Dakota County Sheriff’s Office deputy provides security services at Inver Hills
Deputy Lucas Martin of the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office serves full-time providing security services on campus at Inver Hills Community College. Deputy Martin took on this role in September 2020. His duties include maintaining safety and security on the college’s campus and grounds. He also covers vehicle lockouts, student escorts and medical issues. He assists the college’s safety/security team as needed.
Deputy Martin started at the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office in 2017 as a correctional deputy. He became a licensed peace officer in 2019. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Law Enforcement with a Minor in Psychology from Minnesota State University Mankato. Deputy Martin is currently enrolled in the Human Services-Forensic Behavioral Health graduate program at Concordia University, St. Paul.
“The graduate program at Concordia is designed to teach about forensic behavioral health topics such as: trauma, PTSD, mental illness, adverse childhood experiences, substance abuse, domestic violence, and cultural awareness and understanding,” Deputy Martin said. “Prior to enrolling, I began helping a partner who is working on a mental health team within Dakota County. Seeing the rise in mental health calls nationwide and locally, I knew I needed to learn more to be able to help those who are in need of services.”
Deputy Martin related that having his Master of Arts (M.A.) will be beneficial for his career for numerous reasons, but he is thinking specifically about teaching mental health in a law enforcement program in the future.
“I am currently in the process of becoming a mental health trainer for my department as well as a coach for the Minnesota Crisis Intervention Team (MN CIT), which trains officers throughout the state,” Deputy Martin said. “The 40-hour CIT course, which uses professional actors in scenarios, is now required by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) for all licensed peace officers.”
“Deputy Martin is an asset to our college campus as he understands that the success of our students is the primary outcome sought. Deputy Martin is approachable and very open to having conversations. If you see Deputy Martin on campus, I encourage you to start a conversation.”
Tony Pangal
Director of Safety and Security
Inver Hills Community College
Dakota County Technical College
Tony Pangal: Director of Safety & Security perspective…
Tony Pangal serves as director of safety and security at Inver Hills and Dakota County Technical College. Tony is happy to have Deputy Martin on the college’s security services team.
“Deputy Martin demonstrates an ability to engage students, faculty and staff,” Tony said. “He has been proactive connecting with students and mentoring them. Deputy Martin has a positive attitude and excellent communication and interpersonal skills, which have made him successful in his new role.”
Tony reported that Deputy Martin can be seen walking the campus and inside buildings several times a day along with checking the grounds and lots. He often stops and talks with students, faculty and staff just to see how their days are going.
“Deputy Martin assists students with answering questions they may have regarding a homework assignment or technology challenge they may be facing,” Tony added. “Deputy Martin is an asset to our college campus as he understands that the success of our students is the primary outcome sought. He is approachable and very open to having conversations. If you see Deputy Martin on campus, I encourage you to start a conversation.”
Who are Minnesota’s Peace Officers?¹
Minnesota Statute 626.84, charges Minnesota’s licensed peace officers with the prevention and detection of crime and the enforcement of general criminal laws of the state, and, gives them full power of arrest.
But Minnesota’s peace officers do more. They work to solve problems and respond to emergencies in our communities. They do what it takes to protect and promote the peace and safety of Minnesotans.
More about Deputy Martin…
Lucas is recently married. He and his wife have two, four-legged family members, a dog named Mona and a cat named Simba. In his free time, Lucas enjoys mountain biking, hiking, snowboarding, weightlifting, gaming, woodworking, and being with friends and family.
Lucas and his family reside in the Twin Cities south metro area.
Mona & Simba
One word that best describes your time at Inver Hills:
INSIGHTFUL
Lucas Martin • Q & A
What do you like most about your deputy role at Inver Hills?
When I have a chance to connect with students.
Why did you choose law enforcement as your career field?
I wanted to be able to help those in need and to serve my community.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your life on the job?
Not as many students on campus so it is harder to make connections. No events on campus really, either.
