Resident Services

Resident Services / Police Services

Officers in the Community

Police Chief Column
By Police Chief Brian Quinn
As published in the SNP/Arlington News

As I talked to the officers in my division about my topic this month, they reminded me communication is not just the job of the Police Chief. Most of our force is, indeed, involved in sharing news, tips, advice and education with the community. In fact, we touch the lives of thousands of Upper Arlington citizens every year as we make presentations to the many clubs and organizations that invite us to visit. When Officer Don Stanko showed me the list of programs available through our Community Relations Unit, I was impressed to see the topics numbered close to 100.

Those of us who have chosen public safety as our vocation feel very deeply about protecting the citizens in our care. Not only do we continually update our own training and education in order to provide the best service possible, we also are committed to helping citizens protect themselves, their children, their belongings and their businesses. This partnership between an educated police force and a well-informed citizenry is what makes cities like Upper Arlington so safe. We watch out for each other.

If you have a child who has gone through the fifth grade in Upper Arlington sometime in the past 35 years, you are familiar with our DARE program. If you registered your child for Safety Town, he or she has personally met some of our officers. But did you know the education we offer citizens far exceeds the couple hundred students we reach each year in our elementary schools?

We recently launched the first Upper Arlington Citizen Police Academy. From a number of applicants, we selected 12 citizens ranging in age from 20-something to 70-plus to join this 10-week program. From mid-September through mid-November, these students have received 20-plus hours of instruction by our officers, with the goal of sharing the experiences of the division and the situations we face on a regular basis. Through this program, we are giving students hands-on experience in crime scene investigations, the laws of arrests, defensive tactics, firearms safety and training, patrol tactics, and crime prevention. Sergeant Mike Nagode (coordinator), and Officers Don Stanko, and Greg Elllifritz are leading the Academy planning and instruction. From this inaugural class, we plan to form an alumni group, giving our division extra “people power” when help is needed to communicate safety information to residents.

If you are not among the first 12 to participate in the Citizen Police Academy, that doesn’t mean the door to education is closed to you. We have quite an active education calendar. From “Stranger Danger” to “9-1-1: A Tool, Not a Toy,” we begin to teach pre-schoolers early safety lessons. Elementary students hear our officers speak on topics from “Bullying” and “Good Students Don’t Steal” to “Gun Safety,” “Flag Etiquette,” and “Fencing — a Positive Alternative Activity.” Teachers, scout leaders, camp counselors, nannies and day care workers can request an educational visit from one of our officers.

At the middle and high school levels, we have programs on “Internet Safety,” “The Dangers of Inhalants,” “Constitutional Rights,” “Binge Drinking,” “Personal Safety,” and so much more. Courses from our officers can be tailored to fit the needs of any classroom, youth group, study group, sports team and other organizations.

The number of adults seeking advice from our officers has grown more than any other age group we serve. It appears that parents and senior citizens have discovered a great need to educate themselves on topics such as “Identity Theft,” “Internet and Predator Safety,” “Robbery Prevention,” “Home Improvement Scams,” “Self-Defense,” “Road Rage Dangers,” and more. We have participated in meetings scheduled by church groups, PTOs, senior groups, book clubs, MOM groups, etc. Business owners have invited us to speak on “Loss Prevention,” “Van Driving,” “Office Safety,” and other topics related to keeping the office environment safe. How can we help you?

Always remember the Upper Arlington Police Division is ready to serve WITH YOU in the role of public safety. Although we are the ones with the badges, our community is much stronger when we work together. When our citizens are better informed, they also are better protected.

Police Division
City of Upper Arlington
3600 Tremont Road
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Phone: 614-583-5150
www.ua-ohio.net