Column: Guest Column

Thursday we met two new officers and learned about their tasks in the Albert Lea Police Department. First we heard from Mary Schroader about her work as a community service officer and as one of the two people in charge of the evidence room. Then we met Detective Frank Kohl and learned about computer crimes.

 

Evidence room

As a curious person after hearing Schroader’s presentation all about the evidence room, I really want to get in there and see it. Too bad that’s impossible. Only Schroader and office Jason Taylor have access. Even thought the evidence room holds pieces for the Albert Lea Police Department, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, South Central Drug Investigation Unit and Alden Police Department, they are the only two souls with access.

While there are some unique pieces of evidence, like the tombstone from the 1800s police found someone had stolen or the evidence from murder trials, much of it probably wouldn’t interest anyone. Schroader said there are many bottles of liquor or beer that are evidence in DWI trials. There are also cabinets full of various weapons, bags with clothing pieces and DVDs with recordings from squad car cameras.

One interesting fact was that the department must keep evidence from murder, or other high-profile, trials until the person who committed the crime dies. That’s because years down the road they could appeal the trial.

The focus of Schroader’s presentation was how carefully evidence is maintained. Officers submit evidence into lockers that, once locked, cannot be open again unless by one of the evidence officers. All evidence is logged in a computer system and on paper. Schroader seals evidence into bags using tape that easily shows if it has been tampered with, and then gives officers a receipt showing time, date and contents.

They go to great lengths to maintain evidence because often it will be used in a trial, and they have to be able to prove they haven’t tampered with it since it was taken during the investigation.

Under certain conditions when evidence is no longer needed to be stored there are a number of options for officers. Some things are sold at auction or using online auction websites like www.minnbid.org. Other things the department will take to use like fancy drug scales or tools they’d never be able to afford otherwise; officers aren’t able to take anything for personal use.

Schroader said most of her time is taken up working with evidence, but she also has other duties. As the community service officer she settles neighborhood disputes, deals with refuse or trash problems and many other small tasks. Lt. Jeff Strom said she’s under-recognized as an asset to the department for the myriad tasks she does.

 

Computer crimes

Let me start this part of my column by saying I do not envy Det. Frank Kohl’s job, and that I am so thankful he and others do what they do so I and others don’t have to. And while I mean that for all officers, I am especially thankful for detectives like Kohl after he described his job. Kohl told us a little bit about his daily workload, which includes working with computer crimes but also includes investigating criminal sexual cases involving children and other abuse cases.

His presentation to our class focused on computer crimes against children, like predators and those who download child pornography. Kohl said most computer crimes target the very old and the very young because they’re most likely to trust strangers.

Kohl explained that investigating computer crimes is a relatively new task for the department, and that things began to get busy in 2008. From there it’s just exploded with more and more people having access to the Internet through more ways, like smartphones.

Our local police department often works with the FBI, the Department of Justice and the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force when investigating these crimes. Kohl said ICAC was formed because so many children were being exploited online, and one of its tenet is educating parents and youth about these crimes. Kohl does this continually, and this week will be at Southwest Middle School talking to classes of students about how to be safe online.

Kohl went on to explain that many predators prey on male children because they’re less likely to tell someone about abuse. He said it’s important to explain to children that anyone can be a pedophile, so they shouldn’t trust strangers online.

We also learned about “sexting” or text messaging nude photos and how no matter the age of the person that it’s a felony offense. Even teens or children who send or possess these photos can be convicted of possession of child pornography.

He followed up his presentation with some handy tips for people of all ages:

• Know who you’re communicating with

• Never send personal information to someone you don’t know

• Don’t post photos you wouldn’t show to your parents

 

Next week is our last class, and we’ll be learning about crime scene investigation. Then on May 14 we’ll attend a graduation ceremony in front of the Albert Lea City Council. Then the only step left is to make an appointment for a ride-along with an officer.

 

Kelli Lageson is the special projects editor at the Tribune. She’s enrolled in a weekly Citizens Academy put on by the Albert Lea Police Department. Email her at kelli.lageson@albertleatribune.com.