Overweg settles in as new chief of public safety

Doug Kirkus remembers hiring Lyndon Overweg as a patrolman in 1988.

Eighteen years later, Overweg is now the city's chief of public safety -- the highest public safety position in Mitchell.

"I knew he would make an excellent officer," said Kirkus, a former Mitchell chief of police. "And I knew he had the potential to someday be an administrator."

Overweg, 40, of Mitchell, was named to the position earlier this month by the mayor and City Council. He had been serving as interim chief since former chief Doug Feltman retired in May.

Overweg grew up in New Holland and attended college at Dakota Wesleyan University. His interest in law enforcement was sparked by an internship at the Mitchell police department during his senior year of college.

"I never intended on staying more than one to two years," Overweg said. "I had aspirations of working for the federal government."

That soon changed.

Two years after he was hired, he was promoted to detective and then to detective sergeant. In 1999, Feltman named Overweg assistant police chief.

Kirkus said Overweg was the type of officer "you never had to worry about."

"He could take a look at a situation and see the big picture," Kirkus said.

In his new role, Overweg hopes to update the look of the police uniform and implement some new programs.

"There are some things I want to make sure we stay focused on, which is the basic police functions -- protect and serve the public, responding to calls and making sure we have enough manpower for whatever comes up," Overweg said.

Overweg said he would like to add a Reserve Police program -- a volunteer police force whose members would be certified to make arrests and carry guns. It's a program that the city has had in the past.

Under the program, more officers would be available for special events at no cost to the city. The program also could produce future full-time police officers.

"It's very common for reserve officers to apply and move into a full-time position," Overweg said.

Overweg also would like to bring back the Citizens Academy, which educates people about police and fire work.

Overweg oversees all areas of public safety, including communications, police, fire and ambulance, and the department's budget. He is chairman of the Traffic Commission.

One of his earliest tasks will be to hire an assistant police chief. He anticipates filling the position in August.

Overweg credits his predecessors and his parents with teaching him about leadership and respect. Personally, he tries to follow the Bible passage James 1:19, which says "Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."

Overweg lives in Mitchell with his wife, Jana, and their four children. He is a member of First Reformed Church, where he serves as an elder.

Kirkus said he was pleased to learn of Overweg's promotion earlier this month.

"As police chief, you always hope to build for the future," Kirkus said.