Tag: Mike Risvold

Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold to Retire After 31 Years of Service

March 4th, 2021

Image courtesy Wayzata Police Department.

After more than 31 years in law enforcement, Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold is set to retire on March 31st, marking the end of an era for the local police department.

Chief Risvold’s career began with the Minnetrista Police Department and Hennepin County’s Sheriff’s Department, where he served for 14 years before taking on the role of Chief in Wayzata in 2004.

His leadership has been characterized by a series of significant achievements and commendations.

In 2005, Risvold was awarded a community leadership accolade by Amy Klobuchar for his pivotal work on a notable criminal investigation.

This honor underscored his commitment to justice and community service. Further cementing his legacy, in 2018, he received The Richard W. Schaller Award from the Minnesota Police Chiefs Association, an honor given to a chief who demonstrates exemplary service and earns respect within the community.

Throughout his tenure, Chief Risvold has been a steady hand at the helm of the Wayzata Police Department.

He has overseen the coordination of large community events, built strong relationships with local residents, and fostered a department culture of dedication and care.

His leadership was particularly critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, where his guidance of the Emergency Management Team prioritized the safety and well-being of both the community and city staff.

As Chief Risvold steps down, he leaves behind a department and a community that has greatly benefited from his dedication and expertise.

The Wayzata community will undoubtedly feel the impact of his departure and extends its gratitude for his years of unwavering service.

For those interested in learning more about Chief Risvold’s storied career, including the details of his award-winning investigation, the Mayor Minutes Podcast will feature an episode dedicated to his contributions this month.
Community Weighs In On Police Body Cams, Wayzata PD Program Begins In November

October 19th, 2020

The city of Wayzata recently wrapped up an online community poll regarding police worn body cameras.

Image Courtesy City of Wayzata

The Wayzata Police Department will be implementing the program beginning in November.

The police department has been working on the program for several years.

“We are now falling in line with many other agencies as body cameras have now become somewhat a norm,” said Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold at a recent city council meeting. “The transparency and the accountability are key.”

High-profile police-citizen interactions across the country have brought police body cameras to the forefront.

“We look at the critical incidences that we see nationwide and the importance of having that video evidence.”

Acceptance of the use of body cameras by police officers has changed through the years.

“Officers have gone from ‘we don’t want to open that can of worms’ to ‘we can’t have them fast enough’,” said Risvold.

“The timing is right to get this thing going,” added Risvold.

The cost of the body camera program is just under $12,000 per year on a five-year contract.

You can review the body worn camera policy here: www.wayzata.org/bodycams

Here are the results of the Wayzata Police Department Body Worn Camera Policy Survey conducted via polco.us:

Where do you live?

Wayzata – 76% (47)

Long Lake – 11% (7)

Neither Wayzata nor Long Lake – 13% (8)

What is your gender?

Female – 50% (31)

Male – 50% (31)

What is your age?

20-34 years – 6% (4)

35-54 years – 40% (25)

55-64 years – 35% (22)

65 years and over – 18% (11)

I feel concerned about my privacy when having to deal with officers wearing body cameras.

Strongly Agree – 2% (1)

Agree – 5% (3)

Neutral – 10% (6)

Disagree – 35% (22)

Strongly Disagree – 48% (30)

An interaction with the police is less likely to result in a confrontation if everybody knows the

interaction is being recorded with body worn video.

Strongly Agree – 47% (29)

Agree – 42% (26)

Neutral – 5% (3)

Disagree – 5% (3)

Strongly Disagree – 2% (1)

Police use of body worn video is a step in the right direction.

Strongly Agree – 56% (35)

Agree – 39% (24)

Neutral – 5% (3)

Disagree – 0%

Strongly Disagree – 0%

Body worn video protects police against false accusations.

Strongly Agree – 66% (41)

Agree – 34% (21)

Neutral – 0%

Disagree – 0%

Strongly Disagree – 0%

Police should be required to notify individuals when they are being recorded on body worn video.

Strongly Agree – 15% (9)

Agree – 26% (16)

Neutral – 19% (12)

Disagree – 27% (17)

I feel safer when a police officer is wearing a video camera.

Strongly Agree – 44% (27)

Agree – 31% (19)

Neutral – 21% (13)

Disagree – 3% (2)

Strongly Disagree – 2% (1)

It is acceptable for Police to record body worn video as part of their official duties.

