By Joelyn Hansen

Students work as a team during the emergency communications exercise.[/caption]

It’s no surprise that I love to talk about communication. So, it’s no surprise that I would enjoy communications training.

In early January I attended a week-long training for public information officers at the Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The training was specifically geared for teaching about operating an emergency communication system.

In the event there is an emergency situation – earthquake, major accident, flooding, etc. – there would be a dire and important need to make sure emergency responders are communicating any information to the public.

It will be up to the PIOs to make sure residents know what’s going on, what to expect, and ultimately how to respond in an emergency. It’s also important that the public is able to communicate their needs to the emergency operations center.

All this information will be expected to flow in and out of the emergency operations center with the help of the PIOs.  Not always an easy task considering how much information there may be in an emergency.

In fact, in our first pre-exercise for our big training exercise, I’d say we failed as there was a bottleneck of information. But, luckily, we figured it out, made some adjustments and information flowed smoothly.

[caption id=”attachment_1950″ align=”alignright” width=”300″> The Emergency Management Institute campus once was the location of the first girls parochial school in the U.S.

Training is really important and this training proved to be worth it. I learned a lot. Hopefully, I’ll be able to continue practicing and applying skills – just hopefully not in a real-life situation anytime soon.

By the way, the campus the training was held has an interesting history. It started out as a Catholic girls’ school (St. Joseph’s Academy) opened by Mother Seton in 1809, making it the first parochial school for girls in the U.S.

Emergency Communication

By Joelyn Hansen

It’s been an amazing year at the Idaho Falls Police Department. We celebrated the retirement of Chief Steve Roos and the appointment of Mark McBride as the new Chief of Police. Along with the many activities, events and projects this year, the department also welcomed two new officers, Chris Reed and Earl Laughter, to the police force.

To highlight 2013, I’ve put together a slide show of photographs taken from throughout the year. Please enjoy!

Overall, it’s been a great year and we certainly look forward to 2014! Bring it on! Happy New Year!

Goodbye 2013 -- You've been a good year!

By Joelyn Hansen

Some of the best news that comes out of this department is when we recognize and award officers for exceptional work! This past week four officers — Craig Morgan, Jeff Pratt, Curtis Bateman and Sgt. Scott Killian — were awarded the Commander’s Commendation for their work in solving a home invasion robbery and multiple burglaries that occurred this past fall.

These guys were instrumental in a successful resolution to these crimes, particularly the woman victimized in the home invasion. They went above and beyond to gather evidence and put together a detailed and thorough case report for prosecutors.

After we made the arrest, the victim said she slept better for the first time in weeks knowing that the suspect was caught and off the streets. It’s great the officers did so much to bring that kind of peace of mind.

Way to go! We certainly appreciate the work you all did!

 

Honors

By Joelyn Hansen

As we get closer to the New Year I’ve had the opportunity to look back at everything the police department has been involved in throughout 2013. This includes the many different projects completed and accomplished.

It’s fitting that the department now unveils its latest completed project — the new and updated website design — as we get ready to begin a brand new

year. Months in the making this site is thanks to the tireless efforts and technical know-how of IFPD Officers Kyle Christopherson, Ryan Nelson (who spear-headed the project before leaving the department in September) and Jared Mendenhall.

The vision was a collaborative effort between myself, the chief and these three officers to really bring the department into the 21st Century. The website now gives the department a more professional and polished look and gives residents a one-stop site where they can access multiple resources, information and news faster and easier. It’s really a win-win for both the department and the community.

For months I’ve been anxiously awaiting the unveil because I am pleased with the finished product and I think a majority of the community will be too!

I invite everyone to explore the site. Find out more about our department, learn about crime prevention, read about the latest department news, sign up for CodeRed and most importantly stay connected to the IFPD.  I also invite you to continually come back again and again as we continue to promote and update information.

A New Year and a New Website

By Joelyn Hansen

When a child’s smile widens a little further and says, “Santa knew my name”, you know everything we do to make Shop with a Cop a lasting memory is worth it. It’s moments like this that remind you that it’s the “little things” that matter to a child.

For 20 years the Idaho Falls Police Department has proudly participated in the annual Shop with a Cop program to make a child’s Christmas a little brighter and to build positive relationships between children and law enforcement officers.

It’s not everyday that police officers get to participate in such a positive experience. Usually, they’re making the difficult decision on who and why someone is going to jail. But, on Shop with a Cop day, the only decision they make is helping a child decide which gift they’re going to purchase for the child’s mom and dad.

It’s always a good day and this year’s event was no different. We hope that this day — filled with the “little things” — will leave a lasting impression on each child.

It goes without saying that this event couldn’t be done by law enforcement alone. It all happens thanks to the generous support of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center, Help Inc., Civitans, Eagles, Kmart, Texas Roadhouse, volunteers and the many citizens that donated money. Thanks again everyone (especially to anyone I may have forgotten to mention in this post)!

 

 

Shop with a Cop 2013

Police Investigate Burglaries

Idaho Falls Police are investigating a series of burglaries that have occurred at construction job sites in the 6300 block of Glen Abbey and the 300 block of North Pointe.

The thefts included $1,500 in lumber, $800 in tools and a $100 light fixture.

According to reports, the unknown suspects broke into an unfinished home in the 6300 block of Glen Abbey and stole tools and a light fixture. Lumber was taken from the other location on North Pointe.

The thefts were reported Monday morning.

Anyone with information regarding these burglaries is asked to contact the IFPD at 529-1200 or 522-1983.

 

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I.F. Man Arrested for Grand Theft

Idaho Falls Police arrested 24-year-old Bradley J. Dennis for grand theft after he stole more than a $1,000 worth of decorative knives and swords from a residence in the 600 block of Calliope.

Dennis of Idaho Falls was booked into the Bonneville County Jail.

According to reports, officers responded to the 600 block of Calliope Monday morning to take a theft report. The owner reported that a Bothlith sword, Japanese Katanas, a Scorpion knife and a large Scemitar sword were taken from her basement.  The knives and swords are valued at $1,050.

The thefts were connected to Dennis.

 

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The Idaho Falls Police Department arrested four people on Monday.

 

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Police Investigate Burglaries; I.F. Man Arrested for Grand Theft

Officer Laughter Sworn In

Idaho Falls Mayor Jared Fuhriman officially swore in the police department’s newest officer Earl Laughter in the mayor’s chambers Monday morning.

Laughter was selected among multiple candidates that tested and applied to the department this past June.

“Today is a good day, especially when we can bring in one of the best employees the city will ever have,” Fuhriman said during the ceremony. “(Law enforcement) is one of the toughest jobs, but I can’t think of a more honorable job you’ll ever have.”

Laughter, who is currently a U.S. Marine Reservist, has long desired to become a police officer.

“Whenever I looked at my life, it always came back to being a police officer,” he said.

Laughter said he is especially excited to not only begin a law enforcement career but to be working in the state of Idaho. Laughter, a native of northern California, said he’s always been attracted to living and working in Idaho. He is also now closer to his parents, who moved to Idaho Falls three years ago.

Laughter also expressed that the department and its police officers offered an attractive work environment.

“It was pretty obvious that it was a pretty tight-knit group of guys that take care of each other,” he said.

Laughter is the son of Denice and Earl Laughter, Jr. He is a 2003 Casa Grande High School graduate in Petaluma, Calif.

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Officer Laughter Sworn In