coordinated and planned special events as well as disasters and emergencies.

Public Information Officer (PIO)

Captain Boerboom is the department’s public information officer and is responsible for organizing data and facts, generating and distributing press releases, and managing

Accomplishments from the year include:

 Completed upgrades to the mobile command vehicle.

 Activated the emergency management team on May 7, 2022, to coordinate the response to wildfires in the sanctuary area behind city hall. In the end, 80 acres of land were burned, however, no structures were damaged and no one was injured.

 Continued to make updates to the Blaine Continuity of Operation Plan (COOP). A COOP plan describes an organization's essential functions, associated personnel and resources, and processes for protecting and maintaining those functions, personnel, and resources during an emergency.

 Planned and successfully executed the safety plan for the 3M Open PGA tournament. Blaine staff provided security for the Good Year blimp during the tournament. Officers enjoyed a photo op in front of the blimp (pictured below.)

Building Renovation

The City of Blaine went through an extensive renovation in 2021, driven by the growth in the police department and the need for more space. Due to several setbacks and delays, the project was extended and completed in 2022.

Captain Boerboom took on the project management responsibilities for the police department. He attended weekly meetings with the architect, contractor, and construction staff. He monitored the daily construction to ensure it was completed correctly, and addressed any problems or issues that would arise. Several adjustments and changes were made to the construction plans which resulted in a significant cost savings for the City. He also worked to keep disruptions to normal police operations to a minimum.

The department had several significant changes made during the renovation, including an expansion to the second floor.

The first floor received an expanded lobby enclosed with glass walls, a new patrol roll call room with a glass wall, coffee bar with a high top counter, new evidence area, expanded men's and women’s locker rooms, additional interview rooms, new bathrooms, new duty lockers, and upgraded flooring throughout.

The second floor expansion included adding additional offices and a case management room for the investigations unit which moved upstairs from the first floor. The administration staff also moved to the second floor. An open stairwell was added to join the two floors together to help keep staff working together as one cohesive department.

Life Saving Award

Selected by the awards committee, this is awarded to a member of the department who distinguishes themselves for an act of achievement that is beyond the normal performance required of that member; or which has a significant impact to the department or community; or which reflects great credit upon the department and the law enforcement profession as a whole.

Officer Savana West received the Live Saving Award for successfully performing CPR life saving efforts on an 8-month old child who was not breathing.

Department Commendation Award

Selected by the awards committee, this is awarded to a member of the department who distinguishes themselves for an act of achievement that is beyond the normal performance required of that member; or which has a significant impact to the department or community; or which reflects great credit upon the department and the law enforcement profession as a whole.

Officer West

Sergeant Johnson Sergeant Nordby Officer Augustin Officer Brownell Officer Klimisch

Officer Moore Officer Noll Officer Strandberg Officer Vollman Officer Wagner

Sergeant Z. Johnson Sergeant Hale

Deputy Chief Pelkey Captain Gerhard

Staff Roster

Administration

Brian Podany, Police Chief

Dan Pelkey, Deputy Chief

Cara Rand, Executive Assistant

Captains

Mark Boerboom, Emergency Mgmt

Matt Carlson, Patrol

Russ Clark, Special Operations

Joe Gerhard, Administrative Services

Sergeants

Ted Berg, Patrol

Travis Hale, Patrol

Nate Hatanpa, Patrol

Ben H. Johnson Patrol

Zach Johnson Patrol

Barry Koch, Patrol

Brad Nordby, Patrol

Mike Rygg, Administrative Services

Joe Sadler, Patrol

Wes Villegas, Special Operations

Investigations

Orin Christensen

Paul Estby (retail)

Brandon Fettig

Rebecca Florhaug (Crime Analyst)

Karen Hamann

Tom Johann

Ben J. Johnson

Laura Rolfes (provisional)

James Ross (provisional)

Mike Sommer (provisional DOG)

Dan Stefczak (provisional)

Josh Sundgaard

Jeff Warner, Patrol

Support Services

Brooke Jacobson, Manager

Jean Andersen

Jen Bedell

Andrea Jordan

Kelly Karas

Patrol Officers

Carly Ahlers

Mark Allen, SRO

Alex Arnsdorf

Kyle Augustin

Trent Bachman, Traffic

Dale Bernardy

Grant Breems

Thomas “TJ” Brownell

Frank Caruso

Cassandra Ciupik

Jacob Cree

Gordon Fiske

Jake Green, Traffic/DWI

Kurt Greene

Rachel Hancock*

Kelly Jahnke, K9

Jaden Johnson

Samantha Klimisch

Haley Larson, SRO

Logan Larson*

Reggie Larson, K9

Caleb Link

Joe Matzke

Omar Molinos

Alex Moore, K9

Pete Noll

Nathan Peterson

Travis Peterson

Don Plowman

Justin Pohlman

Zachary Prokosch

Joe Ramaley*

Joe Ramirez

Matt Schlenker, DOG

Justin Schweigert

Cory Schmidt

Mike Slavik*

Trent Strandberg, DOG

Nick Traffie

Tou Vang, SRO

Mike Vollman, Retail

Jackie Wagner, SRO

Savana West

Brian Wiens

Valerie Zeman

Dan Zimmerman, Retail

Community Service Officers

Justin Adamski

Andrew Blilie*

Sam Fritz*

Diana Mokey*

Whitney Tennison*

Community Outreach

Emily Douglas*

Mental Health

Amanda Terwey*

Evidence

Brooke Jacobson, Supervisor

Melissa Christensen*

Kayla Skoglund*

Reserves

Andrew Benson

Timothy Cyson

Jesse Fluey

Mackenzie Foster

Justin Fournier

Cassandra Jordan

William Lehman

James Michael

*New in 2022

Staff photo’s taken October 4, 2022

Mayor

Tim Sanders

City Councilmembers

Wes Hovland

Tom Newland

Julie Jeppson

Jess Robertson

Chris Massoglia

Richard Paul

City Manager

Michelle Wolfe