Strongly Agree – 58% (36)

Agree – 37% (23)

Neutral – 5% (3)

Disagree – 0%

Strongly Disagree – 0%

An officer should be able to view (not edit) body worn video prior to writing a report.

Strongly Agree – 34% (21)

Agree – 40% (25)

Neutral – 15% (9)

Disagree – 8% (5)

Strongly Disagree – 3% (2)

All police interactions with the public should be recorded with body worn video.

Strongly Agree – 42% (26)

Agree – 35% (22)

Neutral – 16% (10)

Disagree – 5% (3)

Strongly Disagree – 2% (1)

Police officers collect body worn video to protect me.

Strongly Agree – 34% (21)

Agree – 45% (28)

Neutral – 15% (9)

Disagree – 6% (4)

Strongly Disagree – 0%

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Are there specific questions you believe the Wayzata Police Department’s body worn camera policy should address?

By individual officer, what is your answers to the questions we just answered from your concept and perception?

The policy of turning the camera off. What will be the policy of releasing footage whether it clears and officer or not. What is done

When video is appropriately shared (nude video, graphic, etc). How long is video kept that is not part of a criminal proceeding?

Will these videos be reviewed regularily?

What role does body camera footage play when police are responding to medical emergencies in their communities?

Thank you for the survey!

I believe that routine interaction with police should not require body camera use, Police should turn their camera on when the

Interaction becomes non-routine, or when their is evidence that a law has been broken. (other then minor traffic infractions).

No questions. My family supports the Police Department 100%, and if they need body cam footage to protect themselves from false accusations, it is fine by us.

Fines and suspension, etc when someone turns off their camera. Cannot allow some incidents to be filmed and others not. I’m in favor of

The ability for people to “screen” their personal identifying information (address, name, etc) from the general public, especially if a mental health condition is the underlying issue and reason for the call vs a crime (ie, Probably not a good idea to be posting all film publicly unless there is a dispute. Allow citizens to protect their ID if desired, within reason). Use common sense to protect privacy.

Body cams should be auto-on. Police shouldn’t have to turn it on – they may forget or selectively omit when they don’t want to record

When police are required to turn them on. It should be all the time.

Policy for disciplining officers if they don’t reliably or consistently use their PRS.

Security of stored body cam video e.g. against tampering or unauthorized access

This is not a question, but a comment. As a person who has had the opportunity to ride numerous times (15+ years ago) with many impressive officers of two suburban metro-mpls police departments, I can see how the use of a body cam can be a real benefit (potentially to both the officer and the citizen) and also “one more thing to manage in a quickly unfolding situation”. I’m sure it can be a powerful training tool, and a way to recall very dynamic situations. Hopefully, it is not in any was a liability to the officer as one more thing to think of when timing counts. My hope is that this tool will be an enhancement to the job and not an encumbrance. With that, thank you for what you do to keep us safe, and act as a valuable resource! We hope that unsuitable cops can be dealt with so that the good cops can do what they do so well! Thank you for being there for us!

Are there questions community advocates should ask Wayzata Police Department during the development of the body camera program?

What is done with the digital recordings? Hourly? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Quarterly or annually or forever? Is this like DNA evidence that remains part of every interaction in perpetuity?

Yes, what about gun cameras in addition to or in place of, body cameras. They are less money and are made locally in Maple Plain. Viridian Weapon Technologies.

Will they be on at all times? not have the ability to be turned off?

Does the body camera policy and system include night vision capability?

Thank you for the opportunity!

What is best practice to protect the public in allowing police to review or not review recorded video prior to writing a report?

Not really a question but I would like to have normal day-day conversations with police without it being recorded. I also believe their should be a high bar for release of any recordings regardless of whether or not a law has been broken.

Will they be able to turn it off? Why?

Are body worn camera recording audited to find police that may be breaking rules unknowingly or knowingly? Who should be doing the auditing to ensure there’s no conflict of interest?

Whose input has been gathered in this process? The police work for the people, and if the surveys have mostly been encouraged by police officers asking friends/ family to take it, or if the police force is equal or greater than the voice of citizens, that’s not democracy. It should be citizen’s choice, with strong police input AND what the data says around impact and risks of body cams.

Why would cops prefer not to do cams? It seems like it’s a win-win for all parties.

When pulling people over and as son as they turn their camera on, should they record their initial reason or rationale for pulling someone over?

How do the Wayzata Police officers feel about this, pros/cons?

