2023 Eden Prairie Police Department Annual Report

EDEN PRAIRIE POLICE DEPARTMENT 2023 ANNUAL REPORT

April 2024

Chief’s Report Dear Mayor Case and City Council Members:

I am pleased to submit the 2023 Eden Prairie Police Department Annual Report to you and the residents of Eden Prairie. This report contains a summary of events and operations the Police Department undertook in 2023.

Throughout the year we celebrated our 50th anniversary, using a special 50th anniversary logo in a variety of ways, including on our squad cars. There was also a 50th -anniversary booth at the Citywide Open House staffed by one of the department’s original officers, along with other EPPD alumni.

A new recruiting team charged with addressing the challenges of hiring police officers implemented a number of creative strategies and commissioned a new recruitment video. Three new officers, one dispatcher and one support services representative were hired in 2023.

We responded to 45,765 calls for service, which was an increase from 42,363 in 2022. A full list of statistics can be found on the last page of this report.

On behalf of the nearly 150 staff and volunteer members of the Police Department, I thank you for your continued support and look forward to serving you in the coming year.

Chief Matt Sackett

Chief Matt Sackett

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Eden Prairie Police Department is to Department Values protect and serve

 Provide customized the community of service to the community Eden Prairie through active

 Exercise discretion and and professional fairness in enforcement engagement.

 Build public trust in the Department

 Promote the professional development of its members

2023 Eden Prairie Police Department

Organizational Chart

City Manager

Rick Getschow Police Chief

Matt Sackett Captain

Chris Wood

Patrol Operations

Lt. Jess Irmiter

Airport Unit

K 9

Crime Technicians

Field Training Unit

Patrol Response Reserve Unit

Retail Crime Unit

Special Weapons And Tactics Unit (SWAT)

Traffic Enforcement

Unmanned Aerial Systems

Investigative Operations

Lt. Rob Johnston Chaplains

Community Liaison

Criminal Investigations

Domestic Abuse Response Team

Explorer Unit

Law Enforcement Analyst

Mental Health Unit

School Liaisons

Special Investigations

Support Operations

Lt. Jen Ficcadenti

Animal Control

Background Investigations

Code Enforcement

CSOs/Cadets

Emergency Communications Center

Hiring/Recruitment

Licensing

Professional Development

Records

City Council Members

Command Staff

Lt. Jess Irmiter, Lt. Jen Ficcadenti, Chief Matt Sackett, Captain Chris Wood, Lt. Rob Johnston

Lisa Toomey, Mark Freiberg, Ron Case, PG Narayanan, Kathy Nelson Command Staff & City Council

NEW HIRES

In 2023 the EPPD hired three new officers: Hank Komrosky, Max Shoger and Bailey Reichert.

Officer Hank Komrosky started in Eden Prairie

June 20, 2023.

Officer Max Shoger started in Eden Prairie

June 20, 2023.

Officer Bailey Reichert started in Eden Prairie

July 31, 2023.

The EPPD also welcomed five

Reserve

In July, Kelsey Hoffman began working for the EPPD as a dispatcher.

in April.

new

Officers: Deepak Chinta, Justin Kazmark, Robert Lawton, AK Ravikumar and

Photo: Reserve Supervisor Boyd Hesdorffer, Captain Chris Wood, Reserve Officer Deepak Chinta, Sgt. Cory Sinon, Reserve Officer Robert Lawton, Reserve Officer Justin Kazmark, Officer Emma Wax.

Linda Schlampp began working for the EPPD as a support services representative

Leslie Perez was promoted Evan Hynek was promoted to sergeant June 17, 2023. to sergeant Oct. 7, 2023.

Reserve Officers Sandee Williams, Rossana Motta, Cole Pixley, Michael Heiser and Michael Korus were

promoted in 2023.

DEPARTURES

Investigative Aide Pauline

Sager retired in February after 44 years of service.

Pauline was hired as a Community Service Officer (CSO) and also served as CSO Supervisor, Crime Scene Technician, member of the Speakers Bureau and an EMT. Pauline’s specialty was financial fraud crimes and during her tenure she helped solve hundreds of cases.

Det. Erica Coy left the EPPD in February after 20 years of service.

Officer Steve Velner retired in July after serving for 21 years.

Sgt. Jerrad Biggar retired in June after 22 years of service.

Sgt. Eric LeBlanc retired in October after 28 years of service.

Dispatcher Beth Duchschere retired in December after serving Eden Prairie for 32 years.

PATROL DIVISION

Lt. Jess Irmiter led the Patrol Division which includes eight sergeants and 38 officers.

There are eight Patrol Units as well as the secondary Airport, K 9, Crime Tech, Field Training, Reserve, Retail Crime, Traffic, SWAT and Unmanned Aerial Systems units.

