Success!
Welcoming Our Newest Deputies
"It's a privilege to serve. But it's a responsibility to carry out the duties of the office. It's the people's office. Never forget that. Never un-earn the people's trust."
Words of wisdom from Sheriff Serier for our seven new Deputy Sheriffs who received their badges, took the oath of office, and were sworn-in on November 6th.
Congratulations to you! We look forward to seeing the great things you will do for our communities.
A Note from Sheriff Jack Serier
Being your Ramsey County Sheriff has been the honor of my life.
I'm grateful for the years I've served our communities and for the trust and partnerships we've developed.
I will be wrapping up my service with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office on January 6, 2019.
The Sheriff's Office has wonderful members and volunteers who have a true heart of service and will continue to work hard on your behalf.
Thank you,
Sheriff Jack Serier
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Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges
In late October, we announced the roll-out of our Community Liaison Officer (CLO) program, a partnership that is designed to foster and strengthen mutually trusting relationships between law enforcement and the community.
The CLO program will rely on community-based partners, known as Community Liaison Officers, who live and work in Ramsey County's varied and diverse communities. These partners will serve as "bridges," helping to facilitate open and transparent communication, cooperation, and collaboration between the Sheriff's Office and the communities it serves.
A team of three CLOs has already signed on to partner with us; they are Samakab Hussein, Chia Lor, and Mai Lor. We plan to expand the program to a full complement of ten to twelve community-based partners.
In addition to serving as bridges, CLOs will continue the efforts of the already-established Ramsey County Sheriff's Office Community Circle to expand dialogue with our diverse communities surrounding racial and gender equity, mental health support, and pathways to employment.
Sheriff Jack Serier says, "Law enforcement is at its best when it recognizes that it is not operating in a vacuum and instead reaches outward to build trusting relationships with the people and communities it serves. Our Community Liaison Officers will give us new opportunities to connect on issues and build bridges."
Serving Our Communities with Dedication
 RCSO member Brenna Atz recently had a surprise visit from long-time (and retired) Reserve Deputy Bruce Abrahamson. Bruce arrived bearing a gift for Brenna - an awesome plaque thanking her for her many years of prior service on the Board of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Foundation.
Brenna and Bruce were both founding members of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Foundation, which was formed in 2012 and works to enhance and develop programs and services for youth, crime prevention, community outreach, and public safety. The Foundation is a significant supporter of Sheriff's Office programs.
Thank you both Brenna and Bruce for your dedication to serving our communities.
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Going Far...Together
 "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." – African Proverb
Correctional Officer recruit Shadrac Hyneh recently found himself as a "team of one" in his correctional officer training. But our Deputy recruits, who also started their training at the same time as Shadrac, had a team of seven.
Why not make it a team of eight?
So Shadrac spent the past several weeks completing his correctional officer training alongside our new Deputy recruits, and a bond was formed.
On October 17th, the entire team showed up to stand together with Shadrac and cheer for him, as he was sworn-in as Correctional Officer.
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Channeling Our Inner Hulk
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Were Sergeant Dan Young and Deputy Mike Servatka channeling the Incredible Hulk for Halloween?
Nah, they were just joining the festivities alongside some great kids at Vadnais Heights Elementary School for a "Be Strong" color fun run. The run featured a hefty splash of green chalk on the runners, marking the end of each lap.
Thanks for inviting us!
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Standing in Unity Against Domestic Violence
The numbers are sobering:
- Domestic violence happens to one in three women.
- At least 24 people died in Minnesota in 2017 due to domestic abuse.
- Over 1,500 Orders for Protection are filed in Ramsey County each year.
On October 16th, Sheriff Serier and RCSO Investigator Jason Maltby both appeared at the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners meeting to stand with members of the Board, the County Attorney’s Office, Community Corrections, Social Services, Public Health, and community advocacy organizations as October 2018 was proclaimed Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Ramsey County.
Domestic violence touches the lives of Americans of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances and leaves a devastating impact on women, men, and children in the community.
The Board took the opportunity to honor the work of Ramsey County agencies for their national leadership in domestic violence work and to honor the pioneering work of advocates who founded one of our nation’s first shelters and who have been instrumental in the creation of national models that reduce domestic violence and homicides.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please call 9-1-1 or the Saint Paul & Ramsey County Intervention Project's (SPIP) 24-hour crisis line at 651-645-2824.