I think regarding the officer reviewing video prior to writing reports: the procedure that Wayzata adopts should be the procedure that offers the highest level of protection and service to the public. Moreover, the procedure Wayzata uses should be whatever procedure is consider best practice across the nation. The Volusia County Sherriff’s dept of Florida has become a model of success for training officers to serve a diverse population. I would like our police dept to adopt regular training that is similar to that of Volusia County.
Wayzata Mayor Willcox Issues Statement on Community Inclusion Amid George Floyd Death Fallout

June 7th, 2020
City of Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox released the following statement regarding the death of George Floyd and having a community of inclusion.

Like everyone else we were disgusted at the tragic killing of George Floyd last week. It has sparked universal expressions of grief, anger and sadness, and we share them all.

I would like to emphasize that the kind of excessive aggression seen in this incident is neither acceptable nor any part of the culture of the Wayzata police department. Our police are diligent and proactive in enforcing our laws and they treat everyone with respect and fairness regardless of race.

Under the exceptional leadership of Chief Risvold, the Wayzata Police in partnership with other law enforcement agencies will continue taking the necessary precautions to ensure peace and safety in Wayzata.

We appreciate the cooperation of our residents in complying with the recent curfews. They were important to our policing efforts. On a positive note, there were no incidents in Wayzata this past week related to the unrest in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The City of Wayzata is committed to taking further steps to ensure that we have an inclusive culture that values and serves all people. It is an effort that needs the support and participation of our entire community. Some of our residents have already stepped up to volunteer and provide resources to the people most affected by the destruction in Minneapolis. We are proud of Wayzata’s ongoing generosity and kindness, and we thank you all.

Going forward we are doing the following:
- We are continuing to emphasize to our City staff, including our public safety personnel, that the culture of our City remains one of respect and fairness to everyone.
- We are in contact with officials in Minneapolis and St. Paul to determine how our community could be of most assistance.
I would like to extend particular thanks to the members of our police and fire departments. Our gratitude extends to the entire City staff. They have worked under unusual stress dealing with the challenges of both the coronavirus and civil unrest.

And finally, thank you to our residents for supporting our ongoing efforts to keep Wayzata a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment.

Be well.

Ken Willcox
Mayor
Renewal by Andersen Honors Fallen Officer with Donation of Electric Bikes to Wayzata Police Department

June 19th, 2019

In a heartfelt tribute to the late Officer William Mathews, the Wayzata Police Department has received a generous donation of two electric bikes from Renewal by Andersen of the Twin Cities, facilitated by the Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition.

Pictured, left to right: Wayzata Chief of Police Mike Risvold, Renewal by Andersen of the Twin Cities manager Tim Ruff and Shawn Mathews, widow of fallen officer Bill Mathews

Officer Mathews, 47, lost his life in the line of duty in 2017 while responding to a 911 call about debris on Highway 12. Having served the Wayzata Police Department for nine years and various other communities prior, his memory continues to resonate within the community.

Renewal by Andersen, inspired by Officer Mathews’ legacy, reached out to his widow, Shawn Mathews, and subsequently approached the police department to inquire about their needs. In an effort to honor Officer Mathews, the company decided to contribute two electric bikes, valued at $5,800, to aid the department in patrol and community outreach initiatives.

The WPD accepted the bikes on Thursday, June 13, at Klapprich Park, at a gathering preceding the annual Wayzata Fire vs. Wayzata Police charity softball game. The bikes were officially presented to the Wayzata Police Department, with Wayzata Chief of Police Mike Risvold expressing gratitude for the donation.

“We are grateful for Renewal by Andersen’s donation to the Crime Prevention Coalition, which will help the department better serve our community – what a fine way to honor Officer Mathews’ memory,” Chief Risvold stated.

Tim Ruff, manager of Renewal by Andersen of the Twin Cities, emphasized the company’s commitment to making a positive impact in the community. “When we met Shawn, we were touched by her story, and we knew we wanted to take action to honor her late husband’s memory,” said Ruff. “It’s important to us to try to make a difference in our community.”

The electric bikes will play a vital role in enhancing the Wayzata Police Department’s ability to carry out their duties, ensuring a lasting tribute to Officer William Mathews’ dedicated service to the community.
Wayzata Mourns Tragic Loss of Officer William Mathews in Fatal On-Duty Incident

September 8th, 2017

Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold, Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, and Minnesota Highway Patrol Colonel Matt Langer jointly announce the passing of Wayzata Police Officer Bill Mathews.