In March, the parents of a 10-month-old called for help suspecting he may have ingested fentanyl. Upon arrival, officers found the baby unresponsive. They inserted an oral airway and administered Narcan, in addition to using an AED and rescue breathing. After seven minutes officers felt a pulse and the baby started to cry. Later, the doctor at the hospital who treated the baby commended the officers for saving the baby’s life. The parents were charged with child endangerment.

In April, Officer Todd Groves received a challenge coin from the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety for his arrest of two teenagers who were racing each other down Pioneer Trail at nearly 100 MPH. Both teens were cited for speeding and careless driving.

In June the EPPD added a second Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE) to the department. Officer Josh Mulvaney attended a nine-day training hosted by the Minnesota State Patrol that focused on detecting and removing drug-impaired drivers from the road. Officer Mulvaney joins Officer Chad Streiff as Eden Prairie’s second DRE. In 2023, Officers Streiff and Mulvaney conducted 10 DRE evaluations.

Officer Josh Mulvaney Patrol Division

PATROL DIVISION

For a fourth full year, Officer Chad Streiff served as a fulltime DWI officer thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. In 2023, Officer Streiff made 156 DWI arrests, with four Hat Tricks (three arrests in one shift) and one Grand Slam (four arrests in one shift). Officer Streiff also received the MADD Gold Pin Award and was named to the Minnesota DWI Enforcer All-Star Team for the high number of arrests he made in 2022. Eden Prairie City Prosecutor Tory Sailer received the Minnesota Prosecutor of the Year Award from MADD for his dedication to keeping impaired drivers off the roads.

Officer Chad Streiff and City Prosecutor Tory Sailer receiving MADD Awards.

EPPD officers made 281 DWI arrests in 2023, up slightly from 272 arrests in 2022.

INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION

Lt. Rob Johnston served as the Investigations Division lieutenant in 2023. The division includes two sergeants, 13 officers and one civilian employee. The units comprising the division include Criminal Investigations, Domestic Abuse Response Team, Explorers, Law Enforcement Analyst, Juvenile Liaisons, Community Liaison, Chaplains and Special Investigations.

In 2021 the EPPD began working with Hennepin County to embed a fulltime social worker in the department. Molly Mitley started in January 2022 and since then has been working with EPPD staff on calls where someone is in mental crisis. Funding for the position is shared by Hennepin County and the City of Eden Prairie. Since she started in 2022, Molly has opened 962 intakes. Molly Mitley with Officer Juliette Glynn at the Citywide Open House

There was one homicide in Eden Prairie this year, involving a 7-year-old boy who was found dead in his home on Sept. 12. His 27-year-old brother was charged with second-degree murder. The case has not yet gone to trial.

In 2023, Eden Prairie investigators collaborated with law enforcement personnel from Bloomington, Richfield, Minnetonka, Plymouth and Maple Grove as part of the 494 Corridor Group, with the goal to investigate crimes related to human trafficking along I-494 and to recover human trafficking victims. The group made 49 sex -buyer arrests during sting operations last year.

INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION

In June, 120 campers and their counselors took over Riley Lake Park for the City’s annual Safety Camp. The counselors, who are members of the Police, Fire, and Parks and Recreation departments, helped their campers rotate through various safety activities including animal safety with Officer Brandon Carlston and his K-9 partner Jax.

In April, the EPPD worked with the National Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to host a Drug Take Back event at the Eden Prairie Senior Center. People were able to drop off unused or expired medication for free and the EPPD safely disposed of it. At the event 324 pounds worth of unused medication was collected.

SUPPORT DIVISION

Lt. Jen Ficcadenti led the Support Division which includes the Records, Emergency Communications Center, Professional Development, Support Operations, Community Service, Animal Control, Licensing and Code Enforcement units.

In 2023, Eden Prairie’s 13 Public Safety Telecommunicators answered 45,765 calls for service, ranging from death investigations (62) to medicals (3,690) to identity theft (138).

In 2023, the department responded to 1,298 animal control calls, including a call for ducklings stuck in a sewer grate who were safely reunited with their mother.

In August, the EPPD celebrated Night to Unite with 152 neighborhoods who hosted parties and donated 9,656 pounds of food to PROP.

SUPPORT DIVISION

The Records Unit managed 17,218 records in 2023. In addition, the Evidence section of the unit processed 4,734 new pieces of evidence and disposed of 5,670 pieces of evidence.

In January, the department provided cultural competency training for all personnel conducted by the non-profit Islamic Resource Group. The training covered definitions, demographics, basic beliefs and practices, and tips for interacting with the Muslim community.

