By: Alli Harlan
Champaign County is home to the Urbana Police Division where they strive to provide the best service for their community since 1868.
Their mission states, “We, the members of the Urbana Police Division pledge to provide quality service with integrity and teamwork, to keep Urbana a pleasant place to live, work, and visit.”
We caught up with Chief Matt Lingrell and talked about community outreach, what’s unique about their workplace, and open new positions.
To start, 2023 was the first year that their police division implemented its new in-car and body-worn camera program to assist the officers. This was a huge accomplishment.
Also for the first time last year, their officers hosted a Citizens Police Academy.
This is a 6, one day a week session to receive classroom and practical exercises provided by the officers.
Citizens were informed on all the topics within the law and visited places like the 911 Countywide Communications Center.
Urbana Police Division is having another Citizens Police Academy this year, if you would like to join, email [email protected].
Community is a huge key to their success at the department, which shows as they are involved in the following events:
- Citizens Police Academy
- Cops & Bobbers, an event focused on fishing and fun, along with food and supplies provided by Urbana Police. Stay tuned for when this event is.
- Torch Run in Urbana, starting at Kroger and running to the finish line at the Coffee Depot. This event supports the Special Olympics.
- Easter Egg Hunts
- Halloween Giveaway
- Purchase & Deliver Christmas gifts to those in need
Chief Lingrell talked about the uniqueness of the police department, one of those being their annual physical fitness standard test.
He believes each officer should be comfortable and confident within their mind, body, and soul.
It is in their standards that each officer must complete this test, but there are some insensitive to go along with it.
The test consists of push-ups, sit-ups, and a mile-and-a-half run.
Last year, their overall average was 80.10%, so they are trying to improve that, even if it’s by 1%.
Three officers ran their mile and a half in under 10 minutes last year, which takes hard work.
Lingrell shared that he has been running on the treadmill every morning to prepare for the competition, even though he is not required to compete.
If officers end in the 50 percent, they receive $250, as the percentage increases, so does the pay, which stops at 90% which is $1,000.
By making this a requirement, the officers are more than likely to feel calm in intense physical situations and seem to not be as stressed on duty.
The roster at the Police Division is the following:
- Matt Lingrell, Chief, 1984
- Joshua Jacobs, Lieutenant, 1999
- Shawn Schmidt, Sergeant, 2000
- K. Jason Keizer, Sergeant, 2006
- Todd Pratt, Sergeant, 1996
- J. Logan Dunn, Sergeant, 2017
- Robbie Evans, Officer, 2005
- K. Mike Cooper, Officer, 2005
- Luke Hiltibran, Officer, 2016
- Andrew Ervin, Officer, 2016
- Seth Lingrell, Officer, 2018
- Keith Hurst, Officer, 2018
- Tristin Williams, Officer, 2020
- Ely Lauck, Officer, 2022
- Damion Williams, Officer, 2022
- Major Stratton, Officer, 2022
- Tristen Ruef, Officer, 2023
- Lance Turner Jr., Officer, 2023
- Laura Milton, Records, 2020
- Mike Hughes, Property, 2020
2 current openings need to be filled to consider the department as fully staffed.
With that being said, they are hiring and looking for officers to fill 2 current full-time police officer openings.
The basic qualifications consist of:
- 21 or older on the date of testing
- High School Diploma or GED
- Valid Driver’s License
- U.S. Citizen
- Pass the following:
- Written & Physical Test
- Polygraph & background investigation
- Psychological, medical, & drug exam
Benefits consist of:
- Salary starting at $59,612
- Overtime Eligible
- Paid Vacation & Sick Time
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Educational Bonus 2%-4% additional pay
- Annual Uniform Allowance of $1,000
- Annual Fitness Bonus up to $1,000
- Ohio Police & Fire Pension
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
The deadline to apply is May 10, 2024. If you are interested, visit the City of Urbana Website, www.urbanaohio.com/job-opportunities.html.
Overall, The Urbana Police Division along with Chief Lingrell takes great pride in their work to keep the Urbana community safe.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we catch up with each officer at this location to spotlight the hard work right here in Champaign County.
