By showing appreciation is one way the local community shows their support for the men and women that keep the streets of Great Bend safe.
On Friday Traci Couch the wife of the Great Bend Police Chief Cliff Couch, had an appreciation day for the local law enforcement.
The celebration started around 9:30 at the Great Bend Police Department where Traci Couch brought a banner signed by people of the community, snacks for the officers and appreciation cards from the students of local schools.
Once she was done at the police department she headed over to the Barton County Sheriff’s Office.
With all the negativity towards law enforcement, the appreciation day was meant to shed some light on the good that these people do for our community. These people risk their lives every day, patrolling the streets. They keep drugs away from our youth and they support the community anyway they can.
“Our goal is to help the community. We want them to have a good relationship with us,” Cliff Couch, Great Bend Police Chief said. “Their problems are our problems.”
Couch grew up in Tallahassee, Fla., earning associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree in law enforcement-related study areas. He started his law enforcement career with the Leon County, Fla., Sheriff’s Department, leaving to serve a four-year hitch in the Marines. He worked as a narcotics detective, in vice and a violent crimes unit, and was part of a Special Weapons and Tactics team.
After leaving the service, he moved to Goodland, and in 2011 became chief of police, leading a nine-man force. Over the years, he’s had special training in such areas as gangs, drug enforcement and searches/seizures.
Couch was selected from 20 applicants for the position of the Great Bend Police Chief and started last April. His family arrived in Great Bend shortly after to begin their new adventure.