To the editor:

I found your article on Ron Olin, “Challenges of past keep chief on job” (Nov. 12), to be very informative. However, your reporter failed to mention two programs the chief has implemented that go a long way in enhancing the police/citizen interaction.

The first is the Lawrence Police Department’s Citizens’ Training Academy. I was privileged to attend the second academy. It is an informative exercise in why and how the department operates. The attendees are from diverse sections of the community and learn about all phases of the department. Any questions asked are answered in a forthright manner by the instructors (police officers).

The second example is the police department’s cooperative effort with the Lawrence Kiwanis Club’s Birthday Beat program. This program involves pairing a police officer (who volunteers) with a child, taking that child to a local store and letting the child pick out a birthday gift of their choice. The gift is paid for by funds supplied by the Kiwanis club. Local social service agencies recommend the child. This project has been ongoing for over 10 years, and would not have been possible without Chief Olin’s support.

Congratulations to the chief on 16 years at the helm of the police department in arguably the best city in Kansas. You will always have my support.

Rusty Thomas,

Lawrence