The 2003 recipients of the James Trudeau Law Enforcement Award are Officers Kelly McCarthy and Dale Hager of the Lino Lakes Police Department. This annual award honors a licensed law enforcement officer for service or activities related to youth.
To be eligible, police officers must live or work in the Youth Service Bureauís primary service area, which includes the Forest Lake Area and Chisago County, be a positive role model for youth, break down barriers between youth and adults, and show enthusiasm, leadership, generosity and service to youth above and beyond job duties.
Traditionally this award is given to an individual officer, but this yearís recipients come as a team.
Officers McCarthy and Hager have been employed by Lino Lakes Police Department for four years and both are currently working in the Investigative Division. During her time with Lino Lakes Police Department, Office McCarthy has received extensive training in the area of narcotics and has attended the Drug Enforcement Administrationís two-week Basic Narcotics course. McCarthy is also a Field Training Officer, Defensive Tactics Instructor and member of the National Drug Enforcement Officerís Association.
Officer Hager began his law enforcement career by working for the Northwest Narcotics Task Force based in Williston, North Dakota. Hager worked both in an undercover capacity as well as in the investigative unit. He is a certified D.A.R.E. officer and a member of the National Drug Enforcement Officers Association, Minnesota D.A.R.E. Officerís Association, and the Minnesota Juvenile Officerís Association.
Through their work with the department, McCarthy and Hager identified a knowledge gap between officers, juveniles, and parents regarding illicit narcotics.
In response to this, McCarthy and Hager developed a drug recognition class for parents and professionals. During this class, participants are allowed to handle various items of drug paraphernalia and are shown examples of narcotics. For the past two years, McCarthy and Hager have given numerous hours of their personal time in presenting their class for professional organizations and parent groups around the state.
Their dedication to professionalism and commitment to community are key factors in the success of their drug recognition class.
Participants of the class say it is very informative as well as thoroughly entertaining. Their team teaching approach and informal style encourage group discussion and allow participants to feel comfortable asking questions. McCarthy and Hagerís skill at including stories from their work as relevant examples contribute to the learning of class participants. Even those who felt they were familiar with street drugs admit that they gained valuable knowledge through the presentation.
The award is named after James Trudeau, past Sheriff of Washington County and founding board member of the Forest Lake Area Youth Service Bureau. Trudeau works for the Minnesota Sheriffís Association.
Officers McCarthy and Hager will be recognized at the YSBís Annual Service to Youth Recognition Event on March 4th at the Scandia Community Center.
The public is invited to attend. Tickets for youth and adults are $10 each and the ticket price includes dinner. Call 651-464-3685 for more information. RSVP deadline is February 23, 2004.
To arrange for a ticket to the Annual Service to Youth Recognition Event, please call the Youth Service Bureau at 651-464-3685.
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