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02 13 15 JTF1 1 The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming POLICE OFFICERS Jerry Murphy John Larrive Bobby Lambert Todd Rosse Jeff Vonfeldt Steven Meyer Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Nick Gorgos Robin Nelson INVESTIGATIONS Chad Willson SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Jennifer Fordham SUPPORT STAFF Kim Henning Trista Miller Lisa Brandt Becky Pentel RESERVES Randy Pentel Jim Knox Jeff Parker CHAPLAINS Butch Millett John Snider David Wick Frances Cuenca Alberto Vargas Lynn Liberman Sue Plucker Joel Detlefsen Lenny Andrie FEBRUARY 13, 2015 “Police Use of Force” has been all over the news and widely quesƟoned in the public eye. When an officer uses force they are judged on a standard based on the unanimous US Supreme Court decision on May 15, 1989, or Graham vs Connor. The court held that all police use of force, deadly or not, is to be judged against the US ConsƟtuƟon’s 4th Amendment using the “objecƟve reasonableness” standard. The standard is applied anyƟme either a seizure occurs or an officer aƩempts to limit or terminate the free movement of a person. “Reasonable” is based upon consideraƟon of what a reasonable police officer would do in the same situaƟon. This is not the same as applying 20/20 hindsight judgment, as negaƟve outcomes, which occur frequently, are not an officer’s “reasonable” expectaƟon or hope in any situaƟon. Therefore, “reasonable” consideraƟon includes of 3 elements: 1.) the facts the officer had at the Ɵme of the acƟon, 2.) the amount of Ɵme available to make a decision (a split second or an hour), and 3.) the reasonable amount of force for that moment. This is a very simplisƟc, and oŌen subjecƟve, applicaƟon of an extremely complex issue, as oŌen there are many other factors that go into an officer’s decision to use force. Truly, the use of force is a tool to reinforce the concept of a law‐abiding naƟon, available for officers to reasonably enforce the law. To view some case law, check out the following link: hƩp://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/ getcase.pl?court=us&vol=490&invol=386 WE RECENTLY MET A LOCAL 12 YEAR OLD WRITER. UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE TRIAL OF OFFICER PATRICK’S MURDERER, WE ASKED HER IF SHE WOULD WRITE AN ARTICLE FROM HER PERSPECTIVE. HERE IS HER STORY: It was scary. That’s the best way to describe it. It was scary when I found out that a local police officer had been shot and killed. It was surreal too, because that kind of stuff only happens on TV shows and in movies. Right? Wrong. The suspect was on the run, but it was very clear that the police were doing whatever they could to take control of the situaƟon. I disƟnctly remember when they captured Brian Fitch Sr. It was such a relief. In the days that followed the murder I grew more and more confused. Why would someone do this? I, along with my mother and sister, aƩended the funeral procession of Officer ScoƩ Patrick. We lined the streets with many others in support of his fellow officers and his mourning family. It was incredible to see how unified the different police forces are. Not only did the police forces come together in that Ɵme, but so did the ciƟzens of the communiƟes. We grieved over the tragic loss of this hero. As I am twelve years old, not knowing much about the legal system, I was somewhat surprised that Brian Fitch Sr. had pleaded not guilty. Throughout the numerous news reports and newspaper arƟcles that I saw and read it had become an assumpƟon that he had commiƩed the crime. There seemed to be quite enough evidence to convict him. The verdict came as no surprise to me. Guilty as charged. I agree with the decision. I truly hope that Brian Fitch Sr. realizes what he has done to the Patrick family and the community. I pray for the Patrick family also, as this wound is one that will never heal. “USE OF FORCE BY POLICE” 2 2 Child Protection Monday 17:37 hours Officer Steve Meyer and Sergeant Peyton Fleming were dispatched to Henry Sibley High School on a child protection issue involving a student. Upon arrival, they were met by the school principal who stated a student was in fear of his father and did not want to leave school with him. The father became upset with his child and came at the child as if intending to harm him. There had been previous incidents where the father had become physical with the child so a safe home was made for the child for the night. Case referred to Dakota County Social Services. Crisis/Mental Health Friday 01:31 hours Sergeant Tanner Spicer along with Officer Todd Rosse responded to an address of an intoxicated male who was found by his wife. Officers arrived to find an extremely intoxicated male, unable to stand or speak coherently. The male admitted to using alcohol and prescription medication together for the past two days. He was unable to provide a breath sample as he had shallow breathing. A health and welfare hold was placed on the male and HealthEast arrived to transport him to the hospital. 