Some of the main new culprits that police suspect will be of great help this year are not human, though.

In fact, some of them have perhaps better noses than they do eyes and ears. Others are literally machines.

New canines

The newest member of Fort Dodge’s finest, added late in 2019, is Draco.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Fort Dodge Police School Resource Officer Bryce Presswood demonstrates safe bike handling technique during the annual Summer Safety Picnic in Loomis Park.

At about 100 pounds and 3 feet tall when sitting, Draco is one of the smaller members of the Fort Dodge Police Department, but potentially one of the strongest with skills humans can’t achieve.

The 15-month-old German shepherd dog — born in Germany — is the canine replacement for Abram, who retired from the force around June 2019.

The Police Department is hoping Draco will be ready for action by next spring after further training and certification. He will be the second dog currently serving in town with his handler, Officer Jacob Naatz. The department’s other canine, Voodoo, serves with Sgt. Paul Samuelson.

The department expects Draco to be able to serve until about age 9.

The dual-purpose pup will be trained for obedience, article recovery, building searches, suspect apprehension, officer protection and detection of nine different narcotics.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Gabriel Joseph, 7, of Fort Dodge, works to get out of the heavy tactical gear he was trying on at the National Night Out event on the City Square.

With a powerful nose that smells layers of items out of sight from humans, he will be able to assist in on-site drug detection to secure search warrants for vehicles during traffic stops, as well as anything officers need to find that may be contaminated by human scent.

Canines are trained to give a passive response, sitting down, when something is detected.

Police canines are often selected for their active drive and pleasant disposition.

“If you test a 1- or 2-year-old dog, you’ll see everything right there,” said Samuelson. “All I do is look for its drives. They don’t want to sit still.”

Police Chief Roger Porter said that individuals and businesses in the community have shown a lot of enthusiasm in helping to hire the new officer.

Camera program

FDPD is also looking forward to getting their Community Camera Program further off the ground.

The Community Camera project, launched in September, allows homeowners and business owners with surveillance cameras installed on their property to register with the FDPD to let authorities know they’re willing to help if footage of the area is needed.

With surveillance becoming more common in homes through innovative solutions such as cameras in doorbells, local police are making use of a program that has been launched in other larger areas across Iowa and the country.

“If it’s got video, we’re interested in it,” said Lt. Matt Lundberg.

The program will make their current efforts of going door to door to scour for houses and businesses with cameras more streamlined, said Porter. The new system will save police man hours and resources.

“There’s only 40 officers here, and a quarter of us are stuck in office space,” Porter said. “We definitely need the public’s help in solving these crimes.”

Those who register will be contacted only if footage from their system is needed for an investigation. Their participation in the program will remain confidential. Police are not able to gain remote access to camera systems and will still require the voluntary cooperation of camera owners to access footage at any given time. Owners are also free to opt out of the program at any time.

“Mainly it’s just opening the door so we know they have a camera and they’re willing to work with us,” Porter said.

Even for smaller crimes other than homicides and robberies, Detective Larry Hedlund said camera recordings can be invaluable in piecing together information and preventing crime in progress from continuing.

“It’s becoming more and more often,” that police rely on camera footage to solve crimes, Lundberg said. “You can probably (find a use for) it on a daily basis, anymore.”

Police ask those with cameras to regularly check their footage even if police don’t reach out to them. FDPD is willing to help give technical assistance to camera owners who know their footage has valuable information and are unable to access it themselves.

Those wishing to participate can fill out a registration form on fortdodgeiowa.org. From the home page, click on “Your Government” then “Police Department.” A logo for the Community Camera Program at the bottom of the page directs visitors to a link for the registration form.

Actual eyes and ears

But in the age of cameras and canines, cops on the street still remain the most valuable resource in keeping Fort Dodge safe and building lasting community relationships.

In 2020, Fort Dodge Police Department aims to beef up its joint Reserve program with the Webster County Sheriff’s Office — the only joint program in the state of Iowa.

The program, which currently has seven volunteers, is looking to bulk up the force as much as possible, up to 17 Reserve members.

“It’s a great way to be a part of the community and give a path to a career,” said Sheriff Jim Stubbs.

While some in Iowa use the reserves as a training ground and stepping stone into full-time law enforcement, many volunteers choose to give their time not for a career payoff, but simply to give back.

“They’re the one thing we have that we like to brag about because we have a working relationship with the county,” said Porter. “We’re in the rebuilding process for (the Reserve.) That’s something we’ve been excited about.”

Porter said the people will start to see Reserve officers — in either the tan or black uniform — at more public events this year, emphasizing how valuable of an asset they are for the department.

“We’ve always had the reserves, but it’s one of those things where it’s been underutilized,” he said. “We realize they’re a force multiplier.”

As the department searches for more citizens that want to partner with the department, FDPD celebrates the Reserve members they have as a valuable resource.

The nature of the program’s interaction with the public has evolved over the decades Porter has served on the Police Department.

“You didn’t (used to) see a lot of community-type interaction,” he observed, noting that Reserve presence has made law enforcement’s community relations efforts more cohesive. “They’re another voice out there for law enforcement.”

They’re an invaluable organization whose involvement has only increased over his tenure, he added.

As law enforcement departments across the country face a decline in applications for both paid and volunteer work due to a variety of factors, Fort Dodge and Webster County have started to look at the program as a hiring tool.

Porter estimates that the department only receives a handful of Reserve applications each year — something the program would like to see change.

“It takes a lot of commitment,” he said. “You’re not making wages, you’re not getting benefits. You’re doing it because you want to help. It’s a huge commitment.”

But for the right person, the personal sacrifice is a worthy endeavor, rewarding a mentality of public service that no amount of cash can compensate.

Revamping programs and adding new ones

Starting in 2020, some kids making mistakes early in life will be given a second chance.

A diversion program being finalized this year in partnership with the city of Fort Dodge, the juvenile court, Fort Dodge Community School District and Athletics for Education & Success will help get kids who have committed simple misdemeanors back on the right track.

“Essentially, it’s trying to give them a second chance,” said Porter.

In lieu of a criminal charge that goes on their adult record, kids who successfully complete the program can get back on track to growing up to be productive adults. With the agreement of all parties involved, first-time offenders of less serious crimes can participate in a restorative program that will keep them out of the vicious cycle many offenders find themselves in after their first conviction.

FDPD is also working to revamp programs like its Citizens Academy, finding more times and different ways to connect with the community.

“We’re trying to do little things … that are inexpensive but allow the public to talk and interact and express concerns for an hour,” Porter said. “Community relations is something we’re big on and we’re planning on continuing that in the next year.”