City Of Minnetonka: Meet Community Engagement Officer Bauer

Minnetonka MN

07 June, 2022

11:09 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Minnetonka: June 6, 2022 Minnetonka Police Officer Peter Bauer is all about connecting with the community – even if it means spending a morning with junior high students plunging him into a dunk tank. Officer Bauer recently started in his role as Minnetonka's community engagement officer – a position created five years ago to better engage residents and build relationships within the Minnetonka community. "There's so much to community policing," Bauer said. "My role is about being able to build that trust and communication, create comfortability with the Minnetonka PD and the community." Originally from Columbia Heights, Bauer started his law enforcement career is Osakis, Minn., and Aspen, Colo. He joined the Minnetonka Police Department in 2014 and has served in a variety of roles, including patrol officer, field training officer and mental health evaluation team member. His most recent assignment was two years on the department's traffic unit. With the ongoing pandemic, outreach has been challenging for the police department. But as events return, Bauer is looking for ways to reintroduce the department, get involved and better reach pockets of the community that may not have regular positive interactions with police. He also plans to build on the relationships developed within Minnetonka's faith community and continue tutoring elementary students twice a week – a program he started while on the traffic unit. "It's rewarding to go into elementary schools in uniform and build that familiarity with our younger kids," he said. Would you like an opportunity to connect with Minnetonka police officers? Share your community engagement idea or event with Officer Bauer at 952-939-7603 or email [email protected]. Fast facts about Officer Bauer Favorite place to eat in Minnetonka: Arby's (fast food) and Blvd Kitchen and Bar (sit down) Three things I'd take to a desert island: Flint stone, knife or hatchet, Mountain Dew Cats, dogs or another favorite pet: Dogs. I have two labs — one yellow and one black When not on duty: I enjoy fishing year-round and taking walks with my wife and dogs. This press release was produced by the City of Minnetonka. The views expressed here are the author's own.