Ramsey County Sheriff's Office Public Newsletter - April 2018

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"The Heart of Service"

ISSUE 1:  APRIL 2018

Swearing In Ceremony 04022018

Welcoming New Talent to the RCSO

It was our second formal swearing-in ceremony of 2018 in early April at the Landmark Center in St. Paul, and we welcomed:

  • 18 new Deputy Sheriffs and
  • 7 new Correctional Officers

to the RCSO.

We were joined by hundreds of proud friends, family members, and new co-workers as our newest members were sworn-in and had their badges pinned by Sheriff Serier.

Thank you to our talented new members for committing yourself to us and to serving the people of Ramsey County.

Building Relationships Over a Cup of Coffee

Deputy Loe at Coffee with a Cop

This is what our "Coffee With a Cop" events are all about - us connecting with you.

Our community events allow us an opportunity to meet you face-to-face, have great conversation, talk about concerns, and then continue building that relationship over time as we work together on public safety within our neighborhoods and communities.

Thanks to everyone who joined us our March 29th event in Falcon Heights; stay tuned to our Facebook page for news on upcoming community events.

Earning a Stork Award

Stork Award

It's a girl!

You just never know where your patrol shift is going to take you...

Great job by Deputies Rongitsch and Daly who responded to an address in Little Canada recently, and finding that mom's labor wasn't going to wait for the medics to arrive, promptly helped mom deliver a bouncing baby girl.

Honoring a Law Enforcement Legacy and Mentor

Art Blakey proclamation

 

It was a packed house at the April Ramsey County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Public safety leaders, community leaders, police officers, deputies, family, and friends came out to support the Proclamation of “Art Blakey Day,” in honor of Art Blakey’s dedication and service to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office and to his community; the proclamation was submitted by Sheriff Serier and brought forth to the County Board by Commissioner Toni Carter.

Art Blakey started his law enforcement career here at the RCSO in 1965 as a Reserve Deputy. He became a licensed Deputy five years later and continued on to an impressive and honorable career, rising through the ranks to become our first African-American Sergeant, then Lieutenant. Art had many other “firsts,” including serving as the first African-American Commander of the MN Gang Strike Force and the first African-American Police Chief of the Minnesota State Fair.

Art’s service was punctuated by frequent acts of heroism, including his actions during an armed robbery inside a VFW Club, where he encountered three masked men, one of whom was armed. Art shot a lock off a door in the rear of the business, thus getting a citizen inside to safety. Then he went back inside the VFW to rescue the remaining patrons; he was confronted by the armed gunman, exchanged gunfire, struck the gunman with a round, all while sustaining 3 serious gunshot injuries. This event earned Art a Class A Medal of Valor. And years later, as a testament to his character, Art offered forgiveness to the gunman who shot him.

Along with Art’s heroic history, his legacy as a mentor for African-Americans in law enforcement has been equally significant, as evidenced by the number of his supporters who were in attendance honoring him today. Art is directly responsible for the employment of almost 30% of the officers and deputies of color who serve in the metro area.

Thank you Art for your leadership, mentorship, and 52 years of service to the people of Ramsey County.

Going Out with a WOD

Vaughan retirement canva graphic

Going out with a....WOD?

That's right, Commander Barry Vaughan celebrated one of his last days at the RCSO in March with the office CrossFit crew and a grueling workout of the day.

We wish Commander Vaughan many years of happiness in his retirement and thank him for his 33 years of dedicated and professional service to the RCSO and citizens of Ramsey County.

Delivering Easter Cheer to Hospitalized Kids

Easter Bunny Foundation

On Easter weekend, members of the RCSO teamed up with the Gillette Children's Hospital Child Life Unit and one adorable Easter bunny to pay a special Easter visit and deliver toys to 31 children.

Every year, the Easter Bunny Foundation, a non-profit that provides personal visits and toys during Easter week, hops through 29 states delivering smiles to over 14,000 hospitalized children.

