A REPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY
2021
LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT
FROM CHIEF LAYMAN... Happy New Year! I hope you and your family enjoyed a safe and happy holiday season. As I reflect on this past year, there are accomplishments to be proud of and reasons to be optimistic about what’s ahead for our department. The year saw a cautious return to pre-pandemic operations, including our varied community engagement opportunities such as the Citizens Police Academy, Understanding Police Use of Force Workshops, and children’s events at the Lenexa Farmers Markets and local parks. In July, the Lenexa City Council approved the construction of a new Lenexa Justice Center. This project represents an exciting time for our police department and our community. As the City has grown in the last 40 years since our existing building was constructed, so too has our police department. We strive to provide exceptional police service to this community, and in doing so must stay current with staffing needs, technology resources, equipment, and most importantly, professional training for our personnel. I believe the Lenexa Justice Center will allow us to continue operating as one of the most professional police departments in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Additionally, the Lenexa Justice Center will not simply be the police headquarters. It will also be a place for the community to gather for special events, learn about our department, and get to know our team. The new location of the Lenexa Justice Center will provide a more convenient and centralized location for those seeking any number of the services we provide out of our station. One of our most exciting additions in 2021 was Lexi Blue, our department’s first comfort dog. In the eight months we’ve had Lexi, a 10-month-old Goldendoodle, she has already made a positive impact around the police station and the community. One of the more touching ways that Lexi provided comfort this past year was in August, after the passing of a St. James High School student. At the school’s request, Lexi spent several days there providing comfort to grieving students. In November, we swore in five new police officers, and just last month, we added six more. These officers include a combination of lateral transfer officers from other police agencies who bring experience, and new officers who will attend the police academy. I am proud that the reputation of our department and the tremendous support from our community and elected officials continue to attract professional candidates who wish to join our department. I hope you will find this annual report helpful in understanding some of the crime and safety related activities in our community over the course of 2021. Know that the dedicated members of our police department will always strive to keep Lenexa a safe place for all people to live, work, and visit. Thank you for your continued support. Dawn M. Layman dlayman@lenexa.com (913) 477-7200
LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT | 2
2021
BY THE NUMBERS
Including information on the previous four years.
39,108
CALLS FOR SERVICE
17,218
OFFICER-INITIATED ACTIVITIES
5.5
min AVERAGE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIME IN MINUTES
8.6
min AVERAGE NONEMERGENCY RESPONSE TIME IN MINUTES
2,592 ARRESTS
4,308
CHARGES FILED
2017
2018
2019
2020
Total Calls for Service
42,366
41,441
49,551
36,421
Officer Initiated Activity
19,889
18,656
26,845
15,709
5.0
5.3
5.2
5.6
7.8
8.0
8.1
8.0
Arrests
3,266
3,191
3,277
2,231
Charges Filed
4,960
4,809
5,256
3,640
Average Emergency Response Time Average Non-Emergency Response Time
LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT | 3
SPOTLIGHT:
Our department places a tremendous value on the mental health needs of those with whom we interact. Our Mental Health Co-Responder Program and our Crisis Intervention Team Program are two ways we bring a compassionate approach when dealing with those individuals in mental health crisis. Here is what one Lenexa resident had to say about her experience with our mental health response. Having an adult son with severe mental illness wasn’t on our radar and his diagnosis has forever changed our lives. The illness, a brain disease, causes extreme mood changes such as mania and depression, unpredictable behavior, agitation, distorted perception, cognitive decline, societal vulnerability, delusions, psychosis, seclusion and much more. Many individuals with this disease are feared by others but actually are themselves vulnerable for victimization. During one particular mental health crisis in 2020, our son was showing signs of mania and distorted thinking, and became combative. He began opening the door on the highway threatening to jump out of the car, yelling out the window to other motorists, and was completely out of control. Fearing for his safety, we called the Lenexa Police Department and knew to ask for a CIT Officer. My
