SENIOR COALITION VISITS THE KEARNEY POLICE DEPARTMENT

On Tuesday, April 25th, the Senior Coalition toured Kearney Police Department and heard about recent community progress from Chief Bryan Waugh.

Currently, State Probation is working in the Mid-town Business Center building across from KPD. Eventually, they plan to relocate to the new County Administrative Office Building at 610 Central Avenue, formerly Black Hills Energy. This will make room for the Investigation Units to move across the street, along with possibly Civil Process and a garage for tactical equipment.

The Kearney Police Department is celebrating their 30th Anniversary at this location and plan to have an Open House during the Summer. National Police Week will be in May and includes a memorial service. The Service mainly honors the officers who recently made the ultimate sacrifice and pays tribute to all the fallen.

The license plate reader program is going well and has assisted in arrests of fugitives, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and locating stolen cars. Buffalo County is now in partnership with the program and can use the same information county-wide.

First responders just upgraded from UHF Radios to the new 800 MH radio systems. Chief Waugh said it's equivalent to switching from analog to digital phones. The new technology allows the capability of switching to encrypted channels when necessary. Kearney Public Schools also use the Emergency Rapid Radio System to alert first responders on a direct channel. This is unique because it won't get jammed with multiple frequencies or traffic. To learn more about the Kearney Police Department, check out their Facebook page!

Below are photos of the 911 dispatch center where emergency and non-emergency calls are processed; the extensive crime lab which is led by Officer Matt Young; the virtual simulator used for realistic scenario exercises; the evidence room used by both KPD and Buffalo County; the briefing room where daily assignments are given; the conference room with capacity of over 50 officers; and the lockers where equipment and large evidence is stored. The group was also able to see the Computer/Cell Phone Forensic Lab (not pictured), managed by Investigator Dan Warrington.