Auburn, Indiana — September 2004
Auburn, Indiana, a dynamic community of 12,000, represents the county seat of DeKalb County in Northeast Indiana. It is best known for its automotive heritage as a former home to the Auburn Automobile Company, where Auburn, Cords, and Duesenbergs were designed, built, and sold. Auburn hosts the largest collector car festival and auction in the world, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival. Welcoming 300,000 visitors each year, the Festival ranks in the top 100 events nationally. It will be held September 2-6 this year.

Though Auburn is "Home of the Classics" in regards to automobiles, it also boasts a police department that is a classic example of how to take care of its community and its own personnel.

Serving Their Community
One of the Auburn Police Department's primary goals is to be involved in their community as much as possible. This is accomplished through a series of events throughout the year. They include:

• National Night Out-This event, observed by millions nationally, is held annually the first Tuesday in August. It includes neighborhood block parties, cookouts, visits by local law enforcement and more to generate support for anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and local police-community partnerships.

• Citizens Academy-In the late Winter and early Spring, citizens from the community 18 years and older, can participate in these 7-8 week courses designed to teach everything there is to know about being a police officer. This year, 25 people participated with ages ranging from the 20's to the 60's.

• Shop With A Cop and Thanksgiving for the Needy-These programs involve working with Auburn Family Services to help needy children and families. The programs are supported by funds raised during the police department's annual golf outing.
  
  
• Santa at the Shelter-A retired reserve officer dresses as Santa and brings gifts to each child at the local children's shelter.
  
  
• Student Scholarships-Each year the department receives dozens of applications for three $300 scholarships it awards.

Serving Their Own
Five-year police chief Martin McCoy has placed the health and well-being of his personnel at the top of his list as well. Working closely with Auburn Human Resources Director Patsy Fuller, Chief McCoy introduced a wellness program this Spring after realizing that a wellness benefit in their insurance plan was not being used. "The healthier we can keep people, the less impact it will have on the department. Law enforcement is such a high stress field and many departments are short in manpower. We don't eat right, we have families to take care of and more. Most of us wouldn't take the time to have a physical evaluation unless they thought they had a problem. This program is provided on company time and can help the entire department become healthier," states the chief.

The Auburn Police Department joins a growing number of law enforcement agencies who are seeking to help their personnel make good health care choices. Though the program was voluntary, 16 out of his 22 sworn personnel participated. A dispatcher and an administrative assistant also participated. "There were nothing but positive statements," says the chief. "People were happy they participated."

Click here for the Auburn PD newsletter article.

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© 2006 Public Safety Medical Services