In 2023, the EPPD created a recruitment team to help develop new strategies for the recruitment of law enforcement personnel. They attended job fairs, streamlined the interview process and commissioned a new recruitment video.

Last year the EPPD created a Wellness Team to help employees reach their health and fitness goals by providing customized advice and training, thereby creating a healthy workforce.

RESERVES

EPPD Reserve Officers are adult volunteers who assist sworn officers by performing community service tasks and non criminal police functions. Reserve Officers also assist in natural disasters and other emergencies that require additional personnel. In 2023, the Reserves volunteered 2,950 hours of service.

In 2005, the Reserves formed a Color Guard Unit that ensures all City flags are raised, lowered and displayed in accordance with proper flag etiquette and protocols at 10 locations on City property. In 2023, the Color Guard was activated 21 times.

In May, the EPPD Reserve Officers conducted a traffic safety school in conjunction with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office for 40 volunteer Reserves from 13 metro agencies.

The Reserves helped with the Toys for Tots delivery processional to the KARE11 studios in December.

EXPLORERS & CHAPLAINS

Police Explorers are young people ages 14–21 who are interested in law enforcement. Explorers gain working knowledge through hands-on experience, including weekly meetings and training sessions.

At their national conference in July, the Explorers earned 1st place in Use of Force Options and 3rd place in Unknown Trouble. They were the only Minnesota Explorer post at the conference to place.

The EPPD’s volunteer chaplains provide emotional and spiritual care to community members and public safety responders. Chaplains take turns being on-call for the department. In 2023, chaplains were called out 22 times.

Chaplains Ryan Tarman, John Brecount, Peter Johnson, Bruce Goodwin, Jim Erickson and Michael Crawford.

AWARDS

Sgt. Ron Henke received the Chaplain Tim Power Award, named in honor of the late Father Tim Power who served as a Police and Fire Department Chaplain for 24 years before his death in 2016. The award recognizes an employee who provides consistent care for people in the department and community, and is awarded by the Chaplain Unit.

Det. John Andrews received the Officer of the Year Award for his work as the lead investigator on several high-profile financial crime cases.

Juvenile Diversion Coordinator Randy Thompson received the Civilian Employee of the Year Award for his commitment to the department ’ s Juvenile Diversion Program which he has managed since 2006.

Officer Dan Chanski received a City Manager’s Quality Award for his efforts and resourcefulness in recruiting new officers.

Dispatcher Katie Sjolander received the Excellence in Support Award from the Minnesota Association of Women Police for her ability to creatively problem-solve.

AWARDS

In May, Community Center employees Alisa Hoang, Marie Goergen, Jill Bickler, Doug Tucker and Nate Storey, along with patron Matt Johnson, each received a Letter of Recognition for coming to the aid of patron Peter Graff who experienced a cardiac event while on a stationary bike in the Fitness Center. They used an AED until officers and firefighters arrived. After several additional shocks from the AED, Mr. Graff regained breathing.

In August Eden Prairie resident Molly Menton received a Letter of Recognition from Chief Sackett and Fire Chief Scott Gerber for saving the life of Duane Hookom who experienced a cardiac event while driving in the Nesbitt Preserve Park parking lot in June. Molly ran to the vehicle as it was rolling slowly toward a crowd of people. She opened the car door, laid on the passenger seat and used her hand to activate the brake. Officers and firefighters used an AED until Duane was able to breathe on his own.

COMMUNITY

OUTREACH

At the March 2023

Polar Plunge at Riley

Lake, 645 plungers raised $200,624 for Special Olympics

Minnesota.

In August, Chief Sackett performed an honorary swearing-in for DJ Daniels, an 11-year-old Texas boy with terminal cancer whose mission is to become an honorary police officer in as many police departments as possible. DJ and his family spent three days in Minnesota as part of the event.

In August, the EPPD teamed up with the non-profit organization Let’s Go Fishing to host Cops and Bobbers. They took two boats full of Eden Prairie kids fishing on Riley Lake.

COMMUNITY

OUTREACH

In October officers attended the Harvest to Halloween event at Riley Lake Park.

At the Citywide Open House in October, visitors dusted for fingerprints, watched K-9 demos and the SWAT team robots in action, and drove a pedal cart to simulate

impaired driving, among other activities.

In December officers and firefighters partnered with children for Holidays with Heroes, which included an afternoon of shopping at Eden Prairie Center. The same generous benefactor has funded the event all nine years through the Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund.

In 2023 the department hosted four Coffee with a Cop events, one each at Scheels, Edenvale Park, Nesbitt Park and Target. They were such a success that we have many COMMUNITY more scheduled for 2024!

OUTREACH

2022-2023 EPPD Statistics