• Home
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Contact
Lake Legal News
  • Home
  • News
  • Favorite Topics
    • An LLN Interview
    • Publisher’s Personal Favorites
    • Odds & Ends
    • Of Interest to Lawyers
    • Civil & Criminal
    • From Our Archives
    • Of Interest to LLN
    • Humor’s Last Stand
    • Guest Author
    • Book Review
  • Online Only!
  • Read Our Magazines
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Favorite Topics
    • An LLN Interview
    • Publisher’s Personal Favorites
    • Odds & Ends
    • Of Interest to Lawyers
    • Civil & Criminal
    • From Our Archives
    • Of Interest to LLN
    • Humor’s Last Stand
    • Guest Author
    • Book Review
  • Online Only!
  • Read Our Magazines
No Result
View All Result
Lake Legal News
No Result
View All Result
Home Our Magazine's Overflow

Social Media Shows The Lighter Side Of Lake County Law Enforcement

by Marilyn M. Aciego, LLN Editor-in-Chief
February 26, 2020 12:28 am
in Our Magazine's Overflow
Social Media Shows The Lighter Side Of Lake County Law Enforcement
1.3k
SHARES
2.1k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare by Email
[PHOTO CREDITS: Bonnie Whicher]

[Original Publish Date: 02/13/20]

(Have news tips for LLN?… 352Tips@gmail.com.)

Social media sometimes gets a bad rap, but it has opened doors for law enforcement they never imagined.  

While most law enforcement agencies in Lake County have a Facebook page, there is just something different about the Tavares Police Department and Eustis Police Department pages. Eustis Police Officer Lauren Brown has created an alter ego — Major Trooper — who comes with his very own set of policies.

Brown has used the character to have fun with the community, both on Facebook and in person. Major Trooper has attended many events including the recent Georgefest Chili Cook-off, Family Fun Day and homeowner’s association meetings.  “When he’s not around, people ask me where he is,” Brown tells Lake Legal News.  

Major Trooper is a favorite of a local 8-year-old boy — his mom told Brown that when her son saw the character, Major Trooper made his entire day.  “We like to show people if they’re having a bad day, the police department doesn’t just catch criminals. We’re here to brighten your day.”

The residents seem to love Major Trooper. “I have personally received countless positive comments from people that I meet in the community about our posts on Facebook.  These folks range from children to older citizens. People like to see that we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” explains Eustis Police Chief Gary Calhoun.

Some may think silly posts on Facebook are unprofessional for a police department, but Calhoun disagrees. “I feel it is good for the community to see the humorous side of police officers,” he explains to LLN. “They see us more like real people if they can tell we have a sense of humor.”

On January 3, 2020, Major Trooper was borne from a gift from Brown’s younger sister. Calhoun was out of town and Major Trooper took over and quickly posted his new policies.

“Good morning to all and Happy New Year!!! Chief Calhoun is currently on vacation and just like school we all get a substitute. Major Trooper here and I have taken command of the agency and I will like to change a few things:

1 — We will be closed on Mondays. We hate Mondays and everyone dreads them, so it’s done.

2 — All meetings on taco Tuesday will take place at Tijuana Flats.

3 — Friday’s dress down day uniform will be Hawaiian shirts, shorts and crocs.

4 — The only donuts that will be allowed are glazed and sprinkles. Sprinkles are for winners.

5 — The Fire Department will cook us dinner and admit that cops are awesome and wash all patrol vehicles.

This is the way and I have spoken!!!”

The Facebook post received numerous comments, reactions and shares and when Calhoun got back into town, he was quick to make his feelings known with a short video. The video, lasting only 5 seconds shows Calhoun walking to the door of his office and rolling Major Trooper’s helmet down the hall like a bowling ball.

But just two days later, Calhoun conceded with a new video. He states, “Due to the popularity of Major Trooper, I have decided to reinstate him to full duty and immediately implement policy No. 5,” which happens to be his favorite. “My personal favorite is the firefighters washing the police vehicles,“ Calhoun tells LLN.

When Calhoun reinstated Major Trooper, it caught the attention of Tavares Police Sgt. Sarah Coursey, who is one of the women behind TPD’s extremely popular Facebook page. The post prompted the following exchange:

Tavares Police Department: Hmmm Maybe Chief [Stoney] Lubins needs to see these polices.  

