POLICE

CodeRed - NEW EMERGENCY SERVICE for the entire 537 phone district - scroll down for more information

The Gothenburg Police Department employs six full time police officers, which includes the Chief Randy Olson , Sergeant Matt Langley , Officer Ryan Randolph , Officer Joe Humphrey , Officer Dustin Cullen , and Officer Jill Ostergard .  The Patrol officers work a rotating shift consisting of four ten hour shifts and three days off.  Each officer is cross trained in various patrol and investigative functions. Gothenburg Police Officers have a combined total of over 78 years experience. 

Contact an Officer:

The department has two marked and fully equipped patrol vehicles. Each patrol vehicle has a mobile data terminal in which the officers receive dispatch calls, write reports, issue citations/warnings electronically, run routine Nation wide wants and warrant checks, as well as driver and vehicle information. The vehicles are also equipped with Automatic Vehicle Locators, which provide the dispatcher with real time data on the location of the officers at all times.

The Administrative and Records hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM., Calls for service reports, accident reports, handgun purchase certificates, pet license maybe purchased during the business hours. Additionally accident reports may be purchased 7 days a week and 24 hours per day online at www.reportbeam.com

9-1-1 Emergency Phone Calls

9-1-1 and Emergency Communications for the City of Gothenburg and the surrounding 537 phone district are provided by the North Platte 9-1-1 Center.  The North Platte 9-1-1 Communications Center is the answering point for all  emergency and non-emergency calls for Law Enforcement and Fire and Rescue Units dispatched through the 9-1-1 Communications Center.  Enhanced 9-1-1 is available to all residents of Gothenburg and Dawson County .  When you call 9-1-1; your name, telephone number, and address is displayed on a computer screen. Also displayed on this screen is the police, fire, and ambulance agency that service the area from which the call is made. The person answering the phone is a highly trained clerk/dispatcher and will answer by saying 9-1-1, What is your emergency?  The dispatcher will verify your name and address and determine your emergency.  Remember!  An emergency represents an immediate threat to life and property.  If your call is determined to be a non-emergency call, you will be directed to call a non-emergency number.

When To Call

When police, fire, and medical response is needed.  When you see smoke or fire.  When life and/or property are in danger.  When a crime is being committed.  When an ambulance is necessary.

Anyone Can Call

Children should be taught to call 9-1-1 for police, fire, and medical help.  North Platte 9-1-1 center is also equipped  to handle speech and hearing impaired persons.  A communications device for the deaf (TDD) is available and is connected to the 9-1-1 center.   Simply dial 9-1-1.  

Cellular Calls

Just remember to push the send button after you dial 9-1-1.  You location is important when using a cellular phone.  When traveling, have in mind your location or familiar landmarks.  Be ready to provide the 9-1-1 center personnel with your information.  When calling from a cellular phone it is recommended that you stop your vehicle on the side of the road before calling.

Calls From A Pay Phone

When calling from a pay phone, it is not necessary to deposit coins before calling. 9-1-1 is a free call.

Non Emergency Calls

If you have a non-emergency and are in need of  help, clerk/dispatchers are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and will accept all your calls and will assure your needs are met. The clerk/dispatcher is in constant radio contact with Gothenburg police, Gothenburg Fire Department, as well as the Dawson County Communication Center , and will direct the correct personnel to meet your needs.

Computer-Aided Dispatching (CAD)

Our new state of the art Communications Center was completed in October of 1998. Our communications center has a minimum of two (2) clerk dispatchers on duty at all times and three clerk/dispatchers during peak hours.  There are four work stations within the center and all four stations may be used during emergency situations.  A computer software program (CPLIMS) is used to track and record all police, fire, and rescue personnel.  The computer aided dispatching software provides the clerk/dispatcher with the ability to locate and dispatch emergency personnel to meet your needs in the least amount of time.  The CPLIMS program provides addressing, and can be used to flag special information such as hazards, previous calls where officer may need to use caution, individuals needing special care, and monitors length of time emergency personnel are out at a particular location.

Emergency Medical Dispatching

All clerk/dispatchers assigned to the 911 center are certified emergency medical dispatching technicians.  During an emergency, clerk/dispatchers will keep you on the phone and provide critical information and guidance in providing emergency care for the injured while emergency personnel are on their way.  Stay calm and follow their directions.

National Weather Alert System

North Platte Police 9-1-1 provides and maintains national and statewide links to the National Weather Service.  Immediate notification of severe weather conditions is broadcast to the public in several different ways.  Strategically located throughout the city of North Platte are sirens that are activated in an emergencies such as tornados.  The 911 center also has the ability to notify residents utilizing the Community Emergency Notification System.  (See below)

Addressing Your Home or Business

Emergency personnel cannot locate your home and business if they are not clearly marked.  Make sure your address is clearly visible from the street and that you are using the address issued by the city or county.  When you dial 9-1-1, your address appears on a computer screen.  If that address differs from what is posted on your house or business it may cause a delay locating the emergency. 

This Community Emergency Notification System  will notify you by calls to your home and/or cell phones of all weather warnings and other emergencies such as missing children, escapees, evacuations, missing Alzheimer patients etc. All Businesses are also encouraged to register at this site under the business tab.  

Please register by double clicking on the CodeRED logo above, which will take you to the Community Enrollment Site.  Once you’re at the Community Enrollment Site provide the information requested.  You can only register one person at a time and two phone numbers at a time.  You can enter as many phone numbers as needed per household or business, when an emergency call is made there will only be one call per phone number.

Example:  I register myself at my home address and put my home number and cell number.  In order to include my spouse’s or any of my children’s cell numbers I will have to enter my information, agree to the terms and then click on the button marked “Enter More Contact Information”,  this will take me back to the enrollment page.

It is very important you include your address as in the instance there is an evacuation, only those affected by the evacuation will be notified.

You may also add your email address.  Within a year or less they will have the capability to send you warnings via email or text message.

Notes:  When entering your cell number you will be asked for your provider, which will be needed when texting becomes available. If your provider is not listed please leave the default as your provider.  This only means you will not receive text messages, but you will still receive calls to your cell.  

All weather warnings are generic.  Specific warnings such as missing children etc. will be more detailed.

Gothenburg Fire Department - Web Site

Chief Mark Ballmer

The Volunteer Fire Department has a 44-person squad of all-volunteer firemen. Both the Police and Fire are dispatched by the North Platte Police Department.  The average time lapse from the moment a fire/emergency call is paged to when the first unit is en route is 2.3 minutes.  Volunteers are required to qualify as Emergency Medical Technicians within three years of joining.  The department also provides protection to areas outside the community within the Rural Fire District; and also responds to mutual aid calls. The fire insurance classification inside the corporate limits is 6; outside it is A-10.