Police car rides provide eye-opening experience

by MaryAnne Block

news@thenewsleaders.com

Bright lights, strobe lights and a siren noise – even a faster heart rate – do not necessarily equal fame and fortune, at least not for the people being stopped for a traffic violation.

Heart rate can also pick up before calling for police assistance, whether for an accident or domestic abuse or reassurance about a potential fraud situation. People know in whom they can trust when it comes to safety in all manner of settings, and that is the St. Joseph police.

This Newsleaders reporter recently had the chance to ride in squad cars (in the front seat) with three police officers on each of their shifts. The officers are Dan Pfannenstein, Anthony Milostan, Reece Riegel. They graciously shared a couple hours of their 10-hour shifts to provide first-hand glimpses of what their work entails.

Each of the ride-longs was scheduled by St. Joseph Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein for differing times so the reporter could experience day time, day-to-evening and night scenarios. The city looks so different at night, even though the street signs still bear the same names in the light as in the dark.

Each officer has his own story of how he chose law enforcement, yet each is extremely glad to be working in St. Joseph with the police “family” of co-workers and for the city he proudly serves.

Milostan grew up in the Twin Cities, Pfannenstein in St. Joseph and Riegel in a small rural Minnesota town. Such varied upbringings can induce varying viewpoints that enhance one another’s personalities, strengths and interests. Yet each of them had similar training and follow the same protocols for providing public service.

Pfannenstein started with the volunteer Stearns County Explorer program for young people ages 15 to 19 to be introduced to some aspects of police work. A stint in the Minnesota National Guard followed. The other two started in college – Riegel studying English, Milostan studying pharmacology. Yet each man finally gravitated to his ultimate calling in life – law enforcement. Each officer worked in other settings before transferring to St. Joseph.

One of the first things to learn is the layout of the city. Each officer emphasized this since he must know in a heartbeat (sometimes literally) his location and where to request backup in the event of possible flight of suspects. Each street must be clear in their mind, whether during daylight or the dark of night.

The outline of the city-limit line is unique in St. Joseph, often bordering on the other side of a street or a county road with areas in three neighboring jurisdictions: St. Cloud, rural Stearns County, even a bit of Waite Park.

Ongoing training is a must, mostly online, for all of the officers. They study and take tests about such topics as legal issues, human behaviors, dealing with juveniles, how to de-escalate dangerous situations, among many other topics.

Each squad car comes with a medical bag as a police officer is often the first on scene (thus, sometimes dubbed “ditch doctor”). The medical bag allows the officer to apply basic first-aid until further help arrives at the scene.

Glucose is included in the bag, but generally the emergency medical technicians arrive before glucose is actually given. Oxygen, including adult and pediatric masks, and even Narcan is carried on board. Both oxygen and Narcan must be in places controlled for temperature and humidity, including in officers’ own homes after they complete a shift. Glucose is needed for injections if someone is suffering a diabetic reaction. Narcan is a quick-reverse drug in case of drug overdoses. An AED (automated external defibrillator) is also with each vehicle in case an officer encounters someone suffering sudden cardiac arrest.

Officers must make split-second decisions, like who and what support systems need to respond, location, which organizations must be notified, such as even railroad officials in case all train engines must be shut down in an area due to emergency. Back-up can be requested from area police departments, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, even the Minnesota State Patrol.

“Good police work truly takes a team,” Pfannenstein said, “and we have a great working relationship, like family, in our local police department and also with other law enforcement in the area.”

The amount and variety of computer capabilities in each squad car would be mind-boggling for the lay person. There are many communication channels, as well as the options for cruiser lights and learning to recognize specialized traffic-signal lights that are activated by various emergency vehicles, such as an ambulance.

Each officer decides his cruising routes, which vary all the time. An officer tries to be on hand at the end of the elementary school day to keep an eye out for any potential problems. Each area of the city is checked throughout their shifts as there are always at least two officers on duty during the night, and more are available during day-to-evening hours.

Some officers focus a bit more on traffic stops, even though each is constantly alert of possible infractions. Sometimes a ticket is issued, sometimes a warning, as nearly every licensed driver can relate to.

“We do not just stay in our squad cars,” Milostan said. “We also do foot patrols. We check to make sure business doors are locked, that construction sites are secure. Of course we check neighborhoods and homes as requested, too, whether by vehicle or on foot.”

When an officer starts with a particular situation, he is responsible to see it through to completion. That might be writing up a traffic stop, documenting a domestic disturbance and even more involved situations.

Just about every call imaginable is received. There are always reports of fraud, internet scams and phone scams. With the holidays approaching, those reports might increase, along with porch-pirate activity (people stealing packages from residents’ front steps, porches or decks).

The officers do such a variety of tasks and duties that it keeps their job interesting. Cruising, foot patrols, traffic stops, answering phone calls to domestic disturbances, thefts, traffic accidents, reports and court appearances. They also do their own investigations of cases they start. If they deem necessary, they can call in county, state and even federal special investigative teams for information or assistance.

Sergeants (supervisors) are always available for direction and suggestions and helping with intensely dangerous situations. If the need arises, other surrounding departments can be called in for special assistance. Each officer emphasized how law enforcement truly requires team work.

The officers each had a few words for the residents of St. Joseph.

Pfannenstein noted that police officers are people like anyone else.

“We are your neighbors,” he said. “We live here and our job just happens to be police work. But we are ordinary people, enjoy our work and want to do our best.”

Milostan said he tends to “decompress” during the drive home after a stressful shift.

“There is such a joy in this job,” he said. “Every day is different and that is good.”

Riegel said officers always view public safety as their top priority.

“I appreciate all the caring citizens of St. Joseph,” he said. “And for those traveling through who do not appreciate us because of our uniform, please know we still care about people and want to keep everyone safe.”

And to that, St. Joseph residents might well respond, “Well done, officers!”