OCTOBER 2021
RIVERTON REVIEW Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government MAYOR’S MESSAGE
The Inaugural Citizen’s Academy By Mayor Trent Staggs
vocal about his desire to cultivate a police department culture based on community policing principles. Through this model, RPD strives to be service-oriented and focused on meeting the actual needs and concerns of our citizens. Not only do our officers take pride in their day-to-day interactions with the public, they work each and every day to earn the respect and trust of our community.
Prior to 2019, Unified Police Department (UPD) served the law enforcement needs of Riverton City. After a thorough review of future budget forecasts, staffing levels and coverage, it was determined that Riverton City would be better served by selfproviding policing duties. In 2018, Riverton City issued public notice of intent to leave UPD and in July 2019, at a now annual property tax savings of more than $2 million and an addition of 9 officers over what we had with UPD, the Riverton Police Department “In a time of unrest (RPD) officially and distrust in police took over law enforcement services around the duties in country, the Riverton Riverton.
To further community engagement, RPD will be hosting its very first Citizen’s Police Academy beginning this month. This sixPolice Department is a week academy include Two years later, great example of how will educational RPD continues first responders can workshops with to be one of the topics centered great, if not the and should become on community greatest, police an active part of the policing, daily departments operations, in the state community.” school resource of Utah. This officers, drug continued disposal and success comes other topics. The at the hands of our excellent academy will also incorporate a live police chief, Don Hutson, and action scenario as well as firearm his dedicated staff. From the and taser trainings. We anticipate beginning, Chief Hutson has been
RIVERTON REVIEW | OCTOBER 2021
offering the academy on a yearly basis.
Chief Hutson clearly states the overall goal of the academy in a recent conversation with me. He said, “It is my hope, following successful completion of the academy, each participant will gain a better understanding of police services and the types of rigorous trainings each officer must go through to be successful. Ultimately, we want our attendees to become ambassadors and advocate for us in the community with a better understanding of challenges we face.” In a time of unrest and distrust in police services around the country, the Riverton Police Department is a great example of how first responders can and should become an active part of the community. Through the prioritization of hiring experienced officers that have displayed a strong commitment to fair and objective policing, we can ensure our residents continue to receive the very best police services. With the inauguration of the first Riverton City Citizen’s Police Academy, we will continue to engage and build trust within the community. I am proud of RPD and have full trust in their ability to lead, protect and serve Riverton City and ask that you continue to support them in their pursuits.
Monday, October 25
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Riverton City Park 1452 W 12600 S
Families are invited to dress up in Halloween costumes and come to Riverton City Park to participate in several free activities and games on the event lawn for the younger kids and a spook alley for the older kids in the rodeo arena! There will be chances to win or collect prizes and candy. Families can start at any station around the event lawn to receive their clue card. The Riverton Rough Riders will be running a carnival and selling concessions in the large pavilion. Tickets for the carnival games will be 4 for $1. Find details at rivertonutah.gov/halloween.
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