02/03/2017
Spotlight on Community, presented by Security National Mortgage. Please like and share.
Envoy Mortgage Spotlight on Community is very pleased to present Burlington Police Chief, Mark Anderson. He is a person that leads with heart, protects with strength, and guides by example. I had the pleasure to sit down with Mark on January 18, 2017. I left this meeting with a great sense of pride in our Burlington community and renewed faith in humanity.
Mark is originally from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. His family made the official move to Burlington when he was 8 years old. Mark graduated from Burlington High School and went on to attend University of Wisconsin-Parkside to obtain a degree in Computer Science. In 1993, Mark married the love of his life, whom he worked with at a radio station. Mark and his wife live in her hometown of Waterford, WI. They have two beautiful children. His son currently attends Waterford High School and has a love for history. His daughter is working toward her degree in social work and psychology, as a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Mark’s work at the radio station played an integral part in his soon-to-be lifelong career as one of Burlington’s Men in Blue. In 1994, an opening for a dispatcher became available in the Burlington Police Department. Mark’s ability to speak calmly and react in a cool manner aided in his success as a dispatcher. Mark spent 5 years, assisting our citizens in this capacity. During this time, he built relationships within the department and the Burlington community. When a position opened for an officer, it was a no-brainer for Mark. He knew this is where he needed to be. In 2001, the Burlington Police Department sponsored and sent Mark for his police academy training in Appleton, WI. Mark's career offered many different experiences since he worked in many different capacities as an officer. In 2007, Mark was promoted to Lieutenant. In 2010, he stepped in as acting Chief and solidified this position in August 2015.
When I asked Mark if he felt his mindset was different from when he was a young police officer to now, he replied, “I always try to treat everyone, no matter what, with the same level of respect and understanding. I try to have empathy for all circumstances. ” This is the same attitude Mark has had from day one. His work embodies dedication, integrity for the law, an understanding of individuality, and a desire to keep morals and values at the forefront of our community. Mark’s ability to enhance our community is clearly seen in how he guides his officers. He instills the same beliefs that he holds dear to him, in them. He teaches, through his own actions and words to every police officer, the belief that “every day is so varied and every encounter is so new that these experiences should be treated with fresh eyes.” He stated, “Every day is a new day and every encounter is a new experience. If not seen this way, it can be really easy to get burned out on the job.”
Our Chief finds that the most rewarding part of his current positon comes with overseeing the training and mentoring of the new sergeants and officers. Mark said, “It is great to see the young officers grow and work in this community. Our young officers become part of the community and have a positive effect on our community.” We have 20 officers that serve and protect Burlington. Mark believes, “This is a great group of dedicated officers.”
Burlington has many programs that work in conjunction with the police department. Many of you may have heard of them. For those of you who have not, I recommend checking them out. Just to name a few, Safety Town, Shop with a Cop, the Racine County Task Force, and the Shadow Program. Each offers an opportunity for officers to interface with the community. Specifically, the Shadow Program offers a great experience for our youth to experience a day in the life of a police officer. Information on this is available at Burlington High School. Officer Jodi Borchardt, the school’s police liaison, can help with information on how to sign up for this program.
The Burlington community appreciates what Chief Mark Anderson does for our community. Mark leads an excellent group of men and women who serve and protect. Keep up the great work and stay safe!