In a tragic incident earlier today, Police Officer William Mathews, a dedicated member of the Wayzata Police Department, lost his life in the line of duty.

The 19-year veteran was struck and killed by a vehicle on Route 12, between Route 101 and Shoreline Drive, at approximately 12:30 pm.

Officer Mathews had been actively engaged in removing debris from the roadway when a vehicle collided with him.

The Wayzata Police Department is mourning the loss of Officer Mathews, who served this and other communities with unwavering dedication for nearly two decades.

He is survived by his wife and 7-year-old son.

Bill, Shawn, and Wyatt Mathews.

Our deepest condolences to Officer Mathews’ family and friends during this difficult time.

Further details regarding memorial services and arrangements will be communicated as they become available.
Summer Fest 2011 enforcement upsets Long Lake Council Members

August 10th, 2011

Long Lake Council Members Tom Skjaret and
Donny Chillstrom indicate they are upset over
enforcement of a liquor permit at Summer Fest 2011.

When the Long Lake City Council invited Police Chief Mike Risvold to address the group on routine business in July, they didn’t anticipate a confrontation over Summer Fest enforcement.

The way the Wayzata Police Department closed the adult beverage tent was upsetting to two Long Lake City Council members, Tom Skjaret and Donny Chillstrom. The pair complained that an officer on duty had been rude to them at Summerfest.

The connecting factor behind the cities of Long Lake and Wayzata is the Wayzata Police Department contract. Wayzata PD has been under contract to provide services to Long Lake since the beginning of the year.

Beer sales did not cease

The City of Long Lake granted a permit to the Long Lake Lions that allowed the sale of beer until 11 PM at Summer Fest. When the clock struck eleven, Long Lake Lions who are Council Council Members
(Skjaret and Chillstrom) drug their feet wrapping up the beer sales. Wayzata Police Officers enforced the permit, and were forceful in seeking compliance with the law. Days later at the Long Lake City Meeting, it appeared Skjaret and Chillstrom were still smarting from the rebuff that had occurred.

Council members upset

Tom Skjaret indicated in the July 5th Council Meeting , “…we may have been in the wrong for continuing to serve beer, but the attitude of the officer to me was unacceptable. In fact, that gentleman was downright rude to my wife. He did not apologize when he was given the opportunity, in fact the man looked at me like I was an idiot and he walked away when I asked him to apologize for whistling at my wife.
I’m only going to say this once, I will not stand for that ever again. I was very, very upset, my wife was very upset, the officer, like I said, was downright rude. You are not hearing me chief. He was rude. We don’t need that.”

“I’m hearing you,” Risvold answered, “Perhaps you and I can talk about the specifics of that [in private].”

There was confusion for Skjaret on the guidelines of what the permit stated. He thought that sales of beer were allowed until 1 AM. Fellow council members explained to Sjkaret the permit guidelines had been in the book they had received and said sales would stop at 11 PM. Even though Skjaret was corrected, he insisted that the permit stated otherwise.

Council Member Chillstrom commented on the officers actions, “What I saw was the one officer just really didn’t wanna be there, was the attitude that I got. I said something to him, and he said, if you wan’t special treatment, there is going to have to be extra overtime. I don’t know if he was supposed to be done at eleven o’clock and outta there, or…”

Council member Liz Olson defended Wayzata PD, “I think the officers were frustrated that we were selling beer past the time listed in then permit. You can’t blame the police for doing their job.”

Long Lake City Administrator Terrance Post indicated, “It was kind of surprising…everybody was kind of taken aback,” When Chief of Wayzata Police Department, Mike Risvold, took the floor-he addressed the community on events that had occurred in the city like normal. “The issue was complete news to me and took me by surprise. I couldn’t understand what the issue was…it is pretty black and white,” Post stated in a telephone interview.

Post continued, “I guess my reaction was that some of the comments were very personal in nature and kind of inappropriate for the public meeting,” After the second altercation from the meeting, Post personally apologized to Risvold the following Wednesday morning. He said,” I apologized on behalf of the whole incident and thought it was kind of inappropriate.”

Prior to these events there had been no record of any tense feelings between the city of Long Lake and their newly contracted police department. Post described the relationship as very solid.

When Chief of Wayzata Police Mike Risvold responded to the Council, he appeared to have a positive attitude about the future and laying out guidelines ahead of time. He recommended a face to face meeting prior to any future events. “We will have no issues going forward.”

