Johnston Police Lieutenant Tyler Tompkins hosted the January 14th meeting at the Johnston Police Department located at 6373 Merle Hay Road. Lieutenant Tompkins took us on a tour of the Police Department. During our tour we learned that the building was built in 2014 with cost savings in mind since it is shared with the Johnston Fire Department. The police department is on the south side of the building and denoted by the blue lighting in the hallway that separates them from the north side that occupies the fire department. When you first enter the building's vestibule you become aware that the security is at the forefront as it should be. The vestibule is equipped with bullet proof glass and there are front entry doors have the ability to be locked quickly between the entry and the vestibule if there is ever anyone coming in to cause harm. There are also gates that can be closed to hold back a 30,000 lb. vehicle traveling at 35 miles per hour towards the building. The location is considered as a secondary facility for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for the metro area in case of an emergency.
During our tour we learned that the Johnston Police Dept. works with Homeland Security in order to provide support and safety for events such as; caucus at Iowa Public Television, practicing for situations involving a bomb squad, and protestors. They also work with other metro law enforcements to provide safety to all. Every Wednesday the Briefing room is used for a meeting of representatives from the various law enforcements to meet and share information. This briefing room is where our police department meets daily to share information with the officers that are working the different shifts. The officers work a nine hour shift so that there is an overlap of coverage throughout the day. Their cars are equipped with a computer. It was interesting to learn that the vehicles cost about $30,000 and are equipped with about $15,000 of equipment and an additional $30,000 for the electronics. The lieutenants and the officers are equipped with body cameras that they activate when dealing with the public. The officers keep their equipment in a case that is stored in the Quartermaster room.
Tyler introduced us to Lieutenant Steve Nore, who is the head instructor in the Training Room. Lt. Nore and Tyler demonstrated the equipment that is used for the officers to conduct tactical maneuvers and judgement training. The equipment cost $60,000 which allows for video scenarios that the officers are able to react to and depending on the situation it will show the result of the confrontation. During the demonstration we witness how an officer first tries to verbalize with the person in order to deflate the situation. The training allows officers to use the various equipment like a Taser, revolver, and shotguns. It was stressed that the officers' first line of defense is to talk the other person down from the situation.
On a personal note, the community of Johnston is very fortunate to have an excellent police department and the support that the Rotary receives by their involvement in our organization.
During our tour we learned that the Johnston Police Dept. works with Homeland Security in order to provide support and safety for events such as; caucus at Iowa Public Television, practicing for situations involving a bomb squad, and protestors. They also work with other metro law enforcements to provide safety to all. Every Wednesday the Briefing room is used for a meeting of representatives from the various law enforcements to meet and share information. This briefing room is where our police department meets daily to share information with the officers that are working the different shifts. The officers work a nine hour shift so that there is an overlap of coverage throughout the day. Their cars are equipped with a computer. It was interesting to learn that the vehicles cost about $30,000 and are equipped with about $15,000 of equipment and an additional $30,000 for the electronics. The lieutenants and the officers are equipped with body cameras that they activate when dealing with the public. The officers keep their equipment in a case that is stored in the Quartermaster room.
Tyler introduced us to Lieutenant Steve Nore, who is the head instructor in the Training Room. Lt. Nore and Tyler demonstrated the equipment that is used for the officers to conduct tactical maneuvers and judgement training. The equipment cost $60,000 which allows for video scenarios that the officers are able to react to and depending on the situation it will show the result of the confrontation. During the demonstration we witness how an officer first tries to verbalize with the person in order to deflate the situation. The training allows officers to use the various equipment like a Taser, revolver, and shotguns. It was stressed that the officers' first line of defense is to talk the other person down from the situation.
On a personal note, the community of Johnston is very fortunate to have an excellent police department and the support that the Rotary receives by their involvement in our organization.