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“They have a way of cataloging smells in their tiny little brains, but they can’t do much other police work.”

Those were the words of Officer Fred Desjardin, in 1987, about the two new police dogs, Amos and Cy, who had recently joined the Minneapolis Police Department.

Amos and Cy were not the usual German Shepherds, or Belgian Malinois, or Dutch Shepherds that were in common use in police departments across the Upper Midwest. Amos and Cy were bloodhounds, a type of police dog which was more commonly used in the South.

While shepherds relied upon their keen sight to help them in their searches, bloodhounds depended upon their fantastic sense of smell. While shepherds were aggressive partners to their human police partners, the bloodhounds were less assertive.

Of the bloodhounds, Officer Desjardin remarked, “If they found a criminal, they would just wag their tails.”

Because of their skills at remembering smell, Amos and Cy were used most frequently to follow trails that might be several days old. They were also skilled at searches along concrete and other hard surfaces where shepherds sometimes failed.

Amos and Cy trained in Kansas City before going on duty with the Minneapolis Police Department. Amos was the K9 partner of Officer Desjardin and Cy was the K9 partner of Sergeant Jerry Larson who was the head of the K9 Unit.

Story idea by Retired Officer David Niebur

Quotations and photograph of Officer Desjardins and Amos courtesy of Minneapolis StarTribune of April 3, 1987

The Wedge, the community newspaper of the Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association (LHENA), wrote about the January visit:

“Two policemen from the Model City Precinct were our guests at the Association’s January general meeting. Officers Marv Jones and Jim De Concini were invited to the meeting to discuss what people can do to protect their homes from burglary.

Burglary, they said, is the most prevalent crime. They noted that one of the most obvious precautions one can take is to lock the doors and windows when you are gone from your house or apartment. If you will be working in the backyard of your hose, make sure the front and side doors are locked.

The officers stated that all doors should be equipped with dead bolt locks. If your apartment does not have these locks, you should inform your landlord that he is in violation of the law. If dead bolt locks are not installed, you can file a complaint against your landlord.

If property is stolen from your home, chances for recovery of the items will be much greater if you have recorded the serial numbers and descriptive details of such valuables as TV sets, cameras, power tools, stereos, etc. Another technique is to etch an identifying mark or number, such as your social security number on your valuables. This makes stolen items more difficult for burglars to sell and easier for the police to identify.

An electric etching tool is available for use by individuals at the Model City Precinct, 2639 Nicollet. The etchers are loaned free of charge at the precinct desk and can be used to mark either metal or wood.

A suggestion the officers made to make identification of burglars easier is to keep a glass candy bowl or vase on top of such valuables as stereos or TV sets. Burglars will move the dish to get the valuable item, thus leaving their fingerprints on the dish. This makes it easier for the police to identify the burglar.

Officers Jones and De Concini also emphasized the importance of neighborhood concern in preventing burglaries. Areas where people watch out for their neighbors are avoided by burglars. They urged people to be suspicious of strangers and unusual activities in the neighborhood and report them immediately to the police. Quick action may mean the apprehension of a criminal.”

Minneapolis Police Officers continue to this day to visit neighborhood association meetings and share advice. Their practical and easily-implemented recommendations for better safety are appreciated by residents across the city.

The Wedge of February 1, 1972 courtesy of Hennepin County Library

Photograph of the Model City Precinct from the “Minneapolis Police 150th Anniversary” book published by Acclaim Press (currently out of print)

Captain Elmer Nordlund was born in 1917. He married his wife Mary on December 30, 1939.

Their son John was born in January 1941 and later that year, in November, Captain Nordlund joined the Minneapolis Police Department.

He started out on the Vice Squad and although he was 24 years of age, his baby face made it hard for him to get into the bars to do his work. Over time, he was promoted to Detective and assigned to Theft.

He was known for his photographic memory which his daughter Diane said allowed him to spot stolen cars on the streets as he drove past them.

Captain Nordlund had a morning radio show where he broadcast news about accidents with the intention of reducing traffic mishaps and promoting safe driving.

By the time that he was promoted to Captain – the youngest Captain ever in the Department – he and Mary had a total of four children: John; Barbara Ann; Nancy; and Diane.

During his more than 40 year career with the Minneapolis Police Department, Captain Nordlund also worked at the Minnehaha Station, was Assistant Chief under Pat Walling, was an Inspector, and then also was Deputy Chief in charge of Patrol. He served as Second Precinct Commander and was also Chief under Mayor Al Hofstede.

When he passed away, he was just a few short months from retirement. His widow, Mary said, “He could have retired at 50, but he loved his work.”

Many Northeasters and others spoke highly of Captain Nordlund and his contributions to the city.

Here is a link to the full tribute to Captain Nordlund from The Northeaster of April 17, 1982:

https://digitalcollections.hclib.org/digital/collection/p17208coll7/id/42344/rec/10

“The Northeaster” of April 17, 1982 courtesy of Hennepin County Library

On July 1, 1978, the Bryn Mawr Bugle congratulated Officer Fred Desjardin and his K-9 Rocky on their great showing in the Region 12 Competition of the U.S. Police Canine Group.

The article included praise for the team’s recent visit to the Bryn Mawr Picnic where they were a star attraction.

Portrait of Retired Officer Fred Desjardin from the “Minneapolis Police 150th Anniversary” book published by Acclaim Press (currently out of print) 

Bryn Mawr Bugle of July 1, 1978 courtesy of Hennepin County Library

On May 10, 1976, during its Open House, the Fifth Precinct received a new Bicentennial flag from the community.