Engaging in the National Conversation

HBO canva graphic

During April's recent "Snowmageddon," we're guessing there was a lot of T.V. binging going on! If you were tuned into HBO on Friday, April 13th, we hope you caught "Wyatt Cenac's Problem Areas," which featured local leaders, community activists, and members of the Sheriff's Office.

Last December, a phenomenal HBO film crew landed in Minnesota and set up shop at the Sheriff's Office. Over the course of two days, the crew and host Wyatt Cenac got to know Sheriff Serier, our training team, and our brand-new Correctional Officer recruits during a series of interviews and observations to hone-in on our character-based hiring and training model.

We appreciate our men and women who generously participated in the filming and HBO for giving us an opportunity to share our public service philosophy and participate in a complex and important national conversation.

Watch the full episode online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7C8OUZFas

Inspiring Others with a Brave Story

Dylane Wallat in Austin Daily Herald

“I had a speech impediment,” RCSO Deputy Wallat explained to Austin High School students at a recent Austin High School assembly. “It made me feel alone … I kind of felt like I didn’t have a place.”

Thanks to Deputy Wallat for sharing her story as part of Women's History Month, and hopefully inspiring more than a few young people to keep their heads up, stay in the game, and set big goals.

Read the full article in the Austin Daily Herald at: https://bit.ly/2GO9HMc

Ensuring Safe Travels

RCSO members set out on both foot and bicycle on a Saturday in late March to assist nearly 18,000 people to safely move from Harriet Island to the Minnesota State Capitol during the Minnesota March for Our Lives.

Thanks to everyone, whether working, driving, marching, or just passing through for making this a safe event.

March for Our Lives canva graphic

Getting the Word Out - Community Outreach

Coffee with a Cop Star Tribune grab

“In this day and age of social media and smartphones, people still don’t know what we do on a day-to-day basis,” Deputy Servatka said. Meeting the public over coffee, he said, “can be a slow process, but I believe it’s making a difference, one person at a time.”

Read more about "Coffee With a Cop," one of several RCSO community outreach programs, in the full Star Tribune article at http://strib.mn/2GLKaHE

Finding our Inner Radio Voices

KMOJ appearance

On a recent Friday morning, Sheriff Serier, Sergeant Suwana Kirkland, and Deputy Brooke Hill took to the airwaves and joined the 89.9 KMOJ Morning Show with Freddie Bell and Chantel SinGs.

A huge thank you to our hosts, who gave us ample air time to spread the word about our upcoming Women's Academy opportunity, to chat about what it's like being a woman in law enforcement, and to discuss the importance of racial and gender equity in public safety professions.

Recognizing 30 Years of Service

Kevin Otto 30 years

When the Chief Deputy calls you out during a large meeting of your peers, it can make you a little nervous!

But in this case, Acting Commander Kevin Otto was called out at a recent leadership meeting to be thanked in front of his peers for his 30 years of service to Ramsey County.

Thank you A/Commader Otto for everything you've done over the years to make the world a better place.

Celebrating Our Favorite "Puppy" Servants

Our human members get the vast majority of the accolades, but in March we had a chance to celebrate our four-legged members, too, on "National Puppy Day." Thank you to our K9 partners Jax, Rook, Boone, Vito, Tonto, and Apache for working alongside us and serving our communities.

National Puppy Day 2018

- PUBLIC EVENTS -

Know the Truth Community Forums

We've partnered with Mn Adult and Teen Challenge/Know the Truth to bring you two outstanding educational forums this April.

This is a step we can all take together toward responding to the opioid epidemic in our communities. Join us.

Drug Coalition Forum

- PUBLIC EVENT -

Coffee with a Cop

Coffee with a Cop 042418

Join your neighbors and Ramsey County Deputies at the North Oaks Caribou Coffee, 113 Village Center Drive, North Oaks, MN for coffee and conversation.

No agenda or speeches, just a chance to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know us and your neighbors a little better.

Questions? Please contact Deputy Mary Bergstrom at mary.bergstrom@co.ramsey.mn.us.

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425 Grove Street - Saint Paul, MN 55102

www.ramseycountysheriff.us

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