What is your take on the events? Did the Council Members overstep their bounds thinking they were above the law? Does a Police officer have to be polite when enforcing a law? Let us know in the comments box.
CRIMER ALERT: Burglary in Hollybrook

December 22nd, 2008

In a statement made earlier today, Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold addressed a recent burglary attempt in the Holdridge area, shedding light on the incident that unfolded in the Hollybrook neighborhood.

According to Chief Risvold, the burglary occurred between December 12 and December 20 in the quiet town of Wayzata.

The perpetrator(s) forcibly entered a residence by breaching a locked front door. Remarkably, despite the unlawful entry, preliminary investigations reveal that nothing appears to have been stolen from the premises.

In what could be described as a stroke of luck for the residents, it seems that the would-be burglars may have been deterred by the presence of an alarm system.

Chief Risvold mentioned that although the alarm system was installed, it had not been armed at the time of the incident.

The exact day and time of the burglary remain uncertain as investigations are ongoing.

Chief Risvold urged the community to come forward with any information that may assist in solving this case.

Concerned citizens are encouraged to contact 911 and reference the provided alert when providing information related to the attempted burglary.
Burglary in Holdridge Area

October 29th, 2008

Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold released a prepared statement this morning concerning a burglary that transpired in the Holdridge area, located on the east end of town.

The incident occurred during daylight hours on Tuesday, October 28th, where the perpetrator(s) gained entry into a residence through an unlocked door.

The stolen items were of significant size, requiring a vehicle for their removal.

The burglary took place between 9:00 AM and 5:30 PM.

At present, there is no apparent connection between this burglary and a separate incident that occurred last week on the west side of Wayzata.

Chief Risvold urges residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to secure their homes.

The Wayzata Police Department is actively investigating the matter, and anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to come forward.
WAYZATA CRIME PREVENTION COALITION: Letter from Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold

October 12th, 2008

Dear Wayzata Residents and Business Community,

The Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition (WCPC) is a voluntary organization that assists the Wayzata Police Department in many crime prevention initiatives. The coalition is made up of more than a dozen volunteers who work tirelessly to help the Wayzata Police and Fire Departments make the City of Wayzata a safer place to live, work, and visit. The board consists of Wayzata residents, business people, and Wayzata City Staff.

The WCPC is involved in many activities each year. They organize our 20 annual National Night Out neighborhood visits. They also assist in many public education and crime prevention seminars such as senior driving courses (to reduce insurance rates for seniors), internet safety, computer safety, identity theft, block captain training for Neighborhood Watch, retail crime prevention, babysitter training, and more. They also fundraise for special projects. The WCPC was responsible for purchasing the department’s first Automatic Electronic Defibrillators (AEDs) aswell as the Tasers the officers carry. This year, with the help of the Masons, more than 300 children were processed with Child ID kits. Parents were able to take home a disk with their child’s photo as well as a Child ID kit.

The work of the WCPC does makes a difference. When it comes to organizations such as this, I can tell you as Wayzata’s Police Chief, I am the envy of our neighbors. We are lucky to have such a dedicated, goal oriented, and progressive organization working along side us. They truly serve as an additional officer on the force with the work they do. On behalf of the Wayzata Police Department and the entire City of Wayzata, I say thank you.

Be safe,

Michael J. Risvold
Chief of Police
CRIME ALERT: Burglaries Hit Two Wayzata Businesses Overnight

September 26th, 2008

WAYZATA, MN — In a concerning development, two Wayzata businesses fell victim to burglaries overnight, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement. Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold issued a statement on September 26th, 2008, urging residents to remain vigilant and report any relevant information.

According to Chief Risvold, entry into both establishments occurred through windows that the suspect(s) had broken. Similar incidents were reported in neighboring jurisdictions around Wayzata, indicating a coordinated series of business burglaries.

The burglaries at the Wayzata businesses took place between 4:00 and 5:00 AM, underlining the need for heightened security measures during the early morning hours. Chief Risvold advised businesses equipped with alarm systems or video surveillance to ensure their proper utilization.

For residents and businesses alike, Chief Risvold emphasized the importance of reporting any suspicious activity promptly by calling 911.

If anyone possesses information related to the burglaries, authorities encourage them to share it by clicking on the comments link at the bottom of this posting.

Wayzata.com remains committed to serving as the Crime Alert leader for the Wayzata community, providing timely updates and crucial information to keep residents informed and safe.