By Marisa Dawson, Courtesy Photo

Bennington Police Chief Andrew Hilscher was recently recognized for his past service as president of the Metropolitan Chiefs Association, an organization that brings together law enforcement leaders and other public-safety professionals from across the Omaha metropolitan area.

Hilscher served as the association’s president in 2022 after previously serving two years as vice president. The recent presentation of a plaque recognized his service in that leadership role.

The Metropolitan Chiefs Association, which was founded in 1999, meets regularly to provide opportunities for law enforcement leaders to network, discuss current crime trends and share information about public safety.

For Hilscher, the value of the organization has extended beyond the title of president. He said the association gives law enforcement leaders an opportunity to learn from one another and maintain relationships with other agencies throughout the metro area.

“I think it’s just nice networking,” Hilscher said. “If there’s a question or something that I have, I’m able to easily send an email or call another police chief or command staff, another agency to ask questions and vice versa.”

That network can be particularly useful when departments encounter emerging issues or changes in law enforcement practices. Hilscher pointed to the recent increase in electric bikes as one example, saying chiefs can communicate with one another about how their departments are addressing similar issues.

The association also provides a way for departments to compare policies and approaches. Hilscher said that when one agency is considering a change, such as a uniform policy, members can ask other departments what their policies look like rather than having to contact agencies individually. Mayor Clint Adams said those relationships have value for Bennington beyond the police department itself.

“It strengthens those relationships. Law enforcement depends heavily on cooperation, especially when an incident crosses jurisdictional lines,” Adams said. “Having Chief Hilscher involved with other chiefs gives Bennington another opportunity to build those relationships and share information and resources.”

Adams said Hilscher’s involvement also gives Bennington a presence among other law enforcement leaders.

“It’s a great reflection on Bennington and the quality of our police department,” Adams said. “Having Chief Hilscher serve in that role gives Bennington a voice at the table with other law enforcement leaders and shows that our department is respected beyond our community.”

Hilscher said his experience with Metro Chiefs has also influenced his approach to leading the Bennington Police Department.

“I think it’s been helpful from being a patrol officer, then running a drug task force into becoming a police chief,” he said.

Hilscher noted that his background has allowed him to maintain relationships with officers working in the field and hear directly about both the positive and negative aspects of their work.

“I think a lot of that has shaped me into a better chief, to be more open minded of something that I think has been lost a lot in these larger agencies because they don’t really hear a lot of what the officers that were on the road need or the detectives, what they need,” Hilscher said. “Just being present and still working and having a relationship with a lot of those officers has been pretty helpful.”

That emphasis on experience and communication has also contributed to the department’s approach to specialized training, Hilscher said.

Bennington has hired several officers with backgrounds at the Omaha Police Department, including officers who received training through the Omaha Police Academy and worked on specialized teams. Hilscher said those officers have brought additional knowledge and skills to BPD and can provide specialized training within the department.

“When there’s a question or if we need a little extra special training, we have officers in house to help with that,” he said.

Mayor Adams said the city’s approach to training and resources is based in part on the needs officers encounter in the field.

“We look at the needs of our community, the challenges our officers are seeing in the field, and changes in law enforcement practices,” Adams said. “We also listen to Chief Hilscher and his officers about where additional training or equipment can make the biggest difference.”

“The goal is to make responsible investments that improve safety and preparedness,” he added.

Hilscher said the department’s range of experience has also helped BPD prepare for higher-risk situations while continuing to handle the everyday needs of a growing community. Rather than expecting every officer to have the same specialty, Hilscher said the department can draw on officers’ different backgrounds and areas of expertise when particular situations arise.

For example, officers with previous experience conducting high-risk search warrants can help lead those operations and train other officers. Hilscher said his own background is more focused on search warrants, investigations and narcotics, while other officers have more specialized knowledge involving firearms.

The result, he said, is a department able to make use of the varied experience among its officers. That represents a change from earlier years of the department, according to Hilscher, who worked part time for Bennington for approximately four years before becoming chief.

“I think the community realizes that they actually have a more knowledgeable police department now than what they had before,” Hilscher said.

He said that previously, Bennington would often turn matters such as search warrants over to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office or Nebraska State Patrol. With a fully staffed department and officers bringing specialized experience to BPD, Hilscher said the department is now able to handle more of those responsibilities internally.

For the city, Adams said that development is part of preparing the department for Bennington’s continued growth.

“Chief Hilscher has brought a strong focus on professionalism, training, and being proactive,” Adams emphasized. “He’s worked to make sure our officers have the skills and resources they need as Bennington continues to grow, while keeping community relationships at the center of what we do.”

As the city continues to grow, Adams said the city and police department will continue evaluating the department’s needs.

“As Bennington continues to grow, we’ll continue looking at ways to stay ahead of that growth,” Adams said. “That includes specialized training, technology, emergency preparedness, and maintaining strong partnerships with neighboring agencies.”

“We want to make sure our police department has the tools and training necessary to serve the community well today and into the future,” he added.