[0:01] This is the Farmington feed, bringing [0:03] you information from the city of [0:04] Farmington. [0:05] >> Hi and welcome back to the Farmington [0:06] Feed. I'm Karen Hajniki, the city's [0:08] communications specialist, and I'm [0:09] hungry for another episode of The Feed. [0:12] We have two new guests with us today. [0:14] We'll be talking with our police [0:15] department captains, Bob Solder and [0:17] Andrew Vandor. Welcome to the feed. Now, [0:19] this is your first time, and that's [0:20] exciting to have new people on. Are you [0:22] guys excited? [0:23] >> Absolutely. [0:25] >> Let's start with our first question [0:26] about why you wanted to become a police [0:28] officer. Bob, how about you first? [0:31] >> So, for me, it uh ever since I was a [0:34] kid, I wanted to be a police officer. It [0:35] was just kind of stuck with me. Um, in [0:39] high school, [0:41] I received a scholarship to go to school [0:44] for law enforcement. [0:45] >> Okay, cool. [0:46] >> And I went to Alex Tech and uh received [0:49] my degree there. And um yeah, that's uh [0:53] just kind of stuck with me. [0:54] >> Yeah. [0:55] >> Since I was a kid. [0:56] >> Yep. How about you? [0:58] We did some type of a like a personality [1:01] assessment when I was in high school [1:03] >> that that aligned you with different [1:05] professions and law enforcement was one [1:07] of the ones that that was under mine and [1:09] I guess it just kind of planted the [1:10] seed. I'd say the thing that I think is [1:13] so attractive about it is that every day [1:15] is different. We never have the same day [1:17] two times in a row. So I think the [1:19] uniqueness of it was probably what drew [1:21] me to it. [1:22] >> Yeah. Um so how long have each of you [1:23] been with the department? I've been with [1:25] the department since October of 97. [1:30] So, [1:32] >> whatever the math is on that. [1:33] >> 28 years. [1:34] >> Okay. [1:35] >> Yeah. [1:35] >> And I've been there November of 2006. [1:38] So, coming around on 19. [1:39] >> Cool. What roles? What different roles [1:41] have you been in since you've been with [1:42] the department? [1:43] >> I was obviously started as a patrol [1:45] officer. I spent a few years in a [1:48] part-time capacity with the Dakota [1:50] County Drug Task Force. [1:51] >> Okay. also a field training officer. [1:54] >> Mhm. [1:55] >> I began teaching our use of force [1:58] training or in-house use of force. [2:00] >> Is that the one the thing you were doing [2:02] when I stopped by and took photos with [2:04] two of the newer officers last year? [2:06] >> Yes. [2:06] >> In the garage area. [2:07] >> Yep. [2:08] >> Yeah. Okay. [2:08] >> Yep. So, our defensive tactics. Um just [2:11] teaching the officers how to use force [2:14] when they can use force when they can't [2:16] and the appropriate levels of force to [2:18] use in situations. became a patrol [2:20] sergeant in 2005 [2:25] and I've spent pretty much my my whole [2:28] career on patrol in one form or another. [2:31] So [2:32] >> other than that short stent in the drug [2:34] task force. [2:35] >> Okay. [2:35] >> And then just recently promoted to [2:38] captain. [2:39] >> Yeah, we'll talk a little more about [2:40] that in a minute. But how about you [2:41] Andrew? [2:42] >> Yeah, I've had a lot of cool [2:43] opportunities in my career. I aside from [2:47] patrol of course um just like Bob I've [2:50] I've taught a lot of things use of force [2:52] firearms skills um response to like [2:56] active asalent things um I was a school [2:58] resource officer for five years here in [3:01] the Farmington school district between I [3:03] was assigned to dodge and to the high [3:05] school at the end I think my last year [3:07] was 2016 [3:09] >> field training officer [3:11] patrol sergeant for a stint I was a part [3:14] of South Metro SWAT, which is the SWAT [3:16] team that services most of Dakota County [3:19] and all of Rice County for 13 years. Uh, [3:22] this last Friday was actually my last [3:24] day on the team. I just retired off the [3:26] team as an assistant commander. [3:28] >> Okay. [3:29] >> And