Three words that describe you as a law enforcement professional:
LEADER. COMPASSIONATE. DILIGENT.
What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
Having to see people at their worst; seeing death and pain.
What is one thing every law enforcement professional needs to know?
Slow down, take your time and think if you have time. We are paid by the hour and do not need to rush through calls. Be respectful and kind with everyone.
What person has influenced you the most in life?
I would say both of my parents have had a great influence on my life and have been very supportive of me.
Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
Most likely as an investigator or potentially a sergeant.
Safety & Security
The Inver Hills Community College Public Safety department is responsible for providing a safe and secure atmosphere for all students, employees and visitors on all property owned, leased or occupied by Inver Hills.
Star Alert
Get time-sensitive emergency notifications from campus leaders and the Public Safety department, within minutes via phone calls, texts and/or emails.
Visit the Emergency Preparedness Webpage
Safety & Security Emergency Management Plan
The Shared Services Inver Hills and DCTC Safety & Security Emergency Management Plan ensures that college administration is prepared to deal with natural disasters such as floods and fires, technological accidents, and biological and man-made emergencies.
This plan details the processes and procedures for the mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery processes in response to emergency conditions that may occur at either campus location. These standard procedures are designed to ensure maximum protection of students, staff, and property in the event of an emergency; and to ensure the preservation of organizational communications during emergency conditions.
Safety & Security Emergency Management Plan
About the department
The Public Safety department enforces campus policies and the student code of conduct; and through mutual aid, assists with enforcement of local, state and federal laws. For additional security services, Public Safety also contracts with the local police department.
LEARN MORE...
Dakota County Sheriff’s Office²
Mission statement
To provide professional, progressive, and proactive service while maintaining the public trust.
History
In 1849, the Dakota County was created as part of the original nine counties in Minnesota. The population at that time was more than 1,000 Native Americans and 149 white settlers. In 1853, A.R. French was appointed as the first Sheriff of Dakota County.
Citizens in Dakota County felt a need for a county jail, even before they felt the need to build a courthouse. Construction on the jail began in 1870. Construction of the courthouse began one year later, in 1871.
When the United States began to motorize, deputies could be seen patrolling the county on motorcycles as well as automobiles.
The 1930s was an era of change in the county—marked by violence and organized crime activity. These changes were felt by the law enforcement community with the murder of Deputy Rudolph Fischer at the jail by a burglar he had earlier arrested. Leo Pavlak, a South St. Paul officer, was killed by a member of the notorious Ma Barker Gang. Deputies and the Hastings Police Chief chased John Dillinger’s vehicle over the Spiral Bridge. One of Dillinger’s gang members was killed by a Hastings police officer.
Dakota County has grown to be the third most heavily populated county in the state, following Hennepin and Ramsey counties. It is the fastest growing county (numerically) in the State of Minnesota. The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office has grown to include nearly 200 employees.
LEARN MORE…
Lucas Martin • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Mountain biking
Place you would most like to visit: Australia- The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Studied abroad; trip to Italy and Switzerland
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Buy back the camp I used to work at and restart it 2) Retire and travel the world 3) Find some good charities
- Favorite TV show you’re watching now: The Mandalorian, Futurama and Seinfeld for all time
- Best movie you’ve seen lately: The Outpost
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Travel the world
Your national bird if you were your own country: Bald eagle- Dream occupation: Astronaut
- Person you would most like to meet: Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker)
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Flying a helicopter
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Global warming
Learn more about Safety & Security at Inver Hills by contacting:
Anthony Pangal
Director of Campus Safety and Security
Inver Hills Community College
Dakota County Technical College
651-450-3545
651-583-4933 (Cell)
More Safety & Security contacts:
Emergencies: 911
Campus Security/Request an Escort: 651-450-3711
Health and Safety Officer: 651-450-3555
Campus Supervisor: 651-450-3343 or 3348
