The Lookout

LLPD honors three of its staff with annual awards

The Liberty Lake Police Department recognized the exceptional contributions of three of its staff with the department’s special awards for 2022. The awards were formally presented as part of the regular meeting of the Liberty Lake City Council that was held on Jan. 3.

• The 2022 Sergeant’s Award was presented to Master Police Officer Stephanie Olivas, who has been part of the Liberty Lake police staff since February 2019. In handing the award to MPO Olivas, Sgt. Mike Bogenreif called her “a team player who always puts the needs of the department over hers,” and recalled how Olivas assisted colleagues while she was offduty by providing Spanish language translation during their interactions

Local police equipped with AEDs unit through SVFD

Coinciding in time for February’s Heart Health Month, some of Liberty Lake’s police vehicles will now be carrying automated external defibrillator (AED) units so officers can provide quick assistance to people suffering sudden cardiac arrests.

The new units are being provided through a partnership that was announced on Jan. 17 with the Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD). SVFD will be repurposing 23 AED units that will be divided through a lend-lease arrangement among the Liberty Lake Police Department as well as the Spokane Valley Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department.

The American Heart Association has reported that more than 356,000 cardiac arrests outside of a hospital occur each year in the United States, with nearly 90 percent of those being fatal. The portable AED units are able to deliver an electrical shock to help a heart re-establish an effective rhythm.

“It’s really important that we get these on patients as soon as with a suspect that allowed the staff to handle the situation in a timely manner. Additionally, Olivas has become a certified car seat technician and will be holding classes in the future to help Liberty Lake residents install their child car seats correctly. Plus, she has become the department’s background investigator for newly hired officers.

• The department’s first-ever Lieutenant’s Award was given to Master Police Officer Derek Arnold, who has served with the Liberty Lake police since October of 2019. In presenting the award, Liberty Lake Police Lt. Darin Morgan recognized Arnold’s duties as the department’s armorer, pistol instructor and primary weapons instructor, adding that Arnold revised standards to make them more relevant to current practices for law enforcement. Arnold also took an active role as the staff’s field training officer coordinator and as a crew chief for the multi-jurisdictional Spokane County Air Unit.

• The 2022 Officer of the Year Award was presented to Officer Jordan Sowell, who joined the Liberty Lake police in July of 2020. In announcing this award, Liberty Lake Police Chief Damon Simmons said: “The day-to-day challenges officers face have increased exponentially and stepping up to meet those challenges is as difficult.” He called Sowell “magnificent” in meeting those challenges, adding that Sowell “is a great example of the fact that leadership is not based on stripes, bars, leaves or stars.”

Parks & Arts welcomes two new commissioners

Two new members have recently joined the Liberty Lake Parks and Arts Commission. John Bahr began a term in November that will continue through the end of 2023 and Noelle Otersen Loparco started her at-large term in January that will run through the end of 2024.

Bahr’s resume includes work as a supervision principal at U.S. Bank, experience as a consultant on projects through Jefferson Well Consulting and serving in financial compliance with Piper Jaffray and West One Bancorp. Additionally, he has been providing the garden that visitors to the Liberty Lake Municipal Library have been enjoying at the southwest corner of that property for the past four years.

Loparco grew up in Liberty Lake and moved back to the city within the past year. She has been involved with the Coeur d’Alene Library, has worked as a sommelier consultant and is employed in the financial planning field with New York Life.

possible,” said SVFD Chief Frank Soto Jr. “In our minds and in the minds of our law enforcement is why not do this together in a combined effort. They’re often first on the scene, so why not take advantage of that – provide them with these AEDs so they can actually start the lifesaving process before we get there and get the best opportunity for survival from a cardiac arrest.”

Liberty Lake Police Chief Damon Simmons added: “Liberty Lake is a smaller community, and often we (the police) are the first on the scene. We’re there pretty fast. Giving our officers another tool to increase the survivability rates of individuals who are suffering cardiac arrest or heart attack is just a great opportunity for us to help the community and increase our ability to safeguard the public.”

The city of Liberty Lake is also part of the Pulse Point program with SVFD The Pulse Point app is available free on the App Store and Google Play to download. The app alerts CPR–trained bystanders to a cardiac emergency in your area. It then provides direction to the exact location of the emergency, as well as the closest AED. AED machines are available at located all city parks and properties. To learn more, visit www.pulsepoint.org.

The volunteer group currently consists of seven members and is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations about recreation programs offered by the city, overseeing the municipal arts programs and reviewing proposals related to the city’s parks. The commission also serves as the City Forestry Board and oversees its Urban Forestry Program. Meetings of the Parks and Arts Commission are held on the first Monday of each month at Liberty Lake City Hall starting at 4 p.m.