then just like Bob, recently [3:30] promoted to captain. [3:31] >> And is that that's like in addition to [3:33] your duties at Farmington, you're doing [3:36] the SWAT. [3:36] >> It is. It is. I still do it as a [3:39] Farmington police officer. I'm just a [3:41] member of that team. It's just a [3:42] ancillary duty. [3:44] >> Okay. [3:44] >> Yep. [3:45] >> And how much extra time and training did [3:47] that involve? [3:49] >> It it can be a lot and it can be a [3:50] little for sure. Every month they train [3:53] every third Wednesday of the month for [3:55] 10 hours. [3:56] >> Yeah. [3:56] >> And then the the call load, call outs [3:59] and different thing is hit hit and miss. [4:01] Sometimes it's a lot, sometimes it's a [4:03] little. [4:03] >> But it's all of Dakota County. [4:04] >> It's all of Dakota County and it's all [4:06] of Rice County. So Fair Farbo, [4:08] Northfield, [4:09] >> all the outskirts of that county. [4:11] >> Okay. So [4:12] >> that's a lot. Um, so talking about your [4:14] new positions, you're now captains and [4:16] there's a little bit of a difference in [4:18] your roles. Can you explain what the [4:19] difference is between your two roles as [4:21] captains? [4:22] >> I guess technically I'm I am in charge [4:24] of the patrol side of it and he's more [4:27] the administrative side of it, but a lot [4:29] of our duties do cross over. [4:32] >> Okay. [4:32] >> Currently I'm doing on the scheduling, [4:35] the training, [4:37] >> and the fleet. So, those three things [4:41] take up a majority of my time. Um, [4:43] >> is it weird to like be probably in the [4:45] office more than normal, right? [4:47] >> Absolutely. Yeah. And, uh, I've been [4:50] busy, a lot busier than I thought I was [4:53] going to be. The days go really fast. [4:55] Yeah. And, um, yeah, I'm enjoying it so [4:58] far. [4:58] >> Good. And how about you, Andrew? [4:59] >> I'd say we have a lot of overlap. First, [5:02] of course, we're supporting all the team [5:04] members at the agency is our first role. [5:08] specifically to me. Um I oversee the [5:12] investigation unit. Okay. And our [5:13] records management team. Yeah. And so I [5:16] mean that's a lot [5:16] >> just trying to help them. Uh some of [5:18] that's a little out of my wheelhouse. [5:20] It's not exactly my expertise. So [5:22] >> I think they're more training me in than [5:24] than I am helping them for sure. [5:26] >> Technology falls under me. [5:28] >> Okay. [5:29] >> I think that's all all the bills all the [5:32] >> paying the bills and the invoices. [5:34] Somebody's got to do that. [5:35] >> It's under my [5:36] >> And you're learning a lot with that too, [5:37] right? [5:37] >> It is very outside of my knowledge base [5:40] for sure. [5:40] >> And you're help uh thanking our finance [5:42] department for all their help. [5:43] >> Yeah, absolutely. [5:45] >> Um so what motivated you guys to apply [5:48] for this position as captain? [5:50] >> I guess for me, I feel like I have a lot [5:52] to give back to these younger guys. You [5:56] know, I've been at this for a long time. [5:58] Um, and like Andrew said, I I feel like [6:01] we're supporting them, and that's what [6:03] how I feel like our role is. [6:06] >> Whatever way I can support them, protect [6:08] them, guide them, that's the way I see [6:11] it. I was encouraged to apply by several [6:13] of my uh several officers underneath uh [6:16] me as a sergeant. And um [6:18] >> it's kind of a nice feeling when [6:19] somebody's like, "You should do that." [6:20] And you're like, "Oh, wait. Yeah, I [6:22] guess I could." Right. [6:23] >> Right. Yeah. I was appreciative of it. [6:25] Yes. [6:26] >> Yeah. For sure. How about you, Andrew? I [6:27] think Bob said it pretty well. The only [6:30] thing I'd add is it's a really exciting [6:33] time with Chief Seam being promoted to [6:36] chief and [6:37] >> absolutely [6:37] >> it was exciting opportunity to be part [6:40] of shaping Chief Seam's vision and and [6:43] helping him develop strategies to enact [6:46] his plan. [6:47] >> Yeah. [6:47] >> And same as Bob, I