It’s been a busy year for the Great Bend Police Department, Chief David Bailey told the Great Bend City Council Monday night. And, there is already a lot in store for the year to come.
“As a department we strive to meet the demands of the community,” he said, as he ran through a slide presentation. “Through effective planning and implementation, we will continue to deliver quality public safety services to our citizens.”
The 2020-2024 Strategic Plan serves as an integral part of the department’ preparation for the future needs of Great Bend. “Our department personnel will be familiar with the plan and responsible for accomplishment of goals.”
The goals and associated strategies will enable the department to continue to deliver public safety services to the residents and businesses of Great Bend.
What’s going on in the Department?
• 2019 K-9 Menta was certified and began work for the Great Bend Police Department. Retired K-9 Lazar.
• GBPD sponsored the Reid interview and interrogation class in Great Bend. This is a national program it was a big deal to bring it to Great Bend, he said.
• School resource officers assist the Juvenile Justice Authority in instructing a new program called ALL STAR’S to sixth grade and high school students 9-12 grades. The classes cover a wide variety of topical issues, such as human trafficking and drug abuse.
• School resource officers continue instructing the Drug Resistance Education Program to fifth grade students.
• Added a narcotic detective position.
• Start using “PEP test” - Personnel Evaluation Profile testing on new applicants. This is designed to reduce officer turn-over.
• Attending Job Fairs to speak with applicants.
• Replaced an old heating and air unit in GBPD.
• Chief graduated the certified public manager Course.
• Began online training for officers saving overtime costs.
• Added drone program and operational procedures. “We are ready to fly,” Bailey said.
• Is up to 33 certified positions.
• Continued crime fighting.
• Two officer’s in training, one at GBPD and one at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center near Yoder.
• Sent several officers to crisis intervention training and active shooter training.
• Provided several active shooter training classes to community businesses.
What’s next?
• GBPD to hire two officers.
• GBPD working on electronic transfer of completed cases to the Barton County Attorney’s Office to speed up charges.
• GBPD working on electronic transfer of case files to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
• Updating the department’s in-house and car computer systems and equipment.
• In 2020, update GBPD radios to the 800 MHz radio system.
• In 2020, add a second K-9 and Handler.
• June of 2020, GBPD to sponsor statement analysis class.
• Preparation of location of new radar signs in City of Great Bend. The signs will be installed to help reduce the speed of traffic.
• GBPD will sponsor an search and seizure as well as a asset forfeiture training class in 2020.
• GBPD along with Barton County Sheriff’s Office and the County Attorney’s Office are working on a joint purchase of equipment.
• GBPD Officers are working to lower crime index within the city.
Calls statistics
For 2018
• GBPD had 119,894 radio calls.
• 3,807 criminal cases taken.
• 2,231 traffic/Misdemeanor offenses.
• 1,950 warning citations.
In 2019 year to date GBPD:
• GBPD had 123,336 Radio calls.
• 3,046 criminal cases taken.
• 1,655 traffic/misdemeanor offenses.
• 1,784 warning citations.
A.C.T.
“Let’s A.C.T. together as a community to fight Crime,” he said, referring to the acronym which stands for Attack Crime together. “We are a 24-hour service provider. Please call and use us.”
How Citizens can help.
• Call Crime Stoppers 620-792-1300
• Call the Great Bend Police Department 620-793-4120
• Call the 911 Center at “911” or 620-793-1920
• Call the Barton County Sheriffs Office at 620-793-1876
• Call any Law Enforcement Agency for assistance.
• Report on line at the City of Great Bend Web Site.
“Report what you see,” he said.
Great Bend City Council meeting at a glance
Here is a quick look at what the Great Bend City Council did Monday night:
• Heard a report from Police Chief David Bailey and Fire Chief Luke McCormick.
• Approved a letter of support for Great Bend Commission on Aging for a Kansas Department of Transportation grant application to replace vehicles in its fleet. The agency is wanting to purchase a ramp-accessible minivan and a full-size van with wheelchair lifts and accessories.
The total cost is $ 113,775, but the grant requires a 20% local match, or $22,755. Of that, the commission will kick in $2,755 and the city will contribute $20,000 that was included in the city’s budget anticipating this purchase.
Vehicles to be ordered in spring 2020 and delivered summer/autumn 2020.
The commission is a function of the city. Members of this and other boards and committees are appointed by the mayor with the approval of the City Council.
• Approved a letter of support for Rosewood Roots and Wings Foundation for a Kansas Department of Transportation grant application. This would be used to continue the operation of their public transportation system by adding a third KDOT-funded 14-passenger vehicle, said the foundation’s Sue Cooper.
Last year, the vehicle cost $60,000. This year, the cost jumped to $63,000, she said.
• Set the swearing-in date for the newly election council members and mayor as Jan. 6, 2020. In accordance to a new charter ordinance that went effect Nov. 12 directs that persons elected in November are to be sworn in at the first regularly scheduled January meeting immediately after old business is transacted.
• Approved the replacement of the sound system at Fire Station 1. The $9,109.23 bid was awarded to Presentation Solutions of Salina, a company started by a former Great Bend firefighter, at the recommendation of Fire Chief Luke McCormick.
The current system has become unreliable, McCormick said. The current system is failing and firefighters have struggled hearing information clearly from 911.
Now, they have to carry their portable radios so they don’t miss a call from 911.
They had three companies look at the system and it was determined the system would need replacing. They narrowed this to two, Presentation Solutions and Parr Sound and Lighting of Great Bend.
Parr’s bid was for $6,780. But, Presentation Solutions evaluated Fire Station 1 using a computer program to determine the appropriate speaker locations.
The new system would be compatible with the 800 radio system.
Councilman Dan Heath was the lone no vote.
• Heard a report from City Administrator Kendal Francis.
• Heard a report from Community Coordinator Christina Hayes. She focused on the falconry convention in Great Bend this week, new holiday banners for downtown and new signs at the entrances to Great Bend.
• Approved abatements at: 1400 12th, accumulation of trash, Carolyn Stacey Farri; 2545 Forest, motor vehicle nuisance, TMS Rentals LLC.; and 1801 Willow Lane, accumulation of trash, Carolyn Stacey Farris.
