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Lakes Area Youth Services Bureau (LAYSB) is pleased to announce Lakes Area Police Officer Cory Spencer is the recipient of the 2014 James Trudeau Law Enforcement Award.  This award is given annually by LAYSB to law enforcement personnel who rise above and beyond their job duties to help break down barriers between youth and adults through extraordinary compassion, leadership, and dedication.

 Currently a patrol officer, Officer Spencer joined the department in 2005 and spent five of the last few years as a School Resource Officer at Chisago Lakes High School.  But his involvement with youth didn’t stop there.  “I didn’t just want to be the big, bad cop that a kid would see only when they were in trouble,”   Officer Spencer said. He wants kids to know that even if they’ve made bad choices, law enforcement is a community resource that is there for them and cares about them.  He creates many opportunities, both with his job and in his personal life, to convey that message.  “High fives, look them in the eye, call them by their name, and say hello, even if I did just arrest them last week,” he said.   Officer Spencer also volunteers as both a coach and officiates with many of the local youth sports teams.

His commitment to the safety and well-being of our youth is expansive.  Officer Spencer presents the DARE program to 4th and 5th graders and is a board member of the DARE Officers’ Association.  His passion for helping kids to stay safe also motivates him to be a lead instructor for the MN DNR youth safety courses for firearms, ATV, and snowmobile safety.  He is president of the Minnesota Juvenile Officers’ Association and heads up the high school two-day “Mock Crash” program helping kids to understand the consequences of poor decisions.  Officer Spencer chairs the Chisago Lakes Area Safety Camp committee, which provides kids a local camp to meet and learn about safety from local public safety officials for the day.
Officer Spencer has referred juveniles and their families to the LAYSB and believes its approach is beneficial to everyone.  “I have always had a positive relationship with the LAYSB staff.  LAYSB is a good option for both youth and our communities for reducing recidivism and taking some burden off of the courts,” he shared.

Officer Spencer’s passion and dedication, whether on the baseball field or the streets, mirrors the passion and dedication LAYSB’s co-founder, the late James (Jim) Trudeau, had for the keeping youth safe.  Jim had 35 plus years in law enforcement, and was a retired Washington County Sheriff, past Forest Lake Police Chief, and past Sheriff's Association Executive Director. LAYSB congratulates Office Spencer on this well-deserved award and recognition and thank him for his service.

Please join in presenting the award Wednesday, May 13 during the Police Commission Meeting, which begins at 5 pm at Lindstrom City Hall. A reception will be held immediately following the presentation in the community room off of the Council chambers. The public is invited and expected to attend.

LAYSB is a 501 c3 tax exempt nonprofit organization serving Forest Lake Area School District communities in Washington and Anoka Counties and all communities in Chisago County.  The mission of LAYSB is to ensure the success of youth. LAYSB encourages and supports all youth in developing strong and healthy relationships and engaging in relevant learning experiences and meaningful involvement opportunities in their community.  For more information, visit our website at www.ysblakesarea.org

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