was just I was [6:50] excited to to try to use my areas of [6:52] expertise to to try to better our agency [6:55] and and our community. So, what do you [6:57] love about being an officer, especially [6:59] in Farmington? [7:00] >> The the community is very supportive. [7:02] City council is great. You hear about a [7:05] lot of other communities where it's, you [7:08] know, it's like the the city's against [7:10] them, but in here it's it's been great. [7:13] I mean, very supportive community, which [7:15] I think is one of the reasons why I've [7:17] stayed in Farmington. [7:18] >> Yeah, I I totally agree. That isn't just [7:20] a line at hearing agencies around us, [7:23] communities around us. we realize how [7:25] much support that we have here. It it is [7:27] unique to the city of Farmington, to the [7:29] Farmington Police Department. Uh that is [7:31] definitely a benefit for where we work. [7:35] Otherwise, I'd say kind of what I had [7:36] mentioned before. I think the thing we [7:38] love about our job is that it's it's [7:40] always unique. Certainly Bob and my jobs [7:43] have become a little more standardized [7:45] about what our days look like, [7:46] >> but but that isn't it isn't just like [7:49] data entry at some corporate job because [7:52] at any time we might need to go help the [7:54] guys that are out working the road. And [7:56] so [7:57] >> the [7:57] >> the possibility of uniqueness, I think, [8:00] is what cops love about their job. [8:01] >> So we talked a little bit about why you [8:03] love it, but who helped you guys love [8:05] it? Who were who was your mentor? I [8:07] guess I've had several along the way. [8:09] Starting out my career, Officer Jim [8:11] Murphy, [8:12] >> who recent recently retired. Yep. [8:15] >> He was kind of a mentor to me, [8:17] especially in the early days. I've had [8:19] several. And I'd say most recently in [8:21] the last 5 years, it's been chief seam. [8:24] He's he's been great. And again, one of [8:26] the reasons why I put in for this [8:28] position was to I share his vision on [8:30] what this department can be. And [8:32] >> just want to help him work towards that. [8:34] >> Yep. [8:35] >> Yeah. I think I think probably the same. [8:37] There's probably too many people to [8:38] mention. [8:39] >> Bob was my sergeant when I was a brand [8:41] new cop as a 21-year-old kid. And so for [8:44] many years, he was he was my supervisor [8:47] and the person that I learned from. Uh [8:49] certainly Chief Rutherford was a big [8:52] influence on me. I've been fortunate to [8:55] make really strong connections through [8:56] the SWAT team and other opportunities. [8:59] So I have a lot of mentors just in our [9:01] area. [9:01] >> Yeah. Uh, Deputy Chief Greg Dalstrom [9:04] from Apple Valley, Adam Cheetah is a [9:06] sergeant with Apple Valley, Matt [9:08] Schuster is a sergeant with Dakota [9:10] County. The list could just go on and [9:11] on. [9:12] >> But that's important in in a job like [9:14] yours, right? You need all that support. [9:16] >> And it'd be I mean, it'd be shortsighted [9:18] not to realize the investment that [9:20] people make in you to make you [9:22] successful. It is. We have a very unique [9:24] job that has a really wide breadth of [9:27] knowledge and skills and you don't just [9:30] come on them by yourself. people people [9:32] have to inform me about them and so [9:33] having that network of people to to [9:35] mentor you is incredibly important. [9:38] >> Yeah. [9:38] >> Yeah. [9:39] >> You guys talked about how you love your [9:40] job and you love this community and the [9:41] community is very supportive. So that's [9:44] a result of community engagement, right? [9:47] >> Yes. [9:47] >> I mean you guys do a lot for this [9:48] community. Toys for town, Pink Patch, um [9:51] Chill with the Cop, we were doing Coffee [9:53] with Cops. Um Yeah. So talk about your [9:57] involvement with that and how that helps [9:58] to build this community. Yeah, sure. No, [10:01] you're correct. I mean, this like we' [10:03] mentioned before, this community is very [10:05] supportive