Editor’s Note: This is the final part in a twopart series featuring local law enforcement and their takes on the field.
Over the past 10 years, law enforcement has changed, and with almost every job, being in law enforcement has its pros and cons.
TECHNOLOGY
Technology advancements have vastly made a difference for officers, making things more efficient. The downfall, however, is when that technology fails or becomes too expensive.
From his more than 40 years in law enforcement, Clay County Sheriff Jeff Franklin said changes with technology have been huge, and often challenging for him personally.
When he started, officers didn’t have PC units in their vehicles or cell phones at the ready.
“Now, they have so much more capability,” Franklin said. “Radio technology changed; we didn’t have handhelds or telephones. I had a bag phone my first two years I was sheriff.”
Clay County Sheriff’s Deputy Kreighton Baxter added how now they have apps on their phones that allow them to communicate with other agencies throughout the state.
“It works really, really good, but the downfall is you need service to make it work,” Baxter said.
Incidents like the major winter storm that hit Clay County in late March served as a reminder of how dependent certain services are on technology and the internet.
“We can’t function if the power goes out like it did with that snowstorm,” Franklin said. “We had power because of a generator, but our phone and computer systems relied on the internet to work, so most everything was down.”
Technology from Sutton Officer Edgar Sandoval’s point of view, has a lot of pros.
Everything from issuing e-citations instead of paper, to using drones for certain aspects, technology has helped streamline how officers do their job, Sandoval, who has been in law enforcement since 2018, said.
However, keeping up with current technology can be expensive, but overall worth the cost, he said.
“Technology is expensive and talking to smaller city councils and getting them to invest in technology can be difficult to justify the price.”
Some of that technology includes having body cameras and tasers to keep officers safer; however, body cameras also foster public trust and transparency.
“Audio and video doesn’t lie,” he said, adding, “the best technology is body cams for sure.”
The cost factor has been a challenge for Harvard Police Chief Wayne Alley and Harvard Officer Cristhian Gabriel.
“We haven’t been able to adapt to the newest technology we should be using,” Gabriel said.
“Partly because of funds,” Alley added. “We’re lucky to have what we have.”
Being a small-town department, the two said they’re unable to obtain the latest advancements in technology, which they wouldn’t call a negative side, but they don’t see an equal level of adaptability between their department and others.
Alley explained how many people’s perceptions are if something happens, the Harvard PD will be able to act immediately with all the resources those people see of officers on television.
“We don’t have the technology or resources— they expect us to do the impossible, but we’re limited to our budget and if the council doesn’t want to spend the money, our hands are tied,” he said. Technology in general, not just advancements for PD, means more eyes on officers and different crimes. “It’s [social media] been more used so we have to be more aware of that,” Gabriel said. Alley added, “I’ve noticed people’s perception of law enforcement was a lot better when I got in than it is now. I graduated the academy after
9/11, and a lot more people liked the cons back then.” “It has its pros and cons. Social media can be beneficial to law enforcement, but it can also be just as detrimental,” Gabriel said. Technology has increased criminal activity just by using a phone.
“There’s a lot of scams, especially with the elderly,” Baxter said.
“We’ve had a lot of ‘you missed jury duty’ scams or ‘you’ve got bond,’ or ‘you’ve been looking at bad stuff on your computer, so we’re going to have the sheriff come pick you up.’ They don’t call you, they don’t ask for gift cards...and if you open whatever they send you [through text or email], you’re downloading malware. It’s all a scam,” Franklin added.
TRAINING
Every year, officers are required by the state to have 32 hours of continuing education, some of which have required topics, such as implicit bias training and anti-bias training, to make sure officers are fair and impartial; de-escalation; mental health; and substance abuse.
Other training can be on topics of an officer’s choosing, but all of the training come with a cost.
“Law enforcement training is a business, so it’s expensive and there’s not much in the budget to do many of them,” Gabriel said.
“We have to do a lot of training online,” Alley said.
The Harvard PD has been working with the City of Harvard to create a budget specifically designated for training.
Due to a system set in place prior to Alley and Gabriel joining the Harvard PD, officers have had to present a training they want to attend to the city council for approval.
“And the council doesn’t really know what law enforcement needs to do, but right now have a buffer that makes it difficult to get the training we want,” they explained.
Training can cost anywhere from $500 to more than $1,000 after the initial cost of the training, motel rooms, and food. Having a yearly budget set between $10,000 and $15,000 can give Harvard PD the option to attend in-person trainings.
Since Baxter moved into more of an administrative position, he’s worked on making sure deputies, communities, and schools are trained and prepared for anything.
“Kreighton took a proactive charge on making sure all of the schools and officers are on the same page and working together in knowing the drills, school safety, and making sure deputies are involved,” Franklin said. “I see that as important for the future of law enforcement. Knowing what you’ve got to do when you get there and being prepared.”
A person’s body won’t go where their mind has never been, so CCSO works to get deputies into the mindset of handling all types of situations.
“It’s constantly training your mind to go somewhere new and do different things,” he said.
In terms of training officers can choose, CCSO allows deputies to attend training they’re interested in doing.
Baxter said it doesn’t make sense to send deputies to a child crime training if they want to focus on DUI, plus, there’s the option of instructors where deputies learn about and become instructors on topics. This allows them to come back and teach others in the department.
WHYTHEY STAY
Despite the stress, the sometimes long days, and calls that stay with them, these officers stay in law enforcement.
For some, they love their job simply because they get to work with, and help others.
“I enjoy helping the public and enjoy fostering a great relationship between the public and local law enforcement—and making a difference,” Sandoval said.
For Gabriel, despite everything, he enjoys the profession.
“I enjoy helping people, and a little bit lately, if I leave, I don’t know if there’s a high possibility of someone to substitute me as a small-town officer.”
Alley mentioned one of his reasons for staying in law enforcement is his family, while his other reasons center on a lifelong want to help others.
“I don’t know what else I would do because I’ve done it my whole life, and I know what I’m doing, and, not to toot my own horn, but I’m good at it,” Alley said. “When I was younger, I wanted to help people who couldn’t help themselves.”
For others, while they do enjoy helping others, they also enjoy the unknown aspect law enforcement has to offer.
“I stay in law enforcement because of the never knowing what you’ll be doing. Also, when someone calls you for help, knowing you have the ability and tools to actually help them,” Sutton Police Chief Tracey Landenberger said.
Baxter also enjoys the unknown, saying “I enjoy the challenge; there’s something new every day. To an extent, people in law enforcement like the unknown. It’s fun and rewarding at times, and extremely difficult at others.”
“I love the career, love working with communities, and working with kids. It’s the camaraderie. I love the opportunity to teach deputies, and love the challenges and learning new things,” Franklin said.
SUPPORT & FINAL THOUGHTS
Of everything county law enforcement talked about, support from communities was a big item.
Talking with people—even those in trouble—is something Landenberger said he’s good with and something, for the most part, he enjoys about his job.
“We love Clay County, there’s so much potential here, it’s just a matter of utilizing it,” Baxter said. “I also enjoy having time to get out in the community and being in the schools and working with kids.”
For Harvard’s officers, they want to make the best of what Harvard has to offer, and hope one day to work out of a larger, more efficient office—compared to the 19X12 foot office they currently work out of—and continue serving their community.
“I like working in Sutton,” Sandoval said. “They’re really supportive here of the police department...I appreciate the support from the public and those who support us in getting the things we need. Support keeps us going as a whole. It’s not easy dealing with unpleasant situations and individuals, so the support we do get, goes a long way in keeping us motivated in doing our jobs.”
