^{"We fight what you fear"}

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    The Red Oak Police Department is a strong and pro-active department with a dedicated commitment to the philosophy of Community Policing.  The Department has 12 full time   Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (I.L.E.A.) certified officers, one of which is a full time School Resource Officer (SRO).  All full time officers receive an extensive 13 weeks of training and certification from the I.L.E.A..  Our officers continue to receive training and certification after their basic training,  in many specialized fields; Firearms, ASP Baton, CPR, Bloodborn Pathogens, Accident Investigation, Fingerprint Analysis, Laws of Arrest, Use of Force, OWI (Alcohol and Drugged Driving), Criminal Code, Traffic Code and Enforcement (s.T.E.P.), Chemical Agents (OC), K-9 and Domestic Abuse Investigation, Crime Scene Investigation, Photograph at Crime Scenes and Accident Scenes, to name only a few areas.    The department is also active in attending certified training programs sponsored by the  Sioux City Regional Training Center, specializing in narcotics investigation.  This training has allowed the department to develop a Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT).  Members of the TNT work very closely with the Montgomery County Sheriffs Department, as well as State and Federal agencies, to combat narcotics use, manufacturing, and sales in the Red Oak and Montgomery County.
    The department is constantly preparing for the future, mediocrity is not in our officer's vocabulary.  This preparation includes, but is not limited to, joint communications, a joint law enforcement center and a new detention center, with the Montgomery County Sheriffs Department.
Our departments are working closely together and are experiencing very good success working jointly in narcotic and criminal investigations.  We plan to extend that cooperative effort to include, but not limited to, crime scene analysis and processing by sharing specialized equipment and personnel resources.
By unifying the two departments into one central location, resources, manpower, specialized equipment, information gathering and dissemination can be achieved in a more productive and efficient manner.  This also would provide one central location for the public to go to obtain most of their public safety needs.  It is the belief that better service and an opportunity to save tax payers dollars could be achieved through a joint law enforcement center.
   Members of the department give many unselfish hours toward the betterment of their community.   Not only in the "line of duty".   They have a vested interest in their communities growth and development, through their families, civic organizations, volunteer work, schools and church membership.

   Former officer have made career transfers to; the Iowa State Patrol, Des Moines Police Department, Creston Police Department, Corning Police Department, Clarinda Police Department, Adair County Sheriffs Department, Mills County Sheriffs Department, Montgomery County Sheriffs Department, Bellevue, Nebraska Police Department, Carroll County Sheriffs Department and Carroll Police Department.
That demonstrates the professionalism and character our officer have.
The opportunity for career growth is fantastic,
whether it is with our department or another.

RED OAK POLICE - MEN OF HONOR,
INTEGRITY AND COURAGE

We believe it is our privilege and honor
to serve our community.

"The policeman is your best friend."  It seems every American child grows up hearing those words.  In fact, one of the first instructions we're given by our parents is to find a police officer or fireman if there's trouble.  Good reasoning, as they represent order and safety, and, on a kid appeal level, they look cool, too.  Thus it's no surprise that the officer on the beat and the firefighter on the big red engine are the first realize heroes most kids come to know.  Granted, many go through childhood without cause for their heroes' intervention; still kids everywhere rest easy knowing our best friends are out there, a mere phone call away if needed.

Time passes.  We get older and new heroes capture our attention.  Athletes, performers, even comic book characters appear to win our praise and stir our imaginations.  The old friends we kids revered now seem, to jaded adult eyes, tame, or worse, a bother.  The trusted police officer (now simply smugly called "cop") has become a target for easy jokes.  Never around when he's needed, and a nuisance when you're cruising along at twenty miles over the limit.  The firefighter still has a vague aura of coolness to him (due in part to the fact he doesn't hand out speeding tickets) but it's such a hassle to pull over to let his noisy truck pass when you're running late.  Too often taken for granted the neighborhood heroes of yesterday are largely relegated to the sidelines of our consciousness.  There they sit along with the cowboy, astronaut and other colorful folks we admired.  We thought we'd grow up to be just like them, but sadly, most of us just grew up.

Then came September 11th.  On that day we were all made children again as we watched the unbearable tragedies in New York and Washington.  Everyone glued to their TV was in some way praying for a hero to make things right.  Someone who is strong and brave, able to maintain calm in the confusion, help out the injured and lead the frightened to safety.  We called out for heroes and thank God they answered.  The men and women of New York's Finest (an understatement if there ever was one) brought aid to the people directly affected by the attack, and through their selfless efforts, rekindled hope in the heart of a despairing nation.

The true heroes of our childhood touched us all that day with their gifts of courage, compassion, and tragically for many, their very lives.  Their achievements were enormous, their sacrifices never to be forgotten.  Thank you for being everything our parents promised us you were.  What the hopeful child inside every heartsick adult still knows you to be.  Our best friends.
 Paul Dini

I'm going to ask that the next time someone cuts, bashes, or berates the men and women who hold the line between chaos and anarchy, or who fight the things you fear, you take it on yourself to defend those who defend you..........
Steve Crozier
 

National Association of Chiefs of Police

International Police Association

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.

LIFE, LIKE ATHLETICS IS STAYING
BETWEEN THE LINES!