Eustis Police Department: If he needs a uniform demo test we will be happy to AOA (assist on arrival).

Tavares Police Department: Eustis Police Department let’s make this happen — have your people get with our people.

Eustis Police Department: Agreed.

Marilyn M. Aciego (Editor-in-Chief LLN): Lake Legal News needs to be notified of any demos in advance, please. The cooperation of both Eustis Police Department and Tavares Police Department is appreciated.

Eustis Police Department: Marilyn M. Aciego our Public Relations Team will make it happen.

Tavares Police Department: Let’s make this happen.

And it did.

On a quiet Wednesday a few weeks ago LLN was invited to witness the meeting of Major Trooper and Capt. Yoda. LLN  toured the new Tavares Public Safety building as Captain Yoda and Major Trooper shared coffee, donuts (with sprinkles, because sprinkles are for winners,) chickie nuggies, took over Chief Stoney Lubins’ office and most importantly forged a friendship. Expect to see more of Major Trooper and Captain Yoda on a Facebook page near you.

Coursey has been one of the women behind the page for about four years, and when the page became extremely popular, School Resource Officer Melissa Robinson came along for the ride. The pair shares everything from memes, events and wanted suspects.

Coursey said she enjoys interacting with the community, “We’re not just a badge and a uniform. [Social media] has made us more approachable.”

Coursey also has the blessing of Lubins, “The purpose is to reach a lot of the community,” he says. “It’s so easy for us to reach so many [people] at the same time.”

Using the Facebook page to identify suspects has been very successful for TPD.  Coursey estimates the department has identified at least 90 percent of the suspects they have posted, “There has only been one or two [we haven’t identified,]” she tells LLN.

“It has been extremely effective in putting wanted suspects out [in the public,]” Lubins notes.  

Coursey plans on running the TPD page the way she always has. As the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Lubins agrees, “We want to let [the public] know we are people.”

 ______________________________

Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]

Share1278TweetSend
Previous Post

Update: Boyfriend Arrested For Girlfriend’s Death In Leesburg

Next Post

Lake Man, Who Has Served Nine Prison Sentences, Is Arrested For Sexual Battery At Local Motel

Marilyn M. Aciego, LLN Editor-in-Chief

Related Posts

Saying Goodbye After 24 Years, Eustis Police Captain Shane McSheehy Leaves To Become Iowa Small-Town Chief
Our Magazine's Overflow

Saying Goodbye After 24 Years, Eustis Police Captain Shane McSheehy Leaves To Become Iowa Small-Town Chief

3 years ago
4.6k
Lake’s School Resource Deputies And K9 Max Work Straight Through The Summer
Our Magazine's Overflow

Lake’s School Resource Deputies And K9 Max Work Straight Through The Summer

3 years ago
1.2k
Lake County Inmates Help With Dire “Around The Clock” Need For COVID-19 Masks
Our Magazine's Overflow

Lake County Inmates Help With Dire “Around The Clock” Need For COVID-19 Masks

3 years ago
1.3k
Meet A Public Information Officer: Lauren Brown
Our Magazine's Overflow

Meet A Public Information Officer: Lauren Brown

4 years ago
1.5k
The Nuts And Bolts Of The Bail Bond Business
Our Magazine's Overflow

The Nuts And Bolts Of The Bail Bond Business

4 years ago
598
OPINION:  “OBSTRUCTION BY DISGUISE” ARREST IS NOT LOOKING SO PRETTY
Our Magazine's Overflow

OPINION: “OBSTRUCTION BY DISGUISE” ARREST IS NOT LOOKING SO PRETTY

4 years ago
651

WhatPeople are Watching

  • VIOLENT MAN BONDS OUT TO COMMIT ONE OF LAKE’S MOST HORRIFIC RECIDIVIST ATTACKS

    VIOLENT MAN BONDS OUT TO COMMIT ONE OF LAKE’S MOST HORRIFIC RECIDIVIST ATTACKS

    2483 shares
    Share 2483 Tweet 0
  • Jacksonville Man Drives 130 Miles For Mount Dora 11-Year-Old, Sneaks In Bedroom Window For Sex Acts On Video