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Never Forgetting - Reserve Deputy Mike Wilken
 On October 25, 2009, Reserve Deputy Mike Wilken died in the line of duty while directing traffic at the annual Fright Farm Haunted House event. Mike Wilken had volunteered as a Reserve Deputy with the RCSO for ten years.
Mike was also employed as a clerk at the Saint Paul Police Department Impound Lot, was a Minnesota State Fair Reserve Officer, and before that had been a Park Ranger for the City of Saint Paul.
As our Reserve Deputy, Michael “Big Mike” Wilken worked crowd control at hockey games, parades, and hundreds of other civic events. He was a constant contributor who loved creating “a safe place for kids” and whose stature belied his soft voice and cheerful disposition.
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Welcoming Our New Reserve Deputies
In mid-October, a talented group of men and women completed their Academy training and were sworn in as Ramsey County Reserve Deputies.
Reserve Deputies are Sheriff's Office volunteers who work alongside us to:
- Patrol county parks, trails, lakes, and rivers,
- Help us with major events and activities like the annual Fright Farm haunted house and high school and college sporting events,
- Provide traffic and crowd control,
- Engage in crime prevention and community policing programs,
- Represent us at community events, carnivals and parades,
- Respond to emergency call outs,
- Perform water safety inspections,
- Provide help for Minnesota DNR firearms, snowmobile and ATV youth training classes.
Congratulations to our new Reserves; we look forward to working with you.
Taking a Unified Stand Against Bullying
 Orange was the color of the day on October 24th for Deputy Celina LaBlanche and REACH Academy staff members Maureen, Mounique, Thea, and Megan.
The shirts were worn as part of National Unity Day during National Bullying Prevention Month, with the bold orange sending a universal message that bullying is never acceptable behavior.
The National Bullying Prevention Center offers excellent resources for helping parents, kids, and schools respond to bullying at: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/
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Delivering a Message of Hope
"This addiction thing does not discriminate." ~ Lamonte
We're grateful to Lamonte, Amber, and Sally who spoke about their personal experiences surrounding drug addiction at our November 1st Know the Truth Ramsey County Community Forum at Bethel University in Arden Hills.
They were joined by members of the Sheriff's Office, the Ramsey County Attorney's Office, and Mn Adult & Teen Challenge to deliver a comprehensive view of the challenges we all face as a community to combat drug use and addiction and to reinforce a message of hope.
Still Super-Starring Even After Retirement
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Congratulations to recently-retired Sergeant Kevin Otto for being recognized as a 2018 TZD Star!
The Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) Awards are given to recognize excellence in engineering, enforcement, the judicial/court systems, education, emergency medical and trauma services, child safety, and the media.
Those who receive this special award have demonstrated exceptional creativity, leadership, organizational skills, and the ability to successfully collaborate with and motivate others in efforts to move "toward zero deaths" on Minnesota roads.
Learn more about Minnesota TZD.
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Speaking Messages of Hope and Change
 "If you believe things can change, you have the power to make that change." - Matilde, domestic violence survivor
Sheriff Serier shared the stage in St. Paul in late October with public safety and government leaders, community advocates, and Matilde, an extremely brave woman who spoke about the years of domestic violence she endured, both as a child and an adult.
Thank you to the Saint Paul and Ramsey County Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (SPIP) for hosting this event as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and providing a forum that allowed for truth, insight, and messages of hope.
The SPIP offers free and confidential services, available 24-hours a day, seven days a week; call 651-645-2814.
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- VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY -
2019 CITIZEN ACADEMY
 Applications are open for the 2019 RCSO Citizen Academy.
The Citizen Academy is a three week, six session course that takes participants on a behind-the-scenes journey of the work and activities of the Sheriff's Office.
Academy topics will include patrol procedures, K-9, criminal investigations, crime scene processing, narcotics, crime prevention and the communication center (911 system). We'll also cover court orders, civil process, criminal history, and warrants. Along with classroom training, our participants will go on tours of the patrol station, the adult detention center (jail), and other Sheriff's Office facilities.
WHEN: January 15th, 17th, 22nd, 24th, 29th, and 31st (six sessions) from 6:00-9:30 pm
WHERE: Sheriff's Office facilities in Arden Hills, Little Canada, and Saint Paul
Applications must be received by December 11, 2018. Find the 2019 Citizen Academy application and important details here.
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