HISTORY OF PCAN
The concept of a state police chiefs association was a vision of Jim Ruberson, a former Police Chief from Hastings. PCAN was established in 1987 under the leadership of Jim Ruberson. It was through Jim’s initiative and persistence that the Police Chiefs Association of Nebraska, PCAN, was established. Jim traveled the State visiting with the many Police Chiefs promoting the need for an organization that would represent them.
The Association experienced the typical growing pains of any new organization. Issues such as what to name the organization, whether to be a separate organization or a division of the Police Officers Association of Nebraska, and the drafting of bylaws were just to name a few.
An early initiative of PCAN was to establish a State accreditation process that would give departments which could not afford national accreditation the opportunity to acquire recognition for adhering to professional standards. The concept of agency accreditation lost momentum over the years and eventually the State accreditation program was ended. Several police departments received state accreditation through PCAN while the program existed.
PCAN continues to work in maintaining the momentum it has achieved over the past several years. The opinion of PCAN, as well as its support, is now sought on a regular basis. Members now routinely testify during committee hearings on select bills. PCAN is stepping up its effort to represent all police chiefs and law enforcement in the State by ensuring that a strong message is delivered to lawmakers, government officials and policy makers unaware of the already burdensome role of policing in these budget strapped times.
Recently, PCAN joined with the Police Officers Association of Nebraska, POAN, and the Nebraska Sheriffs Association, NSA, in obtaining the lobbying services of Nowka & Edwards to advocate law enforcement interests and positions before the Nebraska Legislature and other policy-making bodies.
President
Chief Bryan Waugh, Kearney Police Department
BACKGROUND
- Chief of Police, Kearney Police Department
- Commander, Special Operations Division, LaVista Police Department
- Captain, LaVista Police Department
- Sergeant, LaVista Police Department
- Detective, LaVista Police Department
- Police Officer, LaVista Police Department
- Security Police, United States Air Force
- Graduate of the FBI National Academy
- Graduate of the University of Oklahoma – MA, Administrative Leadership
- Graduate of Bellevue University – BA, Management
- Graduate of Metro Community College – AA, Criminal Justice
First Vice President
Chief Kevin Denny, Grand Island Police Department
BACKGROUND
- Chief of Police, Grand Island Police Department
- Chief of Police, Jarrell, TX Police Department
- Chief of Police, Red Oak, TX ISD Police Department
- Sergeant, Irving, TX Police Department
- Criminal Investigator, Irving, TX Police Department
- Police Officer, Irving, TX Police Department
- Graduate of Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas
- Graduate of Tarleton State University – PhD Candidate (ABD), Criminal Justice
- Graduate of Tarleton State University – MA, Criminal Justice and Public Administration
- Graduate of Texas A&M University – BA, Sociology
Second Vice President
Chief Kevin Denney, Grand Island Police Department
BACKGROUND
- Vacant
Past President
Chief Kevin Spencer, Scottsbluff Police Department
BACKGROUND
- Chief of Police, Scottsbluff Police Department
- Captain, Scottsbluff Police Department
- Chief of Police, Morrill Police Department
- Deputy Sheriff, Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office
- Detective, Great Bend Police Department
- Graduate of the FBI National Academy
- Graduate of the American Military University – BA, Criminal Justice
Secretary
Retired Chief Mark Kula, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Police Department
BACKGROUND
- Police Officer – Part Time, Plattsmouth Police Dept.
- Retired National Office Regional Chief of Police, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
- Retired Nebraska/Western Iowa Chief of Police, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
- Deputy Chief, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
- Sergeant, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
- Police Officer, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
- Instructor, Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center
- Senior Special Agent, U.S. Dept. of the Treasury
- Police Officer, Fremont Police Department
- Graduate of Midland University – BA, Business Administration
Treasurer
Chief Richard Hickstein, Chadron Police Department
BACKGROUND
- Chief of Police, Chadron Police Department
- Lieutenant, Chadron Police Department
- WING Task Force Investigator
- Sergeant, Chadron Police Department
- Police Officer, Chadron Police Department
- Graduate of the FBI National Academy
- Graduate of Chadron State College – BS, Criminal Justice
Region 1 Director
Chief Joe Aikens, Sidney Police Department
BACKGROUND
- Chief of Police, Sidney Police Department
- Assistant Chief of Police, Sidney Police Department
- Investigator, Sidney Police Department
- Police Officer, Sidney Police Department
- Communications Officer, Sidney Police Department
- Military Police Officer, United States Army
Region 2 Director
Chief Don Miller, Norfolk Police Department
BACKGROUND
- Chief of Police, Norfolk Police Department
- Captain, Norfolk Police Department
- Sergeant, Norfolk Police Department
- Corporal, Norfolk Police Department
- Detective, Norfolk Police Department
- Police Officer, Norfolk Police Department
- Commander, Tactical Response Team, Norfolk Police Department
- Graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command
- Graduate of Northeast Community College – AA, Criminal Justice
Region 3 Director
Chief Gary Young, Crete Police Department
BACKGROUND
- Chief of Police, Crete Police Department
- Lieutenant, Crete Police Department
- Sergeant, Crete Police Department
- Officer, Crete Police Department
- Graduate of the FBI National Academy
- Graduate of Bellevue University – BA, Management