    133 shares
    Share 133 Tweet 0
  • Lake County Jail To Release Nearly 50 Inmates Within The Next Several Hours

    7558 shares
    Share 7558 Tweet 0
  • Mystery Abounds In Developing Story As Body Is Found In Tavares Waterway Near Palm Gardens Marina

    1929 shares
    Share 1929 Tweet 0
  • Woman Rolls Stolen Vehicle After Chasing “Baby Daddy” Through Eustis — 14 Charges Pending

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

OurMost Recent in Time

Tavares Man Arrested For Arson — Police Have Responded To Location 25 Times In The Past Year

Tavares Man Arrested For Arson — Police Have Responded To Location 25 Times In The Past Year

June 9, 2021
2.2k
Mount Dora Man Erupts In Violence Twice Within A Week — Additional Drug Charges Pending

Mount Dora Man Erupts In Violence Twice Within A Week — Additional Drug Charges Pending

June 9, 2021
3k
Clermont Man Tells Boy, ‘Go Get Your Father So I Can Kill Him With My Bare Hands’

Clermont Man Tells Boy, ‘Go Get Your Father So I Can Kill Him With My Bare Hands’

June 2, 2021
4.4k
Man Points Gun At Juvenile’s Forehead In Sorrento To ‘Teach The Boy Respect’

Man Points Gun At Juvenile’s Forehead In Sorrento To ‘Teach The Boy Respect’

June 2, 2021
3.1k
Eustis Police Find Deplorable Conditions As 11 Men And Women Jailed Following Search Warrant Near School

Eustis Police Find Deplorable Conditions As 11 Men And Women Jailed Following Search Warrant Near School

May 29, 2021
10.4k
Bike Ride With Eustis Police Chief A Success

Bike Ride With Eustis Police Chief A Success

June 9, 2021
594
Man With Suspended License Flees Deadly Crash Scene — Is Located In Leesburg And Jailed

Man With Suspended License Flees Deadly Crash Scene — Is Located In Leesburg And Jailed

June 8, 2021
2.6k
Driver Leaves His Lane, Kills Another Driver In Head-On Collision In Astor

Tragedy As Villages Woman’s Vehicle Strikes And Kills Unidentified Man Pushing Bicycle

June 2, 2021
1.8k
Lake Legal News

Lake Legal News

Published since 2009, Lake Legal News is a high-quality, glossy magazine blending current events with both topical and historical profiles of Lake County, Florida, attorneys, judges, police officers, elected officials, and residents. (Our website also offers breaking news and web exclusives.)

Learn how to Advertise with us here.

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • An LLN Interview
  • Book Review
  • Civil & Criminal
  • From Our Archives
  • From Our Current Issue
  • Guest Author
  • Humor's Last Stand
  • LLN'S Hot Headlines
  • Odds & Ends
  • Of Interest to Lawyers
  • Of Interest to LLN
  • Our Magazine's Overflow
  • Preview Our Next Issue
  • Publisher's Personal Favorites
  • Take A Second Look:
  • Uncategorized

Take One Last Look

Bike Ride With Eustis Police Chief A Success

Bike Ride With Eustis Police Chief A Success

June 9, 2021
594
Man With Suspended License Flees Deadly Crash Scene — Is Located In Leesburg And Jailed

Man With Suspended License Flees Deadly Crash Scene — Is Located In Leesburg And Jailed

June 8, 2021
2.6k
Driver Leaves His Lane, Kills Another Driver In Head-On Collision In Astor

Tragedy As Villages Woman’s Vehicle Strikes And Kills Unidentified Man Pushing Bicycle

June 2, 2021
1.8k
  • Home
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2009-2019 James Hope D/B/A Lake Legal News, located in Tavares, Florida.
Design by Artisan Internet Marketing, located in Mount Dora, Florida.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Favorite Topics
    • An LLN Interview
    • Publisher’s Personal Favorites
    • Odds & Ends
    • Of Interest to Lawyers
    • Civil & Criminal
    • From Our Archives
    • Of Interest to LLN
    • Humor’s Last Stand
    • Guest Author
    • Book Review
  • Online Only!
  • Read Our Magazines

© 2009-2019 James Hope D/B/A Lake Legal News, located in Tavares, Florida.
Design by Artisan Internet Marketing, located in Mount Dora, Florida.