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1. Are there any outreach programs for police to connect with the citizens?

The Riley County Police Department has several outreach programs to connect with the citizens of Manhattan to bring about unity. RCPD employees represent the department by attending various committee meetings and serving on boards throughout the community. The list below is not all inclusive but serve as some examples of community outreach programs. 

RCPD Community Advisory Board: The CAB represents a cross-section of the Riley County public with members from a variety of business, geographical, and cultural communities. Members are representative of the broad community we live in to be consistent with the diversity in Riley County. The members of the CAB nominate candidates to serve on the board, who are then appointed by the Director of RCPD.

The Community Advisory Board advises RCPD on community concerns and relays information about the RCPD to the public. Effective policing relies on positive relationships with the community we serve. The CAB was established to provide a community perspective to the police department when considering local problems and policies. The group assists in improving the community's understanding of police functions and roles. The CAB advises RCPD on ways to improve the effectiveness of police operations in relation to community needs.

The Community Advisory Board meets monthly to address issues of interest to the RCPD and how they may affect the people of Riley County.

You can learn more about the CAB here: http://www.rcpdcab.org/ 

CAB@rileycountypolice.org

LGBTQ+ Liaisons: In 2019, the Riley County Police Department formed the LGBTQ+ liaison team. The RCPD has two officers representing the department as LGBTQ+ liaisons. The liaisons act as a bridge between the police and the community, promoting a positive relationship with people in Riley County while advocating for equality.  The LGBTQ+ liaisons are dedicated to increasing public education on hate crimes and public safety.

Sergeant Scott Hagemeister

(785) 537-2112 x2500

shagemeister@rileycountypolice.org

Officer Rachel Pate
(785) 537-2112 x2486
rpate@rileycountypolice.org

Douglass Center Advisory Board: The Douglass Center Advisory Board makes recommendations to the City Commission regarding the operation of the Douglass Community Center and involvement in community events. Director Butler routinely attends their monthly meetings.

Douglass Center Advisory Board RCPD Liaison

Sergeant Ryan Doehling

rdoehling@rileycountypolice.org

Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan:  RCPD partners to bring educational presentations and participate in speaking engagements with the Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan. Children are most at risk of participating in and being victims of crime right after school lets out. B&G Club provides a safe and productive place for kids to go during the times when they are most vulnerable.

RCPD Community Outreach BBQ: The Riley County Police Department has made it a priority to get out into the community and be a part of events because together, we are a stronger, safer community. To further a culture of service throughout the organization, the department purchased a barbecue grill/smoker through donated funds, seized assets, and unused end-of-year personnel funds. The goal is to serve food to the community during events and actively participate with the community.

Coffee with a Cop: This is a causal meet-and-greet for members of the Riley County community to provide positive and fun interactions with police. We are hopeful that the program will help reach the section of the community that does not use social media or the internet. These are public meetings held over coffee throughout Manhattan and Riley County. Members of the community with suggestions on where to host future meetings are encouraged to contact the department’s Public Information Officer.

Nextdoor: Nextdoor.com is a free, private social network program where residents work together with the Riley County Police Department and their neighbors for a safer community. The program allows neighbors to talk online, obtain information about crimes in the area, locate missing animals, etc. The Riley County Police Department has partnered with Nextdoor.com to launch a program in the area not only to confront and resolve safety issues within the neighborhood, but also to help bring neighbors together. Other emergency and local government organizations such as the Manhattan Fire Department, Riley County EMS, Riley County Emergency Management, and the City of Manhattan have partnered with RCPD and Nextdoor.com.

The Riley County Police Department uses social media in an effort to keep people informed and educated on local and state laws, current events, and emergency notifications. We encourage our community to engage in meaningful, respectful conversation with us and fellow citizens. We believe social media helps to improve the quality of life by creating a direct method of communication with your police. To create a social environment that is welcoming to all people, as part of our social media policy, all posts or comments containing offensive or perceived to be offensive language will not be allowed.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RileyCountyPD

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RileyCountyPD

Nextdoor: https://nextdoor.com/city/feed/?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RileyCountyPD/

2. Does the Riley County police have plans for a community town hall?

Director Peete regularly attends meetings open to the public of all County governing bodies which include, the cities of Randolph, Riley, Leonardville, Ogden, Manhattan and Riley County. At these meetings, he shares information with those in attendance regarding RCPD operations, answers questions, and fields suggestions.  Often these meetings are attended by other operational personnel for the same purpose. In February 2023, Director Peete held several town hall meetings to introduce himself and listen to the community concerns, suggestions and ideas relating to RCPD and safety. All those from each community within Riley County were invited to attend the meetings. The town halls were also live streamed from the RCPD Facebook page facebook.com/RileyCountyPD/. 

3. Are there events where Riley County officers and civilians can meet each other?

The Riley County Police Department regularly participates in speaking engagements throughout the year. Members of the community who wish to schedule an officer to speak at an event, training, convention, or other gathering are asked to complete a Speaking Engagement and Appearance Request Form which can be found on the Riley County Police Department website. Advance notice is requested to ensure staff is available for the event.

4. When an investigation is complete, how does a person get a copy of the police report?

Incident reports are requested and obtained by contacting the Riley County Police Department Records section. You can do this in person, by mail, by phone, or by completing an online request through www.rileycountypolice.org. Please contact Records during business hours with any questions you have regarding the process. The requester must know the approximate date and time or specific incident details to request a copy. Once Records confirms the incident, they will advise how much the records will cost (this all depends on the report size and details), obtain payment (cash, check, or money order), and supply the individual with a redacted copy of the report via in person, email, or fax. To learn more, you can find an informational brochure here.

The Riley County Police Department believes transparency creates trust between our department and the community. We are dedicated to accurate, timely release of information through our Public Information Officer. Each week day, the PIO publishes a Police Activity Report which is a summary of calls for service/ reports filed from the previous 24 hours.

The PIO routinely speaks to members of the public and local media partners about items listed in the Police Activity Report to give additional information as it may be available through the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA). The report is readily available to the public when it is published on the RCPD website and social pages.

5. Is the report available to the person immediately once the report is completed and filed?

Once the report is complete by the officer(s), it must be approved by a supervisor and then submitted to Records. Depending on the incident filed and status of the report, Records can supply an individual with basic report details (information that is open to the public) within 1-2 days. Any report or record is subject to KORA however certain information within it may remain closed either by statute or at the discretion of the agency.