Todd Koester

Police Lieutenant

Supervise patrol shift operations, personnel deployment, and daily law enforcement activities to ensure effective service delivery, officer safety, and policy compliance.
Manage logistics, planning, and operational command for large-scale special events throughout Decatur, coordinating resources with internal units and external partners.
Lead the department’s sUAS (drone) program, overseeing operations, pilot readiness, equipment management, FAA/regulatory compliance, and mission effectiveness.
Command the Community Action Team focused on identifying and targeting violent offenders through proactive enforcement strategies and intelligence-driven policing.
Command the Emergency Response Team, directing tactical readiness, specialized training, and critical incident response operations.
Serve as Chaplain Coordinator, supporting officer wellness initiatives and coordinating peer support and crisis response resources.
Build collaborative relationships with community stakeholders to address public safety concerns, improve communication, and strengthen public trust.
Develop and deliver training programs for recruits and sworn personnel, improving preparedness, performance, and operational effectiveness.
Contribute to departmental policy development and implementation, driving improvements in procedures, accountability, and policing strategies.
Serve as Incident Commander during emergencies and high-risk events, coordinating personnel, communications, and multi-agency response efforts.

• Assigned, coordinated and reviewed the work of police officers.
• Ensured that all personnel met department standards for performance and conduct.
• Interpreted laws, regulations, policies and procedures to subordinates.
• Investigated citizen complaints against officers in accordance with established policy.
• Performed supervisory duties such as developing goals, evaluating job performance, approving leave requests, and maintaining discipline.
• Aided in developing and establishing a specialized tech-focused unit for the Decatur Police Department.
• Supervised the Community Action Team in their pursuit of violent offenders in the city of Decatur.
• Supervised team of Decatur Police Crisis Negotiators.
• Supported the Program Coordinator in overseeing the sUAS unit.

• Investigated and documented criminal activity, including interviewing witnesses and suspects.
• Developed search warrants to gain access to premises or persons of interest.
• Provided expert testimony in court proceedings related to criminal cases.
• Created detailed reports documenting investigations and findings.
• Collaborated with other law enforcement agencies to coordinate investigations.
• Followed up on leads provided by informants and other sources of information.
• Specialized in mobile and computer forensics analysis.
• Examined crimes involving cyber exploitation of minors.

• Developed a comprehensive strategy to engage members in collective bargaining activities.
• Facilitated internal communications between different levels of management within the organization.
• Attended grievance hearings as an advocate for employees who had filed complaints against their employer.
• Advised the executive board on matters pertaining to labor-management policies.
• Facilitated discussions among stakeholders during negotiations concerning collective bargaining agreements.
• Implemented collective bargaining agreements and negotiated new contracts.
• Clarified complex contract language for administrative and union comprehension.

• Investigated crimes, collected evidence, conducted interviews, wrote reports and made arrests as necessary.
• Conducted surveillance operations in order to observe suspects or collect evidence.
• Interacted with members of the community to build relationships and foster trust between law enforcement and the public.
• Attended court proceedings related to cases involving individuals arrested under their jurisdiction.