Richard F. Krause
Bel Air Police Department
Bel Air, MD
Senior Officer Richard Krause was nominated by Ryan Behnken of Worthington Financial Partners.
BIOGRAPHY:
Before his service with the Bel Air Police Department, Senior Officer Richard "Rick" F. Krause served as a Military Policeman in the United States Army from 1994 to 1999. He was selected for high-profile and sensitive assignments, including being on the private security team for General Wesley Clark in Panama, the private security team for Senator John Glenn, and military security duties for President William Jefferson Clinton. His selection for these assignments was based on exceptional qualities recognized by his superiors. An additional early exhibition of this Officer's drive for optimal job performance was becoming self-taught and fluent in Spanish, a skill and attribute significantly contributing to his current position.
In October of 2004, Senior Officer Krause was hired by the Bel Air Police Department, where he has evolved into a fantastic officer who has instinctively managed to blend superior interpersonal and social skills with that of a seasoned law enforcement officer.
In February of 2011, Senior Officer Krause was handpicked for the crucial role of School Resource Officer for the Town of Bel Air. Despite initial reservations, this duty has transformed into his life's mission and unwavering commitment. His level of expertise has grown to such an extent that the Town of Bel Air's school resource responsibilities now extend to all private schools, a testament to his dedication and effectiveness.
SRO responsibilities include:
Most importantly, he is the first to respond to and eliminate any threats the schools face.
Despite the presence of criminal activity, crime statistics in the Town of Bel Air remain low in comparison to the population of its school system, which nearly equals the town's resident population of 10,000. This success can be largely attributed to the 'hands-on' approach that Senior Officer Krause has fostered in the SRO and Explorer Programs, instilling a sense of security and protection in the community.
PAST RECOGNITION:
Senior Officer Krause has been nominated for and received dozens of awards and departmental commendations throughout his career. Some of these include Maryland Municipal League’s “2015 Top Cop Award;” Bel Air Moose Center 1952 “2015 Public Safety Recognition Award;” American Legion National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year nominee (2018); Bel Air Lions Club - Heart of a Lion Award (2022); runner-up for Best of Harford – Law Enforcement Officer (2023). Senior Officer Krause has earned legendary status in Harford County, Maryland, reinforced by this level of recognition by the department and community.
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Two School Resource Officers (SROs) are in the Town of Bel Air. Senior Officer Krause is the primary SRO. The Bel Air Police Department School Resource Officer Program is responsible for law enforcement oversight of nearly 6,000 students and almost 800 teachers and staff. This responsibility extends to two high schools (one public and one private), one middle school, two public elementary schools, and two private elementary/middle schools. Senior Officer Krause's primary responsibility is to protect the children, and he would sacrifice his life to save the children from any potential threat. Some of his ancillary duties include handling incidents that are serious, such as child abuse, child neglect, weapons crimes, emergency evaluations, drug activity, and assaults. He also provides peer and mentoring support for school students, frequently participating in morale and team-building activities. Senior Officer Krause has become critical to the Bel Air school system's operational needs. He is often called during off-duty hours for advice and direction by school staff and parents based on the high trust level that has been established.
Additionally, Senior Officer Krause oversees the Bel Air Police Department Explorer Post 9010 (for children and young adults between the ages of 14 and 21). This program trains teens and young adults in many aspects of law enforcement. The Explorer program also closely works with the Boy Scouts of America (Baltimore Area Council), which supports and charters the Explorer Post. The Explorer program promotes discipline, responsibility, high moral standards, good grades, and active community involvement. There are over thirty (30) active members, one of the highest participation levels of similar programs in Harford County, Maryland. Senior Officer Krause volunteers hundreds of hours of his time to ensure that this program succeeds and flourishes. The Explorer program provides an outlet for youth who seek a structured/disciplined lifestyle and who enjoy giving back to the community. The free services extended to the community by the members of the Explorer group have become highly sought after and regarded. These services to non-profit Town-oriented organizations range from assisting with traffic direction at local community events to cleaning and preparing event venues. The discipline-based program provides a head-start in the importance of chain of command, discipline, and drill and ceremony protocol for youth seeking careers in any of our country's law enforcement/military services. There are also several team-building field trips with the group throughout the year. Some field trips have been to the Gettysburg battlefield and similar leadership-oriented venues. Dozens of former Bel Air Police Department Explorer members are now faithfully serving our country's EMS, law enforcement, and military organizations, as well as serving in other honorable career fields.
