Last week I was granted the opportunity to accompany one of our cities' finest police officers as a civilian "ride-along" for a portion of his shift. Being a City Council official, I have been interested in this for some time, but the department has been short staffed to allow this. Finally, Police Chief Ryan Walker was able to make the arrangement. I wanted to see first hand what an average shift was like for our law enforcement. This "average" shift was lots more than I expected and very enlightening to say the least.
I arrived in time for Chief Walker to show me around the station, explain some of the equipment, technology, and many other police related items that left me with a "deer in the headlight" expression I am sure. We have much state of the art equipment that was mind boggling to me, but everyday tools for the department.
Captain Chris Olson put a bullet proof vest on me and briefed me on the upcoming ride along. Sgt. Michael Lisenbee took me to his patrol car and continued briefing me on what the objective of the night would be, what to expect, how to react to certain situations should they occur, etc. In short, we were on our way to a drug raid. Five officers and our K-9 Napo were involved in the raid which was extremely well-orchestrated and thorough. It resulted in the apprehension of two individuals, drugs, etc. being removed from our streets, and these individuals charged and jailed. I even got to take them to jail to see the booking process. I don't recommend anyone be on that side of the jail, those people mean business!
What impressed me was how professional and detailed theofficers were. All worked in unison. Every one of them had a specific purpose and functioned as a team. They didn't miss a thing. Our K-9 and his handler Officer John Hicks, were on the scene and discovered additional hidden drugs which only a keen nose could locate. I just stood in awe of how efficient they were and the handling of the subjects apprehended. They were never discourteous to them, but very firm and professional in getting the information they needed without violating their rights in the process.
Visiting with Sgt. Lisenbee, I discovered that he had quite an extensive law enforcement background and knew things about the drug culture I had no idea even existed. He is a very talented and educated professional officer, a wealth of information as well as personable.
Back at the station, I watched as he and Lt. Eric Lyle processed and filed all the evidence from the raid. It was quite an extensive and tedious procedure. The reports were still to be written and I was out of time for this shift. I had the pleasure of visiting with Lt. Lyle and the other officers before I left and was impressed at the education, experience, dedication and devotion they have towards the safety of our residents and law enforcement of our ever growing city. They do a job very few of us could even attempt let alone master as these officers have. Modest as they all are, I am grateful that I had the opportunity and privilege to spend this fraction of time to know a few of them and their job a little better. It was an eye opener.
I look forward to more opportunities to know more about our officers and their responsibilities in the near future. I encourage other City Council members to join me in this endeavor to educate us all in their job functions, capabilities, needs, and future planning.
Our world and environment is an ever changing, and our law enforcement needs our full and total support. We are blessed with some very talented and diversified professionals on our police force, and I am personally and professionally very thankful for each and every one of them.
My thanks to Sgt. Lisenbee, Capt. Olson, Lt. Lyle, Officers Lira, Hicks and Napo, for a very educational, informative and safe "average" evening ride along. A very special thank you to Police Chief Walker for allowing me the opportunity to see first hand a portion of your command in action.
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Editor's note: This guest column is written by Bob Cottingham, Pea Ridge City Council member.
Editorial on 03/21/2018