OTTAWA POLICE ANNOUNCE STAFFING OF COMMUNITY POLICING UNIT

Department Staffs Community Policing Unit

The Ottawa Police Department and Elizabeth Layton Center are pleased to announce the Crisis Co-Responder and Community Police Officer positions have been filled.

In April 2022 Master Police Officer Adam Seyler, a 6-year veteran, was assigned as a Community Police Officer. MPO Seyler is a Central Heights High School and Ottawa University graduate. He has served as a field training officer, shift assistant supervisor and is a member of the department’s STAR Team. He is CIT Certified and is a BOLA Wrap instructor, a device available to de-escalate potential use of force circumstances. MPO Seyler will begin his duties as the department’s Community Police Officer in May.

Megan Thomas will be the department’s first Crisis Co-Responder. Megan has a bachelor’s degree and master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Washburn University and 8 years of criminal justice system experience in juvenile corrections and case management in Douglas County.

Ottawa Police Chief Adam Weingartner said “I am excited to announce Megan’s hiring as our first Crisis Co-Responder. It has been a goal of the department to fill this community need for several years and I am thankful to Megan for taking on this challenging role. MPO Seyler is an exceptional police officer with vast experience that will help him, and Megan learn their new duties together.”

Elizabeth Layton Center Executive Director Leslie Bjork said “This is a good day for all citizens of Ottawa! It is exciting to see the shared vision of a Community Policing Unit come to fruition for our community, and to launch the program with such experienced and talented individuals. Elizabeth Layton Center is honored to begin this endeavor with Ottawa Police Department and look forward to supporting the mental health needs of our residents in new ways through this important best practice program.”

In October 2021 the department was awarded a federal grant to create the Community Policing Unit consisting of one Community Police Officer and one Crisis Co-Responder. The department is partnering with the Elizabeth Layton Center for the co-responder.