The Springfield Township trustees have appointed Lucas County sheriff’s deputy Aalea Robertson as the resource officer for the newly created township police department.
Deputy Robertson is the first law enforcement official to join the department which is being organized this year by the trustees and the Lucas County sheriff’s office following voter approval in May of a 4.2-mill, five-year levy. The levy will generate $2.9 million per year for a police force dedicated to meeting needs of township residents.
She has an extensive background in criminal justice, serving with the sheriff’s department for the past six years. The officer has an associate degree in criminal justice from Owens Community College, a bachelor’s degree in justice administration from Tiffin University and a master’s in organizational leadership from Lourdes University.
Officer Robertson remains employed by the sheriff’s department through the end of 2022 and will begin to draw her salary from the township police department in January 2023.
In an August 19 interview, the officer spoke about plans she has for introducing the department to residents.
First and foremost in her mind is openness. “I want to be as transparent as possible,” she said.
Continued from page 1 Toward that end, she, in conjunction with area businesses, will host Coffees with a Cop on a quarterly basis. The first one, she hopes to do this fall at Biggby’s on Spring Meadows Drive West.
“It’s an informal setting where residents can come to chat with us,” she explained, adding they can ask questions about the new department or express any concerns they may have.
Officer Robertson also will provide updates to residents with a regular feature in the Holland-Springfield Journal.
To see how the department is faring with the community, she plans to conduct a community survey annually. Among the items it will gauge is response time, officers’ performance, concerns and demographics.
She also is looking at creating a community crime map which would show residents the incident that transpired, officers’ responses and how effective the department was. “We want people to see our transparency,” she said.
One program she is particularly excited about is a citizens police academy to be offered in the first quarter of 2023. The officer hopes to have registration for the academy posted online in December.
Attendees will learn various aspects of law enforcement, tour the jail, study crisis de-escalation, use a shoot/don’t shoot simulator, and learn about the criminal justice system.
In addition to working with adults, Officer Robertson, who is currently serving a dual role as one of Springfield Local Schools resource officers, works with young drivers. She believes it is important for them to understand what to do when pulled over by an officer for a potential traffic violation.
She reminds them that just as they are nervous, the situation can prove tense for the officer, especially if there is any movement inside the car. “Keep your hands on the wheel,” she advises. Officer Robertson noted preventative education “is the key so you don’t get into trouble down the road.” That said, she pointed out officers understand there are times when drivers may not feel comfortable pulling over in a dark or poorly lit area and advises motorists to proceed slowly to an area that is better lit or more public. As she gears up for next year, Officer Robertson also is attending chamber of commerce meetings and Springfield Schools and community events to meet with residents and familiarize them with herself and the new police department. Residents can look for her at the upcoming preschool trick or treat on October 28 and Happy Holland Days on December 3. Configuration of the police department remains a work in progress, but current plans call for three officers in 12-hour shifts working around the clock, plus a sergeant and herself. Their office–located behind the township administrative building and shared with the Holland-Springfield Chamber of Commerce–will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning in January.
In addition to officers, Springfield will have a full complement of resources through the sheriff’s department, including the detective division for investigative work. “It’s all encompassing. I’m excited for it,” she concluded.
~Jane Maiolo