5th Degree Drugs Friday 21:11 hours Sergeant Tanner Spicer and Officer Steve Meyer were dispatched to a local motel on a trespassing report. Upon arrival, they were met by the hotel owners who stated there were unwanted guests in two of the rooms who were not on the rental agreement and wanted them removed. Officers went to the first room to notify them that they are to leave in which they did so. They then went to the second room and the door was answered by a female who appeared to have track marks and swollen hands typically associated with narcotic use and needles. Officer Meyer then asked her when the last time she used and her reply was “yesterday.” He then observed on the floor, a cap to a hypodermic needle. He then asked her where her kit was and she removed a kit from her purse with several items of drug paraphernalia. She was placed under arrest. Another woman was asked the same questions; she pulled out a pipe with residue from her pocket. She was placed under arrest as well. All other parties were released from the scene. Warrant Friday 23:07 hours Officer Nick Gorgos was advised by dispatch that there was a disorderly male and female at a local gas station that were arguing, throwing items on the floor and then the male left in a truck while the female walked out. Upon arrival, the gas station employee said that the female was the problem and the male was trying to diffuse the problem. Gorgos found the female walking toward Highway 55 and Mendota Heights Road. When he asked her what the problem was, she replied she was sick of the male being rude and disrespectful towards her. She said that when the store employee told them they needed to leave, she threw her donuts on the floor and left. Gorgos soon found an outstanding warrant issued from Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office for her. She was then arrested for the warrant and transported to the Dakota County Jail. DWI Sunday 15:23 hours Officer Bobby Lambert responded to an address on a check the welfare. The RP stated that a male had been asleep behind the wheel in the traffic lane for the past ten minutes. Lambert went to the location of the vehicle to find a male asleep behind the wheel and the engine running. Lambert was able to wake him verbally and when the man woke up, he witnessed bloodshot, watery eyes and an odor of alcohol. When asked if he knew where he was, he replied “Savage.” He had trouble getting the car into park, and upon exiting the vehicle, he showed immediate signs of impairment. When male was asked if he had anything to drink, he stated, “I don’t do that.” He was then asked to perform field sobriety tests in which he did not pass; he was ultimately arrested for DWI and transported to Ramsey County Detox. 3 3 Ice Cream Cake Bandits Monday 12:02 hours Officer Todd Rosse responded to a Cold Stone Creamery on a theft report. Upon arrival, Officers were met by the store employee who stated there was a young juvenile male loitering in the store and when the employee went to the back for a few minutes, two cakes were found missing. The employee said the male had a container of cookies with him inside the store. Knowing it would be hard to carry two cakes and a container of cookies, four nearby trash cans were perused to look for the container with no luck. A couple of witnesses at the neighboring business saw a younger couple speed out of the parking lot and was able to obtain a person and vehicle description. Due to the description and possible direction of travel, Rosse notified the SRO at the high school to keep an eye out for the vehicle or any suspects eating cake. Theft of Gas Monday 11:05 hours Officer Bobby Lambert was dispatched to a local gas station on a theft of gas report. Upon arrival, he was met by the store employee who stated a white Honda SUV pumped $29.29 of gas and left without paying. The vehicles plate number came back as a Chrysler Town and Country minivan that was flagged “Held for Resale” by Fury Motors with a vehicle owner listed out of North St. Paul. Lambert was able to view video