Campus/Area
Police chief finds dream
Community is the key to Olin's goal in law enforcement
By JAVAN OWENS
After joining the Lawrence police force in 1971 as a way of financing his education, he began to think that maybe the place for that career was in his hometown department.
Even as a child, Ron Olin wanted to be an officer of the law.
"I telt I could be more of a help in the community I grew up in." Olin said.
Olin advanced quickly at the department. He became an administrative assistant in 1976, a lieutenant in 1977 and assistant police chief in 1980. Tomorrow, it will have been one week since he became the highest paid police officer in the city, replacing retired police chief Richard Stanwix.
Colleagues, such as KU police director Jim Denney, have no doubt
about his qualifications, Denney said that Olin was instrumental in cooperation between Lawrence police, KU office, or the Douglas County sheriff's office.
"In the last decade, we have been able to serve the community better because of our cooperation, and Ron has been a major factor in that cooperation." Denney said.
"The higher the professional standards are in a police department, the least likely the chances are of inappropriate behavior." Olin said.
Olin said he would strive to attain the highest degree of professionalism in the department. Professionalism is something the 37-year-old police chief doesn't take lightly. Olin is as meticulous about every minute detail of his wardrobe — his crisp, dark, Brooks Brothers suits, starched, snow-white oxford shirts and colorful ties — as he is about the minute aspects of police business. He calls it "being attentive to detail."
Lisa Jones/KANSAN
His colleague, Lt. Mike Hall, said that Olin succeeded at playing the part of a professional.
"His professionalism is demonstrated through his efforts to educate himself," Hall said.
Ron Olin is the new Lawrence police chief. He replaced retired chief Richard Stanwix on Dec. 1.
Olin, who received a doctorate in developmental psychology from KU, has attended the Federal Bureau of Investigation national police academy as well as a police academy in Germany.
"The essence to police conduct is proper police training," and the police officer's performance is what people base their opinions of the agency on, he said. "If the officer's performance is not good, then people will have a poor opinion of the department he represents."
It was not until the early '70s that people began to recognize the importance of having well-trained officers. Grants and other financial assistance became available to people who wanted to work in law enforcement, Oln said. He is a product of that era.
Denney said that Olin's education at home and abroad made him more sensitive to the diversity in his own backyard. Denney, who majored in Slavic languages, said that Olin, who is fluent in German and has some knowledge of French, was a man after his own heart.
University Daily Kansan / Monday, December 7, 1987
"We both know the value of simply being aware that other cultures exist in the world, especially in this community that has world-wide cultures.
"Some call it tolerance, but I call it understandment," Deney said.
Hall attributes Olin's sensitivity to his sense of community spirit.
"Because of the diversity in people and in cultures," he said, "the police can't be the last to change in a growing town."
"It is important that police stay in touch with those we work for," Hall said. "Ron is in touch with his community. He's involved and interested in what happens in Lawrence — that's a part of his personal."
Olin said, "People's opinions are important to me," Olin said. "I value others suggestions and thoughts."
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