The Portage Police Department works hard to protect and serve the Portage community. The department consists of 61 officers, with 12 reserves. The reserves are made up of community members, truck drivers, electricians, Portage school staff, and more, who volunteer their time to give back to the community. The department also has 4 K-9 units, officers with canine partners used in tracking situations.
The STOP team is also another part of the department. This aggressive patrol team’s primary mission is to stop the problem of the day, focusing all their efforts on the major issue. The STOP team works with the Porter County Drug Unit and the FBI GRIT force through surveillances, drug busts, arrests, and other enforcement matters. Last year, the team made 69 arrests, confiscating various illegal drugs. The team also often visits Portage Township Schools to engage students and “give them a first hand, positive experience with the police,” states Chief Mark Becker, as well as fingerprint the kids.
The department is committed to community outreach, often making door-to-door neighborhood trips, introducing the public to those who serve them, developing their trust. “In order for us to move forward, we need the public’s backing,” states the Chief. Officers can often be found handing out information, connecting with the community. Chief Becker also distributes his “Chief’s Email”, an update on crime and useful tips to ward off incidents, reaching over 1,000 people across 8 different states. This notification system has come in useful in solving cases, most recently a case involving several home invasions in which a suspect was identified in a photo by one subscriber. The suspect has since been apprehended and has been compliant in providing information on other suspects. For those interested in joining the “Chief’s Email”, email Becker at mbecker@portage-in.com.
Another avenue of public outreach the department utilizes is the Citizens Academy. Around May, 15-20 people are invited to participate in a course that lets them see the ins and outs of the department, providing an intimate look at the Portage Police Department. 50 or so people have gone through these 10 weeks, becoming ambassadors for the department. “This has proven to be a good public relations avenue,” states Becker.
“Our mantra at the department is treat all those we encounter as we’d want our family members to be treated if found in the same situation,” said Becker. Officers enter a situation with that thought in mind, calm and composed. “If the situation has to escalate, then it does but we don’t go in with that attitude.” The crime rate is down about 5%, as a result of the aggressive mentality the department has taken on crime. As of January 20, over 1,000 traffic stops in 2011 have been made, versus 6,822 total in 2010, showing a proactive initiative on defeating crime. “It’s not about the revenue,” states Chief Becker, stressing that the stops help lead to arrests of wanted persons. “We issue more warnings than citations.” The Chief mentioned some of the hot spots for speeding violations are school zones in the morning and the Stone Ave construction zones, as those areas are watched extra carefully by the department. He encourages the public to watch their speed in those zones.
Cops for a Cure is one of the several fundraisers with which the department has been involved. They raised just under $19,000 to go towards the fight against breast cancer, in honor of Officer Flora Ryan, one of the department’s own who was diagnosed with breast cancer. The department is also looking to raise money to fund ballistic vests for their reserve officers, a $1,000 a piece cost that is not covered by federal grants, as well as replace their SWAT vests, a $5,000 a piece cost, and put more defibrillators in their vehicles. Donations are always accepted to the training and gift fund as well, money that keeps the officers in school and provides incentive awards, helping them serve the best they can.