and I feel like part of us [10:08] just giving back to the community is [10:10] doing these community engagement events [10:12] and we feel like they appreciate it and [10:15] that's why I think we do quite a few [10:19] events. I've most recently been involved [10:21] with the top the tater days just doing [10:24] the security and the logistics to that [10:26] and then most recently uh actually right [10:29] now we're working on the holiday parade. [10:32] >> Yep. Um [10:32] >> which was new last year. [10:34] >> Yes. Um in the past I've worked on the [10:36] toys for town which is a big community [10:39] event for us. [10:40] >> Oh yeah, for sure. That's going to start [10:42] here pretty soon. [10:43] >> Most recently we did a coffee with cops [10:45] at Beans and Boots. [10:47] >> Yeah. Local coffee shop. Dirty pink [10:49] soda. I tried one myself. Did you? [10:51] >> I did not try one. I've heard they're [10:52] good, though. [10:52] >> Yeah. It's like a Shirley Temple, I feel [10:54] like. [10:55] >> Okay. [10:55] >> That's how I would explain it. But it's [10:57] got like energy in it or something. [10:58] >> Yeah. What about you, Andrew? What [11:00] engagement? [11:01] >> I think Bob did a pretty good job at [11:02] kind of talking about some of the events [11:04] that were part of I know Officer Megan [11:06] Shu had organized um [11:09] >> Helmet Heroes. [11:10] >> Helmet Heroes. Yeah. I couldn't think of [11:12] the name of it. I think to round out [11:13] what what Bob was talking about is a lot [11:16] of these community engagements h have [11:19] been the result of a lot of people that [11:20] have worked hard before we were even [11:22] involved in it. Um [11:23] >> and lots of connections and and [11:25] partnerships with community businesses, [11:28] organizations. [11:28] >> Absolutely. And I and I think those go [11:30] back a long time. Our relationship with [11:33] the school district has a lot to do with [11:35] Officer Ted Dao and Officer Steve Kyper [11:37] that are retired. Bob and I, our our [11:39] partners at the PD benefit from a lot of [11:42] investment that officers before us and [11:43] administrations before us had put into [11:46] developing those. [11:46] >> Yeah. It just didn't happen overnight. [11:48] >> No, absolutely not. [11:49] >> But you continue to do it. You continue [11:51] to show up and help people and just make [11:53] connections. I know when we talked with [11:55] Officer Pete, as he likes to be called, [11:57] at the schools, [11:58] >> he's just making connections with those [12:00] kids and making them understand it's [12:03] okay to come talk to me. You don't have [12:04] to be afraid of the cops. And like one [12:06] time we went out and shot a video and [12:08] they he was just playing football with [12:09] them and it was like the greatest thing [12:10] for for that day, you know, instead of [12:12] instead of being in class, right? [12:14] >> Yeah. [12:14] >> But just talking with them at lunches [12:16] and I'm sure you did that too, right? [12:17] >> It was I loved it. [12:18] >> Yeah. [12:19] >> Talking in classes and Yeah. It's a [12:21] great job. There's there is no other [12:23] police assignment like being a school [12:24] resource officer. You are the most [12:26] connected to the community being a [12:28] school resource officer than any other [12:30] position I [12:31] >> Yeah. And then going to the football [12:32] games and just being totally in it. [12:34] Right. Yeah, the toys for town thing [12:36] that goes back all the way to Chief [12:39] Seanoler and I don't remember the year [12:41] he started that, but [12:42] >> I think when um Chief Rutherford and I [12:45] talked about it, we figured out I think [12:46] this will be the 38th year. Wow. [12:48] >> I think. [12:49] >> Okay. [12:50] >> So, yeah, [12:51] >> we had the math wrong one day, but then [12:52] we figured it out. [12:53] >> A lot of the credit for that program. I [12:55] mean, that all started with him, and it [12:58] what it's grown into over the years has [13:01] been amazing. [13:01] >> Oh, yeah. Every year I've