In its coverage of the event, the Wedge newspaper wrote:

“A prophet is often without honor in his own country. One aim of the Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association (LHENA) is that the Bryant Station not be without honor in their home neighborhood.

On May 10, many of the Association’s members visited the station for its open house. They enjoyed lunch, saw police dogs, police cars, and boats.

Dads and moms, sons and daughters all enjoyed the day.

As a sign of LHENA’s appreciation of the Bryant Precinct, President Tom Martinez presented a Bicentennial flag to Captain McCarthy. With the brisk wind that day, it was soon flying for all to see.”

If you look very closely at the photograph of the station, you can see the new Bicentennial flag flying directly beneath the American flag.

“Wedge” of June 1976 courtesy of Hennepin County Library

A safe community is easier to maintain when all residents participate and are involved.

Carol Oosterhuis was a Crime Prevention Specialist for the Minneapolis Police Department. In an article she penned for the Hill and Lake Press she asserted that the best defense against crime is neighbors who know one another.

Here is Ms. Oosterhuis’s article from May 1, 1993:

Photograph of 2018 Minneapolis Police Fifth Precinct Open House courtesy of Minneapolis Police Department

“Hill and Lake Press” of May 1, 1993 courtesy of Hennepin County Library

A McGruff House was a temporary place for children to go when they found themselves in a frightening or dangerous situation while going to and from school or when playing in their neighborhood. Children were told in school, through advertising, and through communications by law enforcement that they could go to any house displaying the McGruff House sign and be safe there.

Any house, apartment, townhouse, mobile home or even a business could become a McGruff House.

Interested participants were given a brief presentation of the McGruff House program outlining what would be expected of them if a child were to approach their home for assistance. This was followed by an application process which included a background check on all adults living in the prospective house.

Participants were instructed in the following Dos and Don’ts of the program:

• DO call the appropriate authorities if a child needs help or has a medical emergency
• DO reassure the child if they are frightened
• DO report crimes or suspicious activity
• DO NOT provide first aid except in life-threatening situations
• DO NOT administer medications
• DO NOT enforce laws

Each autumn in Minneapolis, there was a push to get the word out that more McGruff Houses were needed.

Here is the call for McGruff House volunteers from the “The Northeaster” on September 19, 1990:

The McGruff House program operated under the motto “We’ll call for help”.

In February 2012, the McGruff House program was ended after nearly 30 years of operation due to the advent and growing prominence of cell phones combined with reduced budgets.

“The Northeaster” of September 19, 1990 courtesy of Hennepin County Library

“Know your neighbors and learn how to be safe.”

This was the advice of Officer Tom Sawina and the Bryn Mawr Crime Information Network in 1990.

The practical tips given in the Bryn Mawr Bugle on March 1, 1990 are helpful for any community in any decade.

Bryn Mawr Bugle of March 1, 1990 courtesy of Hennepin County Library

Saturday, July 9, 1960 marked the beginning of “Know Your Police Week”.

The Minneapolis Tribune wrote that “a lot of persons have known about their police officers for years. They know them as athletes and coaches.”

Marvin LeVoir, who worked in the License Inspector’s office, played football for the Minnesota Gophers from 1936-1938. Marty Christensen from Traffic played football for the Gophers from 1939-1941. Officer Don Smith played for the original Minneapolis Lakers team. Officer Russ Wasser was once a Minneapolis heavyweight boxer.

Jack Boike, who worked in the Identification Bureau was the Grain Exchange’s American Legion assistant coach. He was also Courthouse golf champion several times and won the Richfield Knights of Columbus golf title.

Captain Ed Farrell swam for the University of Minnesota from 1931-1933 and competed in the Olympic Trials in the 1500-meter in 1932. Richard Oly of the Police Dive Team was also a swimmer. Motorcycle Patrol Officer Bill Leadans was a champion hunter who traveled all over the Upper Midwest and Canada for his sport.

The Minneapolis Police Softball team had a good record and defeated the St. Paul Police softball team 13 out of 20 games from 1950-1960. The Minneapolis Police Pistol Team, coached by Officer Tony Hammel, won the Minnesota Police Pistol Tournament 11 years running from 1949-1960. It also won individual crowns in 9 of those 11 years. The team won the State Open title for all three calibers in 1959 and 1960.

Many members of the Minneapolis Police Department coached city kids. Officer Ralph Hitchens of the Morals Squad, who once played junior hockey in Winnipeg, coached a Roosevelt area pee-wee puck team to the 1959 city championship. Officer Tommy Russell coached youngsters at Christ the King school. Gil Jacobsen of the Juvenile Division coached hockey at St. Phillip’s School. Officer Bob Ball coached and helped spearhead the Boy’s Town – DeLaSalle football games. Officer Fred Wallner, who played part-time with the Millers during their 1948-1949 season was a youth coach and umpire. Other youth umpires were Officers Ross Brovald and Ralph Koll. Officer Dick Fine was also a popular youth coach. He played in the Northern Baseball League from 1938-1939.

Source: Minneapolis Tribune of Sunday, July 10, 1960.

Photograph of Minneapolis Police Activities League (PAL) 13U Girls Volleyball Team celebrating their 2016 Championship win. Photograph courtesy of PAL.

One hundred years ago today, after decades of work by Suffragettes and their supporters, the 19th Amendment was declared ratified.

Today we are thinking with pride and gratitude of the many women of the Minneapolis Police Department, past and present.

We are also thinking today about all of the young girls who will one day become Minneapolis Police Officers. We can hardly wait to meet you!