The City of Golden Valley is reimagining public safety for all by ensuring its first responders are best prepared to answer any type of service call, improving the Golden Valley Police Department (GVPD) online data tools, and hiring an engagement team to help incorporate community feedback into City initiatives.
The GVPD has been actively recruiting. “We will welcome several new officers over the next 45 days, and our goal is to have 20 officers by October,” said Police Chief Virgil Green. “As evidenced by our partnership and contract with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, serving and protecting the community is our top priority.”
With funding from the Pohlad Family Foundation Reducing Harm Through Collaborative Solutions grant, the City is improving its data analytics, including developing an online visualization tool to display public safety data. “Nearly 75 percent of the calls received are medically related,” said Green. “Improved analytics will help us hire, train, and prepare our first responders to best approach calls for service.”
In addition to this data tool and the establishment of the Police Employment, Accountability, and Community Engagement (PEACE) Commission, the Collaborative Solutions grant is helping the City fund several related initiatives. Some of these efforts include improving its public safety communications input and output toolkit, completing a racial equity audit of policing policies, and engaging community partners to build trust and collaborate on public safety and wellness.
“We want to be intentional about efforts to increase community awareness and confidence,” said City Manager Tim Cruikshank.
With this in mind, the City has hired a community engagement team to help transparently and effectively communicate these efforts.
“We want to hear from everyone who has a stake in our community’s safety,” said Cruikshank. “Please watch for more information on ways to participate.”