surveillance to get a suspect description. Under investigation. Minor Liquor Possession Monday 11:20 hours While on duty at Henry Sibley High School, School Resource Officer Jennifer Fordham was advised that there was a student possibly under the influence of prescription drugs while in school. The student stated he was given an unknown pill from a friend and released the name of the friend. He was located by the Assistant Principal and was found asleep in class and very hard to wake up. He was escorted to the office and admitted to taking a Zoloft and Adderall and denied taking anything else. A water bottle with a brown substance, that of whiskey, was found in his backpack. He then admitted to taking a Xanax, giving two to his friends and to possessing alcohol. He denies consuming any alcohol and a PBT did confirm that. The student was given school discipline for the possession of alcohol and being under the influence of a drug at school and issued a citation for Liquor-Possession by Person Under 21. Juvenile Assault Monday 12:46 hours Officers Bobby Lambert and Todd Rosse responded to a local middle school on an after the fact weapons call. Officers were met by the Assistant Principal who stated a juvenile male asked another juvenile male to try and sell some fake marijuana he had hidden inside a 5 Hour Energy. The male was not interested in selling it so he placed it in his locker. A short while later at recess, the two males along with another, got into a verbal argument, name calling and then the male who wanted the marijuana sold, pulled out a switch blade from his pocket and threatened them with it. The male had threatened to harm himself in the office while with his parents. His parents said he has been misbehaving and needs help. The male was suspended and may possi- bly be expelled due to the weapon offense. The bullying is also being addressed by the school. Case was for- warded to the Dakota County Attorney’s office for possible charges and to Child Protection for review. 4th Degree DUI Tuesday 00:19 hours Officer Nick Gorgos was on patrol when he observed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed: 81 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. Officer Gorgos pulled the vehicle over and noticed the driver showed signs of being intoxicated including an open 9 pack of beer. Officer Gorgos performed a series of sobriety tests on the suspect and a preliminary BAC with a result of 0 .19. Officer Gorgos arrested the suspect for DWI. 4 4 02/06—02/12 2015 YTD Calls for Service 94 666 Citations 9 53 Warnings 11 40 Police Reports 17 109 Response Time Average 4.83 5.35 Check out the MH Crime Map! Click below to search your neighborhood: https://www.raidsonline.com 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 8 WAYS TO L VE YOUR HEALTH ON VALENTINE’S DAY 1. Treat yourself and loved ones to a healthy meal that includes fruits and vegetables. 2. Plan an activity that encourages physical fitness. Regular physical fitness can help control weight, reduce your risk of heart disease and increase your chance of living longer. Adults need 2.5 hrs. of activity each week 3. If you smoke, quit smoking. 4. Celebrate American Heart Month. At least 200,000 deaths from heart disease and stroke each year are preventable. 5. Learn the most common symptoms of a heart attack. Call 9-1-1 immediately if symptoms occur. 6. Prevent the spread of germs by washing your hands and avoiding contact with someone who is sick. 7. Limit alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that harm your health. 8. Don’t let Valentine’s Day plans stress you out. Learn to cope with stress and engage in health activities including getting enough sleep. If you are a Mendota Heights resident and you are going out of town or on vacation, you can notify MHPD of your outing and we will be more than happy to keep a watchful eye on your home while you are away. The House Check Request online form is available on our website; you can complete a form found in our lobby, or simply give us a call and we’ll help you out. MHPD offers monthly Car Seat Safety Checks. To schedule an appointment, call 651.452.1366 to contact Ofϐicer Jennifer Fordham. MHPD has a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of the PD where Dakota County residents can safely and anonymously dispose of their prescription drugs and over‐the‐counter medication. Please send us your positive feedback on our staff to: pdrecords@ mendota-heights.com Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps boost the morale of our staff. HAVE A SAFE WEEK!