husband pulled over at the bottom of an exit ramp where our son began walking. Lenexa officers arrived in a few minutes and contacted our son on the shoulder of the highway. The officers used effective de-escalation skills to calm him from his manic state and were able to safely get him to a hospital for evaluation. When faced with these traumatic events, it is imperative that we can count on our police officers to have crisis intervention training and the support of our Community Mental Health professionals. With better funding, community education about available programs, less stigma attached to those with mental health challenges, and continued CIT training, people like my son can get the treatment and support they need and deserve. – Lenexa resident
MENTAL HEALTH
What is CIT? Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is designed to improve the outcomes of interactions between law enforcement and individuals living with mental illness. CIT is part of our community’s crisis response system. Officers learn de-escalation techniques that focus on communication and decision-making. The goal is connecting people in crisis with the resources they need, not incarceration or an interaction that could result in tragedy. JOHNSON COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER 24-HOUR CRISIS LINE (913) 268-0156
1,000 AVERAGE NUMBER OF MENTAL HEALTH RELATED CALLS PER YEAR
LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT | 4
TRAFFIC SAFETY ROUNDABOUTS Roundabouts are a way to keep traffic flowing smoothly and quickly. They offer an alternative to traffic lights which can interrupt the flow of traffic. While some see roundabouts as a nuisance to navigate, we typically see very few crashes or traffic incidents involving them. Lenexa has 25 roundabouts on arterial streets in the city. In 2021, we had 18 reports of crashes in roundabouts. This accounts for less than 2% of all crashes reported in Lenexa for the year.
7,249
TRAFFIC CITATIONS
1,036
When approaching a roundabout, slow your speed and look for vehicles coming from your left inside the roundabout. If there are other vehicles in your path, or approaching from your left, yield until it is clear for you to enter the circle. If there are no vehicles in your path, you can enter without stopping. Follow the signs and lane markings in and around the circle.
TRAFFIC CRASHES
LENEXA CITATIONS: TOP 3 MOVING VIOLATIONS SPEED LIMIT
35
SPEEDING
TRAFFIC LIGHT VIOLATIONS
TURNING VIOLATIONS
A GLIMPSE INTO... Our Communications Unit is comprised of seventeen highly skilled Police Dispatchers who are dedicated to public safety, criminal apprehension and customer service. They are the primary 9-1-1 public safety answering point (PSAP) for the City of Lenexa, receiving calls from the public and dispatching officers where assistance is requested. They also assist police officers with information gathering using multiple databases and technology systems.
AWARD-WINNING On November 12th, three Lenexa Dispatchers received Awards for Valor from the Metropolitan Chiefs & Sheriff’s Assocation. Their exemplary efforts during a critical incident helped officers respond to and assess a rapidly evolving situation. Lenexa’s Dispatchers are crucial to the safety of our officers and community and we are so grateful for all they do!
DISPATCH
LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT | 6
COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD
In December 2021, the Lenexa City Council passed an ordinance formalizing the Lenexa Police Department’s Community Advisory Board (CAB). The purpose of this board is to serve as a liaison between the department and the community. The CAB was created in the early 2000s under retired Chief of Police Ellen Hanson and has been functioning in an informal capacity since then. Chief Dawn Layman believes formalizing the board will increase transparency and public trust, as well as bring more recognition to the board and expand interest in candidates willing to serve on it.
“The CAB is a great vehicle to educate the public and can help build trust and respect within the law enforcement community.” - Jeff Boone, CAB member The CAB will advise the police department on a variety of matters such as, biased-based policing, use of force, mental health response and community outreach. The current members on the board will be grandfathered in and will serve three-year, staggered terms beginning this February. One additional board position, appointed by the mayor, will be added this year. More information about the CAB and the application process can be found at Lenexa.com/PoliceBoard.
PROGRAMS & SERVICES CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSPECTIONS We’ll inspect your child safety car seat for proper installation and assist with any necessary adjustments.
