May was a fun month.  We had another month of outreach and training along with our assigned police duties.

On May 3rd, Chief Yamashita hosted Good Morning Sandy, talking about several topics and providing a tour of the building.  Later that same day SPD did training with City Hall front office staff about safety and dealing with difficult people.  We ended the day having a meeting with the director for the regional Behavioral Health Department.  We are trying to expand our integration of their services with our calls for people in crisis.  Behavioral Health will respond either on the phone or in person when we are dealing with an individual in crisis and help us eliminate risk to them and us but using their skills in diffusing the situation whenever possible.  Additionally, they will work with us on chronic mentally ill cases and try to act before a crisis occurs.  This will be a great resource that should ensure the best possible outcome and provide us with other tools and options.

On May 4th, the entire department turned out for Defense Tactics training where we practiced old skills and learned new techniques.  My thanks to instructors Olmos and Hodges for a good work out.

Contract negotiations between the City and the Sandy Police Officers Association began on May 23rd.  Everyone is positive and working well together to find a fair settlement.

We hosted a large group of 8 year olds from the Hoodview Academy here at the SPD on May 25th.  The kids had a tour and question and answer period.  We all had fun!