Lakeville Police Recognizes Employees for Service

The success of the has always rested on the day in and day out efforts of our officers, staff and supervisors in providing the highest level of public safety services to our citizens as possible. Their commitment to serving our citizens is one of the key elements in our long term success in helping to keep Lakeville one of the safest communities in the metro area.

Last week, we had the opportunity to recognize and honor a number of our employees, along with employees from all City of Lakeville departments passing five year milestones in their years of service to our community at the annual City of Lakeville Service Awards ceremony.

From the Police Department, Captain Kevin Manias was recognized for joining the very small, select group of officers in the history of this agency who have achieved 25 years of service with the Lakeville Police Department. Captain Manias, a consummate law enforcement professional, was hired as a patrol officer 25 years ago and has worked his way up through the ranks in multiple assignments to hold his current position in charge of the Operations Division for the department.

In addition, Evidence Technician Lori Clemmer also was recognized for her 20 years of service with the department. Lori is probably one of the better known members of our Police Department as she led a number of our crime prevention initiatives over the years (National Night Out, Safety Camp and Child Restraint Program) before taking on her current duties managing our property and evidence facility.

Sergeants Jason Polinski and John Kornmann and Officer Doyle Cockrell were all recognized for 15 years of service to the department.

Officers James Dronen, Kevin O’Neill and Shawn Fitzhenry were recognized for ten years of service and Officers Jason Jensen, Shawn McMahon and Community Service Officer Jason Aguirre were recognized for five years of service.

The significant individual contribution of each one of these employees is a product of their true dedication to public service combined with their experience and knowledge gained in serving our community. We thank them for their years of service.

By the Numbers

Selected LPD activity for the week of September7 through September 14, 2011:

19 traffic crashes, 29 alarms, 23 animal calls, 28 medical emergencies, 22 thefts, and 201 traffic stops.

Rollover Crash Results in Minor Injuries

Officer Michelle Roberts responded to a two vehicle crash in the intersection of County Road 46 and the I-35 southbound entrance ramp. Upon arrival, Officer Roberts found that one vehicle had rolled on its side after the collision in the intersection. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the crash, but one driver was transported to the hospital.

Initial crash investigation indicated that the crash occurred when one vehicle failed to yield right of way to the other vehicle in the intersection. One driver was cited for the traffic violation.

Dumb Criminal(s) of the Week

Officer Greg Jensen was on patrol late one night this week when he pulled into a gas station, parked his marked squad and went in to the store to purchase a can of soda. A short while later, while he was in the store, a citizen came up to Jensen and advised him that there was a possible drug deal going down in the parking lot involving a person next to a parked vehicle.

Officer Jensen walked over to the parked vehicle and found that the person reported to be next to the vehicle had left the area. What Jensen did observe in plain view were the two surprised occupants of the vehicle caught in the act of rolling their first joint out of their recently purchased baggie of marijuana. Jensen arrested the two subjects and cited them for possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle.