Police report: DARE award, e-bike impound rule, full staffing goal and $150,000 grant for recruitment

Chief Meister delivered several department updates to the council on June 16, 2025: Christy Frigier, Lincoln Police Department DARE officer, received the Illinois DARE Officer of the Year award; the department will impound any bicycle used or suspected to be used in a criminal offense pursuant to city code (impoundment up to 30 days if not retained as evidence); the department anticipates full staffing (28 officers) by the end of the year as recruits complete training; and the department received a grant exceeding $150,000 from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board for recruitment and retention.

Meister said the DARE program has run events and student activities and that the department’s annual DARE golf outing supports the program. On e-bikes, Meister said enforcement will include seizure and impoundment when a motorized bicycle is used or suspected to have been used in a criminal act; city code provides for impoundment for 30 days if the item is not held as evidence. Meister reported staffing is at its highest level in more than five years; some officers are at the academy or still in field training and the department expects all hires to be fully certified by year’s end. Finally, Meister said the department secured a grant of more than $150,000 from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board to support recruitment and retention at no cost to taxpayers.