gone, it's [13:03] gotten bigger and better. And like I've [13:05] had my kids come and rap. I'm sure you [13:07] guys have had your families come at one [13:09] point or another. [13:09] >> We look forward to it every year. Our [13:11] neighbors do. [13:12] >> And there's that one family, I think [13:13] they were on the cover of the Currents. [13:15] They had been doing it for like 21 years [13:16] or something. And they wrapped a [13:18] bicycle, I think. Did you guys see that [13:20] a couple years ago? [13:21] >> No, I don't recall. [13:22] >> And then like last year, I think they [13:23] wrapped wrapped a big stuffed animal. [13:25] Like they always try to find the [13:26] craziest thing to wrap and they wrap it. [13:29] It makes a little game out of it. But [13:31] but it's not funny. It's just it's just [13:33] a great community event to have all [13:35] those people in that high school [13:36] wrapping all those gifts and picking [13:38] them out and having like so much fun and [13:40] you know bringing joy to people. I [13:42] always like to ask a question like [13:43] what's a funny thing that's happened to [13:44] you while on the job. And honestly you [13:46] probably don't have a lot of funny [13:47] things happen but I will say the [13:50] funniest thing that I've experienced is [13:51] when we were shooting that video. Do you [13:53] remember Bob last year when we were [13:54] doing the Gen Z script video and you had [13:57] to say all these you and Nate Nate had [13:59] to say all these terms [14:00] >> I remember [14:00] >> and you're like what does this even mean [14:02] like and everyone loved those videos [14:05] like seriously like I kind of half got [14:08] it but my kid was like that's funny and [14:10] but it what was the purpose of the [14:11] video? We sold Stanley's. Right. [14:13] >> Right. [14:13] >> And we sold out twice I think. Right. [14:15] >> I think we did. [14:16] >> Yeah. That video was a big hit. It was [14:18] >> I didn't understand why either, but [14:20] yeah, [14:21] >> but I guess like it did its job, right? [14:23] And I thought it was a hoot hearing [14:25] people of our age saying words that, you [14:27] know, teenagers say, right? [14:30] >> Um, anything that comes to mind for you. [14:32] I haven't gotten you in too many videos, [14:34] Andrew, yet. [14:35] >> I I guess I don't have any real funny [14:38] things queued up off the top of my head. [14:41] >> Well, we'll have to make one. We'll have [14:42] to make a video and it'll be funny, [14:44] right? [14:44] >> Sure. [14:45] Um, so is there anything else we should [14:47] talk about? [14:48] >> Most recently, you've been working on [14:51] ebike safety and ecooters. [14:54] >> Oh, for sure. [14:55] >> It's been a big issue, not just in [14:57] Farmington, but [14:58] >> Oh, yeah. [14:58] >> several communities in the electric dirt [15:01] bikes. Um, we're even seeing golf carts [15:05] and different things on the road. So, [15:06] we're just trying to educate the public [15:08] as far as what's legal and what's not [15:10] legal. We recently shot a video on the [15:13] ebikes. Mhm. [15:14] >> So, yeah, that should be coming out soon [15:16] and hopefully get the information out [15:19] there. [15:19] >> Yeah. And just the importance of wearing [15:21] your helmet, [15:22] >> correct? [15:22] >> Right. I mean, cuz that's helmet heroes, [15:24] like supplying helmets to the community, [15:26] but also talking about wearing your [15:27] helmet to be safe on any kind of bike, [15:30] right? [15:30] >> Yeah. I just uh read a stat the other [15:32] day about injuries on these ebikes and [15:35] e- scooters is up. I want to say it was [15:37] like fivefold just in the last year or [15:39] two. [15:40] >> Yeah. And part of that is it just you [15:42] see a lot more people on them. But um [15:45] yeah, unfortunately the injuries are [15:47] rising also, [15:48] >> but it's you know the education of how [15:50] to how to ride them, right? Cuz they can [15:52] go pretty fast. [15:53] >> They can. [15:53] >> So, [15:54] >> and we need to make sure that the [15:56] they're age