SIDNEY — The promotion of Sidney’s newest police sergeant, Matt Dembski, was officially announced to Sidney City Council during its workshop session meeting Monday evening.
Police Chief Will Balling told council Dembski was promoted upon the Feb. 28 retirement of Sgt. David Godwin.
“I’m really proud to present Matt as our next sergeant with the Sidney Police Department,” Balling told council after joking that Dembski had already made it through Cub Scouts with Council member Steve Wagner as a leader, and then later as a student when Mayor Mike Barhorst still worked at Lehman High School.
Balling said Dembski was recommended for the job after he took the civil service test last fall and became the highest ranked officer on the certified list of candidates for the position.
Dembski, a Lehman High School graduate, began working at the Sidney Police Department in 2007, and has excelled as a police officer, Balling said.
“He is always willing to volunteer and go the extra mile to see things completed correctly. His positive attitude and smile are contagious,” Balling said.
Aside from his normal patrol duties, Balling said Dembski has worked as a bike officer, a tactical response team member, an honor guard member, range officer and a field training officer. He also received the lifesaving award in 2011 and was voted as Sidney Police Officer of the Year in 2013.
Dembski and his wife, Kim, live in Sidney with their two young children.
Balling also announced a new program the police department plans to launch within the next month, in conjunction with Wilson Health and Scott Family McDonald’s, aimed to encourage children to wear a helmet while riding bikes or scooters.
Balling said Matt Dembski’s wife, Kim, approached him about the idea of officers giving tickets, or coupons, out to kids for an ice cream cone from McDonald’s in an effort to help keep them safe. Balling said Kim’s idea came from Matt working as a bike officer and from seeing numerous injuries while working at Wilson Health.
“She thought, ‘how can we do these things together?’” Balling said. “I also wanted to recognize Kim for her part because she definitely helps to support Matt, and it in turn helps to support us.”
In other business, Community Development Director Barbara Dulworth announced there will be no Zoning Board of Appeals meeting in March. However, she relayed information about the one item on the upcoming Planning Commission Agenda set for Monday, March 19. City Manager Mark Cundiff also reviewed the prospective City Council Agenda items for the next 30 days.
In addition, council went into an executive session to discuss the discipline of a public employee and the appointment of a public official. No action was taken when council emerged from the session.
Council member Darryl Thurber was absent at Monday’s meeting and was excused by council.
