Civilian Employee of the Year

The Lincoln Police Department is pleased to announce Records Technician Velda Rademacher as the 2008 Civilian Employee of the Year. Velda works the Northeast Team Station Service Desk and has quickly distinguished herself as an integral member of the team and has helped make the transition to that team’s new station a smooth and successful project. Moreover, she demonstrated an understanding and dedication to our long tradition of exceptional public service that goes beyond what others do. Our history of strong public support on community issues or budget consideration is largely due to the daily efforts of employees such as Velda who understand that being a Lincoln Police Department employee simply requires more of you.

While Sergeants and other staff are important when operating an independent team station, one quickly realizes what a pivotal roll the person who coordinates what can become a very hectic service desk plays in the sanity and functionality of the station. Velda moves people in and out of the station, providing the required information or referral and helping solve their problems, if she can. This is done with an efficiency that would make the most senior air traffic controller proud!

While Velda generally functions as a Records Technician, transcribing reports and statements, she took it upon herself to train at the main station’s service desk in order to fine-tune the necessary abilities to take on the various other tasks requested of her. To this end, Velda has performed admirably and with little direction, becoming an invaluable asset to the Northeast Team. Not only does she process various records, suspended drivers licenses and the many other records functions that come with her job, but she also helps officer better understand the records function of the department and makes correcting reports, getting answers and requesting help much easier. Many times, through the friendly general conversation over her counter, they leave educated without even knowing it!

The foundation of the Northeast team station is the neighborhood and citizens who live around it. Even more so than in her other duties, Velda shines when she works with the public. In so many ways, she is the Northeast goodwill ambassador. She makes treats for the hard working Special Education students from Northeast High School who help at the substation as part of their education. For Velda, though, that is only the beginning. From placing crayons and coloring books in her desk that she purchased on her own, to helping distract or entertain the child that comes to the station, to reuniting a lost dog with its elderly owners, she strives to make each and every contact with the public a warm and helpful experience that illustrates what it means to be both a citizen of Lincoln and a member of the Lincoln Police Department.

Velda reaches out to everyone who comes to her. They leave with a better appreciation of the Department, the Northeast Team and every LPD employee because they were served by Velda. We are happy to recognize her quiet effort for which she neither asks nor expects accolades, but which reflects so positively on every member of this department. The Lincoln Police Department is defined by employees such as Velda Rademacher, the recipient of the 2008 Civilian Employee of the Year.