Dickinson, Kenneth (1948-2012)

Biographical Information: Kenneth E. Dickinson was the former chief of police for the city of Waite Park, Minnesota. Following four years of service in the U.S. Air Force, he became a police officer in 1970, a position that he held until his retirement in 1999.

Transcript Summary: In an interview conducted on February 26, 1992, Kenneth E. Dickinson discussed his time as a police officer in the city of Waite Park, as well as broad changes within the profession that took place over the course of his career. Dickinson noted that since he began working as a police officer in 1970, new educational standards had been enacted throughout Minnesota, requiring prospective officers to achieve two to four years of college education before entering the field. Likewise, Dickinson also noted that the introduction of many pieces of new technology helped ease law enforcement, including fax machines and more advanced breathalyzers for example. Dickinson affirmed that working in law enforcement was not always easy or pleasant. Yet he enjoyed his job and found it meaningful, asserting that he originally became a police officer in order to help out and protect his community.

Please contact University Archives to access transcript. [16068]