appropriate as well, [15:58] >> right? So, when they're on the trails, [16:00] just a reminder that you're sharing this [16:02] trail with pedestrians. [16:04] And some of these ebikes, you know, [16:06] they're 50 to 70 lbs. And if you're [16:08] going 15 20 m an hour on a trail and you [16:12] collide with a pedestrian, that can that [16:14] can be very bad. [16:15] >> Yeah, for sure. I know. Also, speaking [16:17] of bikes, you do bike patrol when you [16:20] have time. [16:20] >> I do. I've Yeah. Matter of fact, Andrew [16:23] and I started that program [16:25] >> 20 years ago. 15 20 years ago. [16:27] >> Yeah. 2008. [16:28] >> So, you also [16:30] >> do bike control? [16:31] >> I have. [16:32] >> Not not recently. [16:33] >> Not as recently. Yeah. Not not as [16:35] recently as Bob. But um how does that go [16:37] when you when you're able to do that? [16:39] >> Yeah. So when we have adequate staffing, [16:41] which has been a little more difficult [16:43] in the last few years, officers can take [16:45] the bike out. We encourage them to hit [16:47] the trails. [16:48] >> Yeah. [16:49] >> Go to the parks, anywhere the squad car [16:51] can't go. Yeah. [16:52] >> That's kind of the point of it. [16:53] >> Y [16:54] >> interact with the public, especially the [16:55] youth. [16:56] >> Y [16:57] >> Hand out stickers, tattoos, um that type [17:00] of thing. [17:01] >> In my experience, the public loves it. [17:03] every time I've done it and they see out [17:04] there, they're just like, "Oh, wow. I [17:06] didn't know we had a bike cop." And [17:08] yeah, you know, just uh making those [17:09] contacts with the kids, just good [17:11] positive contacts. [17:12] >> Yeah. And just reminding them like, [17:14] "Hey, wear your helmet or [17:16] >> Yep. [17:16] >> you know, rules of the road and the [17:18] trail." And [17:19] >> right, [17:19] >> you know, that's always good for them to [17:20] get reminders, not from their parents. [17:22] >> Right. [17:24] >> Well, thank you so much, guys, for [17:26] joining us today. And a few reminders [17:28] from the PD. Uh, winter parking [17:30] restrictions are going to be coming up [17:31] here soon on November 1st. Right. [17:32] >> Correct. [17:33] >> And that means no street parking [17:35] overnight and that runs until Wednesday, [17:38] April 15th of 2026. [17:40] >> Be safe when riding ebikes and e [17:42] scooters and make sure to follow the [17:43] state statutes. [17:44] >> So for ebikes, [17:46] >> 12, [17:47] >> you have to be 15 to ride an ebikes. And [17:49] if you are under 18, you must wear a [17:51] helmet. [17:52] >> Yep. [17:52] >> For an e scooter, you must be at least [17:56] 12 years old. [17:57] >> Yep. And you must wear a helmet if [17:59] you're under 18. [18:00] >> Oh yeah, for sure. And then a few more [18:02] things. Um, we're going to talk about [18:03] Pink Patch Project, which is ongoing [18:05] right now and till the end of October. [18:07] The Pink Patch merchandise is available [18:09] at the PD lobby Monday through [18:10] Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 400 p.m. And [18:13] check out Farmington. [18:15] MnPPP for more information on that. Um, [18:18] and also Toys for Town will be coming [18:20] up. Request calls will start to be taken [18:22] on Monday, November 3rd, and they will [18:25] end Monday, December 8th. And you can [18:27] always email toys number four [18:28] town@faringtonmn.gov [18:30] for information. Wrapping day will be [18:33] Saturday, December 13th and starts at [18:35] 9:00 a.m. at Farmington High School. And [18:36] we just ask that you show up ready to [18:38] rap. Right. And some people wear their [18:40] Christmas pajamas, too, right? Well, [18:42] that concludes this month's episode of [18:44] the Farmington Feed. Thank you for [18:45] listening. We look forward to connecting [18:47] with residents on this podcast. If you [18:48] have feedback, guest requests, or ideas, [18:50] email me at [18:51] communications@faringtonmn.gov. [18:53] Don't forget to subscribe to the [18:55] Farmington feed wherever you like to get [18:56] your podcasts.