Newsletter Article; January 2008
Lindon City Police Department Progress
As a rule, each new year starts with promise, and 2008 is no different. This promises to be a year of change for Lindon City, especially in the area of Public Safety. I thought that this would be a good time to bring you up to date on progress as we work toward establishing our own police department.
We have formed a steering committee which is advisory to the creation of the new department. Architectural concept plans for the department workspace in the lower level of the City Center have been finalized, and construction is scheduled to begin soon. Watch for our open house as this phase of the project is completed. Necessary equipment such as firearms, radios, vehicles and computer systems are ordered and in some cases have been received. Design work is on-going on identity items such as badges, uniforms, department logos and vehicle graphics. Work on necessary state requirements and inter-local agreements are also progressing well. Community interest in our Police Department is high. Everywhere I go people want to offer support or, in some cases express concerns. This type of community involvement is extremely valuable as we determine the future direction of our department. I have repeatedly heard one concern that I wish to address. There is a perception that is being fostered by someone of unknown motive. Let me see if I can paraphrase the general rumor;
Because of this move by the Lindon City Council to form Lindon’s own police department, public safety services will suffer because the council won’t provide me as Chief of Police with the necessary support and finances to create an effective police department.
Most of you know that I worked for years in the Pleasant Grove Police Department. I have many loyalties there, and I feel that Pleasant Grove is one of the top departments in the state. I am proud of the men and women there. I assure you that Lindon residents have been provided with outstanding services for the past 23 years. The Lindon City Council from the first day I interviewed for the job expressed that they want the new Lindon City Police Department to be recognized as the “state of the art”, best, community oriented, small police department in the state. The Council did not approach this decision lightly, they had done their research. As I came on board however, I saw that some things had been underestimated if Lindon residents were to receive the same or even greater services than you were accustomed to. A rule of thumb that police departments try to reach, but seldom do, is to provide 1 police officer for every 1,ooo residents. Pleasant Grove PD currently provides services at approximately .75 Officers per 1,000 residents. The Lindon Council initially planned on a manpower level of approximately .83 officers per thousand residents. I approached the Council with several concerns, and was approved with a staffing plan that will allow a minimum of two officers on duty at all times. The approved staffing plan will also provide more supervision, shift overlaps during historically busier times, case investigators, school resource officers, NOVA instructors and sworn Animal Control officers at an operating level of 1.25 Officers per 1,000 residents. We will also have civilian personnel who will keep the police department offices open at least 12 hours a day. Because your City Council approved this staffing plan, you will be seeing more police officers in your neighborhoods and on the streets than at any other time in the past. All indications are that even with this increase in manpower, actual start-up costs will be in line with estimated costs, and operational costs are expected to be very close to what anticipated costs for contract service would have been this year.
If there is a perception out there that the new police department doesn’t have the support of the City Council both logistically and financially, it is simply not true. Please watch for future updates and progress reports.
I want to hear your concerns and community needs. Please feel free to contact me at chief@lindoncity.org or through the City Center at 785-5043.
Cody Cullimore, Chief of Police Lindon City Police Department
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