Some police officers start their careers in the suburbs hoping their experience will lead to more exciting posts in major cities.
Lance Davenport, 40, never shared that ambition. He spent 16 years in Mercer Island before he was sworn in on June 24 as a commander for the Mill Creek Police Department.
“I’ve always considered myself a small-town guy,” Davenport said. “I can’t imagine working in Seattle or Tacoma, where everyone looks like a criminal; everything looks suspicious. I know that sounds very jaded and cynical, but I’ve always considered it a great challenge looking for crime in smaller, quiet towns.”
In Mercer Island, Davenport was more than a police officer; he was a basketball coach and a friend. People felt comfortable stopping him on the street or in the coffee shop to chat about their families.
“I liked being recognized,” Davenport said. “Your so anonymous in cities like Seattle or Everett or Tacoma. I like Mill Creek, because it’s the kind of place I’d want to raise my family; there’s not so much to worry about when your kids are playing in the yard or walking home from school.”
There are still plenty of challenges — meth, gangs, domestic violence and burglaries are taking a toll in Mill Creek as they are in surrounding cities.
“We’re all dealing with the same trends,” Davenport said. “Law enforcement agencies work together; just when we figure out how to slow one crime, the criminals figure out a new way to get around us. That’s industrywide.”
Davenport’s rolls are to identify and implement crime fighting strategies that are best suited for Mill Creek. It will be up to him to him as commander of the department’s patrol operations to ensure that officers are looking for crime instead of reacting to crime.
“We’re far more proactive now than we have been in the past,” Police Chief Bob Crannell said.
That’s due in large part to a growing police force.
Since 2005, the department has hired 12 people, including six patrol officers, a public information officer, a detective, a commander and support staff.
Crannell needs one more patrol officer to make the department whole.
“In 2006, the City Council asked us to reduce property crimes and increase police visibility in the community,” Crannell said. “Part of our strategic plan was adding some positions to our roster, and filling vacancies that occurred through attrition.”
Crime statistics are looking better all the time. Burglaries are down 27 percent from 2007 and car prowls are down 13 percent, At the same time, traffic stops are up 37 percent from 2007, tickets are up 172 percent and DUI stops are up 48 percent. Arrests are also up from 2007 by more than 17 percent.
“It means we’re doing our job,” Davenport said.
“I’m challenged to continue that trend — to make sure we’re deploying our officers and our resources in the best way.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
