13 Local Students Participate In Le Mars Junior Police Academy
(Le Mars) — 13 students from Le Mars Community and Gehlen Catholic are learning a little about law enforcement and the Le Mars Police Department as they participate in the Junior Police Academy. The Junior Police Academy was held on Saturday, and as Assistant Police Chief Justin Daale explains, the program was modeled after the Citizens Academy.
Daale says interested students had to complete an application, as well as write a short essay. He says many of the students have indicated an interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement.
The Junior Police Academy encompasses six hours on Saturday. During the morning session, the students saw a demonstration of how to properly assess an active crime scene.
The students also used a plaster cast to lift footprints from mud, sand, or other surfaces. The Junior Police Academy students were then given a demonstration by both the Le Mars Police Department and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office on how to investigate an auto vehicle accident, including measuring skid marks, and determining the speed of the vehicle.
During the afternoon, the students were introduced to the Le Mars Police Department’s K-9 unit involving officer Bob Rohlmiller and his K-9 dog “Ace.”
The students will also be informed about the CERT program which is the strategic weapons and tactical unit which also involves the Plymouth County, Sioux County, and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Departments, along with the city of Cherokee Police Department. Assistant Police Chief Daale is hopeful the
interest level continues allowing the local police department to offer the junior academy class on an annual basis.
Jeneary Comments On The Charter School Bill
(Des Moines) — This last week the state legislature had what is referred to as its first funnel week, which means any bills to be considered need to be moved out of committee. Two of Governor Reynolds’ priorities fell short in the state legislature. Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars who represents Iowa House District 5 says there was a lot of misunderstanding and false statements
associated with a school charter bill that would allow parents to choose which school they want their children to attend.
The Republican state representative says the bill would not have affected any Plymouth County schools. He says people had the wrong idea of how the bill’s actions would affect schools, both private and public schools.
Jeneary offers his thoughts and comments as to how the situation should have played out.
State Senator Taylor Wants To See “Cold Case Unit” Back At the DCI
(Des Moines) — It has been several years since the Division of Criminal Investigation has had a cold case unit based at its headquarters, but Iowa State Senator Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center would like to see the unit re-instated. Taylor, a Republican, says he has introduced a bill that would start up again the cold case unit, or an investigation team that would specifically investigate those cases from years gone by that remain unsolved.
Taylor says the unit needs to be re-introduced to help victims and their families, as well as to arrest perpetrators from crimes of the past.
The State Senator acknowledges some problems may exist in getting the bill passed…mainly finding the money to pay for the program.