ONLINE TRANSACTION SAFE PLACE When meeting a stranger to conduct an online sale transaction, such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, do so in a safe, public space. The front parking lot of our police station, as well as our lobby, are available to conduct such transactions.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES The Lenexa Police Department offers a variety of training topics including: Active Shooter Response, Understanding Police Use of Force, and Digital & Online Safety for Parents. These topics can be provided on-demand or may be hosted throughout the year. To learn more about our programs & services, please visit: Lenexa.com/PolicePrograms
LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT | 7
HOW WE LEVERAGE...
The field of law enforcement is no exception to the advances in technology seen across the spectrum in our culture. Here are some of the tools we are using to better serve our community.
AXON CITIZEN
UAV PROGRAM
Axon Citizen is a collection and management platform that allows photo and video evidence to be shared directly from a citizen’s phone or computer into our Digital Evidence Management System. Officers text or email a secure link to the citizen who can upload relevant files into the system.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, commonly referred to as “drones,” have been a valued tool in law enforcement for several years. Our department has benefited first hand from the help of our UAV Program. We have used drones to locate suspects who have fled from officers or crime scenes, search for lost and missing persons, and enter areas where armed and dangerous individuals are suspected of hiding. UAV’s allow us to make the best use of resources by covering areas that would ordinarily take numerous officers to cover, and by resolving potentially dangerous situations faster & safer.
*This does not give officers any access to the citizen’s device, but simply provides a secure way for the citizen to upload select files for an investigation.
Axon Citizen in Action This fall, a citizen captured video footage of two suspects breaking into his car which was parked in the driveway. This footage also provided good images of the suspect’s vehicle. Officers sent the citizen a secure link to upload the video footage directly into our Digital Evidence Management System while on scene. A detective was able to view this video and check street cameras for the suspect’s vehicle. In doing so, the detective was able to tie the same suspects to multiple car breakins in different Lenexa neighborhoods.
Drones in Action In one example from 2021, officers were dispatched to an incident in which a vehicle crashed and five occupants were seen immediately running away by witnesses. Officers began searching the area and located two of those individuals. Officers then used a drone to assist in the search for the other three people. With the use of the drone, officers spotted the three individuals loitering in a nearby apartment complex. Officers contacted those three, and found one was a wanted person with a felony warrant, and one was in possession of illegal narcotics and a firearm.
LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT | 8
FARO MAPPING
SIDEARM SIGNAL
Our Traffic Safety Unit is equipped with a FARO Focus 3D Laser Scanner which is used to take detailed measurements of serious motor vehicle crash scenes. The collection and cataloging of important data can assist in the investigation and reconstruction of crashes, including potential causes, environmental conditions, and other contributing factors that led to a serious crash. The equipment also uses infrared technology while it scans, which minimizes missed data such as faint skid marks or small pieces of debris that officers might not see due to low-light conditions. This precision equipment captures data to fully document scenes in a fraction of the time that older equipment did, minimizing disruption of traffic flow and road closures. In addition to a faster capture of data, the FARO can be set up and operated by a single officer, unlike older equipment that took 2-3 officers to operate. This combination of quicker data capture and single operator use can lead to savings by reducing the personnel hours spent investigating a crash and allowing patrol officers to get back in service to handle other calls more quickly.
Lenexa has consistently been at the forefront of camera technology, including being one of the first agencies in the Kansas City metro to have body-worn cameras for our officers in 2009. One of the most recent supplements to this technology is a sensor worn on the handgun holster which automatically activates the body-worn camera whenever the firearm is removed from the holster. All of our patrol officers’ holsters are equipped with this sensor which allows for even greater accountability of our officers’ actions during the course of their duties.
Did you know… The Sidearm Signal is just one piece of our video accountability system. Recent upgrades now integrate officers body-worn cameras, in-car dash cameras, Tasers, and the Sidearm Signal to all work in unison to capture video evidence and officers actions. For example, when an officer activates the emergency lights on a patrol car, the in-car dash camera automatically starts recording. When the in-car camera starts recording, this action also automatically starts the officer’s body-worn camera. Also, whenever an officer turns on their Taser, this action automatically starts the officer’s body-worn camera. These automations are of great benefit to our officers as many situations they respond to unfold rapidly. Officers can focus on their safety and tactics to resolve the incident knowing that they don’t have to take the extra step of turning on recording devices.
