FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LABOR COUNCIL LODGE #1 SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA April 24th, 2018 The “Precinct Focused Policing” proposal brought forth by Sioux Falls mayoral candidate Jolene Loetscher has been a contentious topic in recent debates. In a television campaign ad in support of her proposal, Ms. Loetscher speaks of this plan as being “supported by local law enforcement” while footage of the Sioux Falls Law Enforcement Center is shown in the background during the ad. During her initial press conference about this, she stood side by side with a South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper and a local Federal Investigator for the Social Security Administration. This continued statement “supported by local law enforcement” is misleading. The Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council Lodge #1 Sioux Falls (FOPLC) represents all Sioux Falls Police Department Officers and Sergeants. At no point was input from the FOPLC sought out in regard to this proposal. While we recognize that we will not always agree with a mayor’s view points on all matters, we certainly feel it would have been prudent for the input of our officers to be considered prior to such a sweeping proposal being presented which affects so many in our membership and our community. The FOPLC executive board and its membership has several concerns with this “Precinct Focused Policing” proposal as it has been presented. This proposal has been called a solution to some of our space needs. It would be prudent to let the public know that the City of Sioux Falls has employed a consultant to provide guidance and expertise on addressing some of these future needs. This consultant sought advice from Sioux Falls Police Officers during their evaluation of our facilities. The results of this study will be reviewed in the near future and should be considered prior to any proposal coming forward by either candidate. The FOPLC is also concerned about the costs in implementing these four (4) precincts, and ask would the associated costs better serve the public versus additional training, equipment for the officers, and additional staffing? Another concern of the FOPLC is will these precincts be equipped with facilities necessary for operations? The FOPLC does not believe this is a budget neutral endeavor. Our current district based deployment model already serves the purpose of Ms. Loetscher’s proposal as we currently have 28 districts or “beats” within boundaries of Sioux Falls. Each of these beats has multiple officers assigned to it, and they focus their patrols within these beats ensuring adequate coverage across the city. This district based deployment model also serves the citizens in that the same officers will work the same area so that they will become a familiar point of contact in that beat. This is accomplished while officers are mobile, ensuring that they are continually patrolling our community 24 hours a day. Creating an environment where these officers are stationary rather than mobile will decrease the presence of law enforcement in our neighborhoods. We must be clear in our statement that the current proposal of “Precinct-Based Policing” is something that is not supported by our membership within the Sioux Falls Police Department. The FOPLC is made up of some of the finest members in law enforcement. We have worked hard to earn the respect and the trust of the citizens of Sioux Falls. This great partnership we have with the community is something we are very proud of and will strive to make even better. We stand united as a membership, with our leadership, and with our community in continuing to ensure we have the finest law enforcement services available. Respectfully, Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council Lodge #1 Sioux Falls