Scottsbluff Chief of Police and City Manager Kevin Spencer was recognized with the League of Nebraska Municipalities, League Distinguished Service Award. The League recognized Spencer for his exceptional leadership, dedication and advocacy resulting in passage of LB 1014 and LB 1241 during the 2022 legislative session.
The two bills Spencer was instrumental in getting passed have been making transformational improvements in training facilities and laws greatly benefiting law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Spencer was also a key partner in helping develop and pass other important bills for law enforcement, leading former Gov. Pete Ricketts to refer to the 2022 session as the “Year for Law Enforcement.”
The League Distinguished Service Award has not been presented since 2007 and Spencer is the first recipient who is not a State Senator. The League recognizes the tremendous work Spencer did to advocate for the passage of this landmark legislation. Numerous trips to Lincoln, countless hours on Zoom meetings with State Senators, law enforcement agencies, the League and other stakeholders.
In addition, Spencer also participated in nearly every monthly Zoom meeting Gov. Ricketts hosted with municipal officials so he could underscore the importance of allocating $50 million of the State of Nebraska’s “American Rescue Plan” funds to make COVID-19 related infrastructure improvements to the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island. As a result, former Gov. Ricketts included $47.4 million in LB 1014 in his ARP Act budget presented to the Legislature to make these needed improvements and transformational changes at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Center. Improvements included: an indoor weapons training facility, improvements to an outdoor shooting range, land acquisition for an up-to-date and safe vehicle training track, expanded cafeteria and food prep areas and new technology rooms.
Spencer also advocated for the passage of LB 1241. This bill expedited reciprocity applications of officers from other states to help address increasing vacancies in law enforcement due to several issues, including COVID, elevated caseloads, increased violence and criminal activity. LB 1241 continues to help address the ongoing statewide crisis facing law enforcement agencies on attracting and retaining officers, including applicants certified in other states.
The League thanks Chief Kevin Spencer for his extraordinary leadership, dedication and advocacy on behalf of law enforcement officers in Nebraska. The impact of Spencer’s work continues to benefit police departments across the state.
The League of Nebraska Municipalities is a nonprofit organization of cities and villages that was mobilized in the early 1900s to represent municipalities in the Legislature. The League’s functions include sponsoring educational seminars, publishing a magazine and newsletters, representing its member cities and villages on state advisory boards and answering technical questions. A priority of the organization is representing its members in the legislative process.