TECHNOLOGY LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT | 9
HOW WE TRAIN RECRUITS WITH NO PRIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE
FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM 15 weeks The final and most advanced phase of training is the Field Training Officer Program (FTO).
POLICE ACADEMY
PRE-ACADEMY ORIENTATION 2–3 weeks All recruits start with pre-academy training and orientation instructed by Lenexa officers. This establishes baseline skills to benefit the recruit going into the police academy, including geography of Lenexa, physical conditioning, and basic firearms. Recruits are also issued uniforms and equipment during this time.
16 weeks Next, recruits attend the Johnson County Regional Police Academy, located on the Johnson County Community College campus. Here, they learn about topics including law, defensive tactics, interview skills, emergency vehicle operations, reportwriting and firearms. Recruits also participate in many scenario-based exercises with experienced officers acting as role players and instructors grading their handling of the scenarios. Upon graduation from the Police Academy, the recruit is now a certified Kansas law enforcement officer.
POST-ACADEMY TRAINING 4–5 weeks After graduating from the academy, our newly certified officers have in-house training with Lenexa police instructors. Topics include advanced firearms tactics, defensive tactics such as weapon retention, advanced patrol tactics such as active shooter response and orientation to specialized units such as K-9, traffic, dispatch and investigations. This phase ends with 1-2 days of scenario-based training where all previous training will be put to the test during simulated traffic stops and calls for service involving role players.
Each new officer is paired with a training officer to form a two-person patrol unit. These teams are assigned daily to one of our patrol districts and conduct traffic stops, crash investigations and other calls for service. During field training, new officers will spend time on all three of our patrol shifts (days, evenings and nights). They receive daily evaluations and feedback to ensure that they are succcessfully progressing through the FTO program. New officers aren’t expected to know everything from the start. They’re provided with training and resources to gradually learn the basic role of a Lenexa police officer.
LATERAL TRANSFER OFFICERS New hires who are already certified as police officers in another jurisdiction may complete an abbreviated version of our training program, depending on the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center’s (KLETC) determination of the officer’s initial training academy requirements. KLETC makes this determination on a case-by-case basis. Lateral officers will complete 4-5 weeks of in-house training to learn policies and practices specific to the Lenexa Police Department. They then enter
the Field Training Officer Program. Officers who demonstrate required skills and competencies may accelarate through the program more quickly than the typical 15 weeks and be released to solo patrol earlier.
LENEXA POLICE OFFICERS LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT | 10
Lenexa Police Department 12500 W 87th St Pkwy Lenexa, KS 66215
Questions about this report? lenexapdpio@lenexa.com
BEHIND THE BADGE We asked some of our team members why they choose to work for the Lenexa Police Department. Here are their thoughts: “I relocated to this area from Florida where I had been working as a police dispatcher for 13 years. I spoke with a few different police agencies in the KC metro that I was interested in working at. Lenexa was the most welcoming, accommodating and community oriented department, and shared the same goals and visions that I had for my career. After going through the hiring process, I knew Lenexa was where I wanted to be.” Dispatcher I Petline Noon, two-year LPD veteran “I interned with Lenexa PD when I was in college. After that internship, Officers at the department continued to stay in touch with me. They showed they cared and wanted to see me continue my career with the department. In my brief time during the internship, I saw that the department was extremely close-knit, like a family. The department also has numerous opportunities for career advancement such as excellent training and specialized units.” Police Officer Hunter Tschippert, three-year LPD veteran Read more about Hunter’s call to service at Lenexa.com/MeetOurTeam.
Lenexa.com/Police 12500 W 87th St Pkwy, Lenexa, KS, 66215 Non-Emergency Dispatch: (913) 477-7301 Crime Stoppers Anonymous Tip Line: (816) 474-8477 Follow us on: