January 14 , 2021 The Beacon • 15
Chief Fohl appreciates the community ’ s support
By Tara Gracyk
The West Lafayette Police Department got a new chief of police in June 2020 , Matthew Fohl . Fohl , who began his career in 1993 as an officer at the Richwood Police Department , has had approximately 28 years of lawenforcement experience .
Fohl said he has been fortunate to be able to do a variety of tasks throughout his years of service . He said he has served as a school resource officer , a field training officer , a sergeant and a canine officer . In addition , through the Marion County Sheriff ’ s Office , he served as a road patrol officer , as a detective with the drug task force and on the SWAT team before taking over as a SWAT team leader .
Since taking on the role of police chief in West Lafayette , Fohl has been working hard to make some changes . According to Fohl , the department had a lot of open shifts the sheriff ’ s office had to cover to assure the village of West Lafayette had law enforcement present . However , since becoming chief , Fohl has adjusted the shift schedules and added more personnel to the office , which has allowed the village to be covered at all times by the police department .
Because one of Fohl ’ s priorities as chief of police is effective communication , a mobile CAD system was added to the office , and computers were placed in each cruiser , allowing officers to have better communication , not just with each other , but also with the sheriff ’ s office . The computers and reporting system are now linked to the sheriff ’ s office , making it easier to collaborate .
In addition , all of the dispatching for the police department is now done
Submitted
The West Lafayette Police Department got a new chief of police in June 2020 , Matthew Fohl .
through the sheriff ’ s office . Dispatchers at the sheriff ’ s office answer the calls and are then able to dispatch pertinent information to an officer via phone or the computer . Officers also are able to be patched into a caller if needed .
“ I ’ m very adamant about keeping a good working relationship with the sheriff ’ s office ,” Fohl said . “ I ’ m going to do what I can do to make the department as good as it can be so we can provide services to the public and to create the best atmosphere I can for the officers .”
While some changes have occurred in Fohl ’ s short time as chief , some things are expected to take place by spring . For instance , the department will hopefully have a new vehicle added in February .
“ We are in the process of putting together a canine program right now ,” Fohl said .
A p p r o x i m a t e l y $ 25,000 is needed to make this happen . In an effort to help reach this goal , some fundraising has occurred , and some is being planned . Donations also are being accepted . Fohl is hopeful the funding will come in so a canine can be acquired and training can occur . The goal is to receive enough funding through fundraising and donations to send an officer for training in the spring . To make a donation or to assist with fundraising , call the office at 740-545-6324 .
“ I have two primary focuses right now . One is the drug problem , and a canine unit will help with that ,” Fohl said .
The chief ’ s second focus is on relationships and having good communication with the officers , the schools , the sheriff ’ s office and the community as a whole . “ I don ’ t ever want anyone to feel like there is a circumstance too small to get ahold of us about . We need the communication from the public ,” Fohl said .
However , Fohl said while he is looking forward to building relationships , the pandemic has made it very difficult to happen the way he would like . “ I want to get out and get active and do some community programs and get more involved with the schools , but I feel like I can ’ t get out to the public as much as I would like to right now . It ’ s hard to find a balance between being engaged and not being engaged because of the pandemic ,” Fohl said .
Despite the challenges of connecting with community members because of the pandemic , Fohl expressed feeling encouraged by the support he and the department have received . $ 40,000 worth of furniture was donated to the department , which will help make upgrades to the work spaces and village offices possible .
“ One of the most impressive things I ’ ve noticed since being here is how much support we get from the community and the county . With how things are nationally right now , the support we have received is a really big deal . We have to have the support of the community , and we have to do the right
things to gain and keep the support ,” Fohl said .
Accordingly , Fohl is anxious to hear from community members . “ I ’ m always going to be trying to move forward and trying to improve things , and I would love to hear input from community members . If anyone has an idea or something they would like to see change
or get done , I welcome the input ,” Fohl said .
And because Jan . 9 was National Law Enforcement Day , Fohl shared ways community members can show appreciation and support for lawenforcement personnel .
“ Honestly , what I like the most is to see the blue lights on the porches and appreciation signs in yards for first responders and law enforcement and the blue line flags . We see those when we are patrolling neighborhoods , and it lets us know that we are supported . I know I and other officers pick up on it right away . Probably all law enforcement does . It ’ s nice to see a visual display of appreciation for what we do ,” Fohl said .
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