Senior Officer Krause leads the Bel Air Police Explorer Youth Camp (for children between 8 and 14). The Youth Camp provides a low-cost child-care alternative for citizens in the Town of Bel Air and surrounding communities. The child-friendly law enforcement-oriented program consists of daily drills, games, lessons, and demonstrations by Bel Air officers, Explorers, and others. The tremendously popular camp typically fills within weeks. Usually, there are two sessions with more than 70 children enrolled in the camps during the rating period. Senior Officer Krause (and his wife Gina) spend hundreds of hours providing guidance, feeding the children, leading approximately ½ dozen volunteers and Explorers who assist in running the camp each day, and helping to prepare a graduation video. The event concludes with a graduation ceremony where the camp video is presented, along with awards and lunch. Many of these youth camp attendees advance to Explorers. The low-cost tuition from this camp is channeled back to the Explorer Program and scholarship funding for Explorers who pursue college educations.
Senior Officer Krause and his volunteer team are the primary organizers of the Bel Air Explorer Post 9010 Basket Bingo fundraising program, which is an immensely popular community event that always sells out. Thousands of dollars are raised to support the Explorer program, which again is funding channeled back to the Explorer program.
Senior Officer Krause has a strong partnership with the Bel Air Lion's Club. "The Lion's Club" is part of the World's largest service organization – Lions Clubs International, with over 1.3 million volunteers in over 200 countries. The Bel Air Lions Club and Foundation annually provides over $40,000 in donations and other services to the local community. Senior Officer Krause and the Bel Air Police Explorer Post 9010 have partnered with the Bel Air Lion's Club to host an annual Child Safety Fair. The event focuses on providing free fingerprinting and identification cards to children and their families. The Bel Air Lions also offer free eye exams for children and adults. There are also moon bounces, face painting, a petting zoo, food trucks, and other forms of entertainment at the fall event.
Senior Officer Krause and his wife Gina often voluntarily attend countywide child-oriented events. Officer Krause's wife frequently assists in his presentation by donning the "McGruff Crime Dog" costume at community events.
At the end of the school year, one of the activities that Senior Officer Krause enjoys is a secondary job as an Ocean City Lifeguard. He has been performing this additional service for the public since graduation from high school. He has been responsible for over 250 water rescues in this other, extraordinary service to his community (10 years of service). Senior Officer Krause has also recruited several Explorers to this other exceptional public service career field. Senior Officer Krause is also the most active recruiter for his Department and is responsible for recruiting several officer candidates for the Bel Air Police Department. Throughout his career, he has recruited two (2) dispatchers, three (3) law enforcement officers, and one (1) parking enforcement officer.
In addition to his many responsibilities, duties, and obligations, Senior Officer Krause ensures that he maintains exceptional health and fitness. Daily, after fulfilling all his other commitments, Senior Officer Krause works out in his gym. He aims to ensure that he maintains the peak physical and mental fitness possible to best serve and protect the children and citizens in the Town of Bel Air. He has competed in past Iron Man triathlons and bodybuilding competitions, typically finishing at the top of his categories. Senior Officer Krause also serves as the Department's physical fitness instructor and provides advice and direction concerning diet management. He also prepares and trains recruits for future police academy life. He shares his experience and lessons with Explorers about the importance of physical fitness and proper diet.
The positive mindset and faith of Senior Officer Krause were recently instrumental in helping him and his family navigate a family hardship. His daughter, Olivia (18 years old), was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma stage four cancer in August of 2023. Thankfully, she has since been treated and is cancer-free as of March 2024.
"Time and again, Senior Officer Krause has demonstrated that he is the best possible selection for his assignment as sentinel and guardian of our children. His mental and physical prowess relative to leading, protecting, mentoring, and teaching are the attributes that define this modern-day law enforcement hero. Programs such as the Bel Air Explorer Post and the School Resource Officer Program provide a direct and indirect crime deterrent by promoting healthy child/teen development. Senior Officer Krause is a strong and disciplined role model for children and fellow officers who offers advice and direction concerning sobriety, crime prevention, health, and physical fitness. Without question, he is an extraordinary example of success and wholesome living for all to follow. The exceptional relationship that the community shares with the Town of Bel Air can be attributed to Senior Officer Krause's hard work and vision," said Charles Moore, Chief of Police for the Bel Air Police Department.
Top Cop Award
Christmas Shopping
Bike Patrol