|
City of Kearney |
|
|
|
|
|
2025
Ave. A |
Click here to
visit web site |
|
The Kearney Police Department is a dynamic and modem law enforcement agency. The department services a community of approximately 30,000 people which includes the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The community has a modest crime rate and the department maintains a crime clearance rate well above the national average. The department is allotted 40 sworn positions and 12 non-sworn positions and is divided into two divisions, Operations and Services. The Operations division is commanded by a Captain and includes all sworn personnel assigned to Patrol and Investigations as well as the Community Service function. The Services division is also commanded by a Captain and includes Records, Staff Services, Evidence and Property as well as Computer Services. Other functions include Emergency Management and the Victim/Witness Unit. The department is located at 2025 Avenue A in downtown Kearney. The facility houses both the Kearney Police as well as the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department. This co-located facility was opened in June of 1993 and is a model for inter-governmental cooperation throughout Nebraska and the Central States. The City of Kearney owns the facility and services are offset by each agency to avoid duplication and additional expense to the taxpayer. The Patrol Unit provides 24 hour, 7 day a week coverage utilizing three shifts. Each shift is commanded by a Sergeant and assisted by a Corporal. The department uses a three-beat or district system of assignment and employees are assigned specific geographic areas of the community for a minimum of 12 weeks. The employees rotate through the three shifts every 12 weeks as well. Each beat or district has oversight by a Corporal who coordinates service by Patrol personnel within that beat or district. Investigative Services are provided by a staff of 7 and include D.A.R.E. officers assigned to both the elementary and middle schools. A Sergeant, who is aided by a Corporal commands the Unit. The Corporal has oversight over Proactive Police Projects, the School Truancy Program and Youth Crime investigations. Records Services consist of a Clerk Supervisor and 5 full time staff. Evidence and Property are managed by a Community Service Officer, who works 1/2 time in this function and 1/2 time in the Records Services Unit at the Service Window. A Sergeant manages the Staff function. The Sergeant is responsible for departmental training as well as equipment replacement and repair. The Sergeant is also charged with completed staff work and the oversight of the Records Unit, Evidence and Property as well as Interns on a daily basis. A civilian employee manages the Computer Services Unit with oversight by the Services Division Captain. The department utilizes a modern computer system and a law enforcement enterprise system that includes centralized automation. The department provides services to the Buffalo County Corrections Center, the Buffalo County Attorney's Office, Mobile Data Computing in all marked vehicles as well as maintaining computerized systems within the facility. The Computer Services manager also maintains the Records Management and Computer Aided Dispatch systems used by the department. Emergency Management is a function of the department as well. This is a co-managed function by both the City of Kearney as well as Buffalo County. The Emergency Manager is a city employee, who answers to a joint committee made up of the Police Chief, Buffalo County Sheriff, a member of the County Board, the City Manager and a member at large from Buffalo County. The Emergency Manager is responsible for preparedness and training for first responders throughout Kearney and Buffalo County. The Victim/Witness Unit provides direct services to the citizens of Kearney and Buffalo County. The Unit also provides services indirectly by mail and telephone to 8 surrounding counties. The Unit consists of a Director and two part-time staff. This group provides direction and information to victims or witnesses to crimes and pro- vides a variety of services as needed. |
|
