The Good Life - Nov-Dec 2013

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Paul returned to Fargo, and in August of 1989 he was hired by the Fargo Police Department. During his seventeen and a half years as a police officer, Paul gained invaluable experience both as a person and as a leader, learning the ropes in many different areas of police work. He also joined the ranks of investigator with the gang and narcotics division. Laney’s determination to be not just a “good” cop, but among the very best, led him to qualify as a field training officer so that those coming into the department could become what the citizens of Fargo deserved — law enforcement officers who were the best on the street, with the best training they could get. The parts of town that most of us rarely see are where most of the incidents that patrol officers experience every day tend to occur. Unfortunately, much of an officer’s job is seeing people in times of crisis, perhaps when death’s door has opened due to accidents, suicides, physical assaults, violent sexual assaults and even murders. Without proper technical training combined with the appropriate perspective that enables our officers not only to do their best but to handle it psychologically, day in and day out, the burnout rate would be extremely high. This takes dedication to the job and to the force, and above all, a strong commitment to “protect and serve.” Paul also served as a tactical team member, and when he retired from the police force in 2006 he was a lieutenant and commander of the Red River Valley SWAT team. 20 Corporal Tommy Ray and Sheriff Paul Laney THE NEXT STEP In 2006 Lieutenant Laney decided to run for Cass County Sheriff for a number of reasons. However, the primary reason was his persistent self-imposed goal to serve the people where he grew up. Laney also believes leadership has different levels. One of his more notable schemes came the same year he was elected sheriff, when he and his team held a “warrant party” to lure in skally-wags and scoundrels who were ignoring outstanding warrants on any number of illegal activities as well as several dead-beat dads who were choosing to ignore their child support obligations. The “lure” was for attendees who might be planning on attending or wanting to attend the Ozzy Osbourne and Rob Zombie concert. Sheriff Laney’s office sent out 500 letters to individuals insinuating they could get “back stage passes” for a personal “meet and greet” at a local bar with one or more of the band members, possibly meet the two rock stars themselves, or just to have the “winners” win a photo taken with Ozzy Osbourne or Rob Zombie. But the only “meet and greet” these particular wanted individuals got was from Cass County deputies, slinging handcuffs around their wrists. No one can remember a “sting” such as this, nor one as successful — certainly not in North Dakota! While some grumbles were heard from the public, the majority felt that the operation not only sent a much-needed message to anyone thinking that ignoring a warrant for any reason in Cass County would eventually be forgotten. It also showed that Sheriff Laney and his deputies had a good sense of humor, a commodity not always obvious when they’re chasing crooks. It was Cass County’s good fortune to have Sheriff Laney as the top decision-maker during the county-wide flooding crisis a mere two years after taking office. In 2009, Cass County faced the hellish and historic flooding of the century. If anyone ever had any doubts about Paul Laney’s ability as a take-charge leader, they had none by the time the Red River ebbed. Sheriff Laney supervised the rescue of 168 residents from their flooded homes. He also managed the
sergeant Amanda Henrickson, Sheriff Paul Laney, sergeant Jon Morse, sergeant Katie Jacobson coordination of a multi-agency flood response for the Red River Valley area, as well as forming the Tactical Operations Center (aka TOC), where several agencies worked together in rescue operations and flood responses. This was seen as such an invaluable advantage in managing large-scale emergency operations that FEMA has adopted the TOC concept and is implementing it nationally as a “best practice” method of handling major emergencies. While Laney speaks proudly of his team making it work, it goes without saying that given the leadership needed to handle such awesome responsibilities, while managing several agencies at once, Laney scrubbed all doubts of his abilities. During the Minot flooding debacle, Sheriff Laney lent his expertise in TOC protocol, manpower and the Airboats he got through grant funding the year before. In the two terms Sheriff Laney has served, he has developed several time-saving measures to be used during a variety of emergencies. One that all parents will appreciate is called the Cass/Clay Unified School Response Plan, which puts all schools within both Cass and Clay (Minnesota) Counties on the same emergency response plan for critical incidents. Sheriff Laney and then Fargo School District Assistant Superintendent Lowell Wolff coordinated this emergency response plan together. Understanding that having more heads and hands to help during emergencies is a nobrainer, Laney created a plan called the Field Readiness Training Program for licensed officers. Budget-conscious taxpayers’ especially like this idea, as it allows for more volunteer staffing and doesn’t require the hiring of permanent additional staff. At the same time, it prepares licensed officers who can always use more training. How does a jail handling as many as Cass County houses handle disturbances involving disruptive inmates? With the Corrections Emergency Response Team, that’s how. There is also an Office of Professional Standards today which investigates any internal and external complaints against the Cass County Sheriff’s Office personnel. 21
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Page 11 and 12: SEE THIS IMAGE AT “THE UPTOWN GAL
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Page 19: Marines. After graduating from West
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Page 27 and 28: 27 By: Paul hankel | PHotos: urban
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Page 31 and 32: CJ: I’m an America’s Got Talent
Page 33 and 34: “These families sacrifice so much
Page 35 and 36: with different people at OMK events

The Good Life - Nov-Dec 2013

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