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A Close Friend Retires


One of my closest colleagues retired Friday.  Ken Brown put in 28 years working everything including undercover narcotics, patrol, detectives, traffic, and most recently Captain of Detectives.  Through his career he investigated several high-profile, violent crimes in Idaho Falls.
Ken and I worked together in many areas over the years.  He’s a natural athlete.  When we were on SWAT together, part of the annual qualification was a timed two-mile run.  I had to work out regularly to pass it.  Ken would just show up after a tennis game and lap me by the second mile.  Did I mention he still has a full head of hair?  Nope, no jealously here.
Ken is a faithful father and husband.  I recall a work trip to Vegas we made with some colleagues.  You can guess at the after-hours events that were available.  Without any coaxing on my part, Ken chose the higher path.  I remember him commenting on wishing his wife was there.  Cool, huh?
Ken is a graduate of the FBI Nation Academy and has earned several commendations and recognitions for his actions, including “Supervisor of the Year” in 2005. He moved up through the ranks being promoted to sergeant in 1999, lieutenant in 2001 and captain in 2007.
I took him mountain climbing once, which is kind of funny when you realize he’s afraid of heights.  I remember him clawing his way to a cliff’s edge determined to face his fears – all the time screaming like a little girl.  I love that courage!
Ken is an incredible leader and knows how to make things happen.  He has an uncanny ability to size up a problem and quickly find the solution.  He is known for his compassion for victims.
Ken and I have worked together, played together, and shed tears together.  I’m going to miss him.

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Peace Officer's Memorial


On Monday, members of local law enforcement and the community gathered at the Courthouse to pay homage to the men and women, particularly those in Idaho, that have lost their lives while serving as police officers.


The National Peace Officer’s Memorial Day started in 1962, pays tribute to police officers that have lost their lives in the line of duty.  Across the nation, 140 to 160 officers are killed annually.  Last year, the number was 166.  Through April of this year, there have been 35.

Average age: 44
Average tour of duty: 13 years 5 months
Most common cause of death: gunfire

We don’t like to dwell on the possibility that we won’t be coming home tonight.  But police officers and their families face that prospect every day.

Why do they do it?  Because when these brave men and women look in the mirror, they pose the question, “If not me, then who?” -my favorite combination: courage and love.



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Juvenile Arrest Explained


There was a recent dust up on TV about the IFPD charging a 10-year-old for bringing a gun to school.  Some people thought this meant we drug him out of class in hand cuffs and hauled him off to jail.  Not even close.

Some things can’t be explained with a 10-second sound bite, so here’s my shot at giving a quick summary of how the juvenile system works:

Except in the most serious cases, the juvenile is not picked up by police and taken to the juvenile detention center, but rather is “referred” by police to the Juvenile Probation Department via paper, not hand cuffs.  At that point, Juvenile Probation does a background on the child – taking in consideration prior criminal acts, the current criminal act, and age – and makes a recommendation to prosecutors.

Prosecutors can then either file formal criminal charges in court or place the juvenile in an informal diversion program.  A diversion program is usually for those that are first-time offenders or young offenders.  Diversion programs are designed to address the problem and provide a plan to correct it without the child having a permanent record.  The goal is what’s best for the child.

The deputy prosecutor assigned to juveniles discussed this case with me and we both agreed that informal diversion would likely be appropriate.  You may be one of those that thought the kid should have just received a time out.  Bringing a gun inside the school?  Sorry, I’m not there.  Haul him off in handcuffs?  Nope, I’m not there either.  Diversion program designed to help support the parent and help the child be a productive member of society?  - Sounds about right to me.

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Council Considers Less Regulation


This coming Tuesday morning, the city council is going to discuss dumping two ordinances, Public Dancing Establishments and Hotel Licensing.  Besides proposing new or revising existing ordinances, I believe I have a responsibility to propose repealing ordinances that no longer serve the public good and in this case, reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on businesses.

The Public Dancing Establishments ordinance was adopted in 1922 and has been amended several times over the years, with the last time being in 2009, when I recommended removing a restriction prohibiting dancing on Sundays.  Between the fire codes and alcohol laws, there are already plenty of rules covering the safety aspects.

The Hotel Ordinance was adopted in 1908 to assure hotels keep a registry. In today’s business world, they do this anyway.  We currently have 18 hotel/motel licenses issued and the city collects 50 cents a room annually.  This isn’t a big expense for the hotels, but it is one more piece of paperwork that adds to their regulatory burden.

I’m a big believer in the rule of law and the way I see it, unnecessary or antiquated laws have the net effect of degrading the respect for laws in general, including those that really matter. 

You can link to the ordinances here and then click on Title 4-19 for Dancing Establishments and Title 4-17 for Hotels.  If you’d like to weigh in, contact a city council member or attend Tuesday’s work session which begins at 8:00 a.m. at the council chambers Tuesday May 8.

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