Community Connection Officer Directory

In 2015, our Department tasked several officers with the extra duty assignment of establishing relationships with those in our community who may feel underrepresented, marginalized or hesitant to initiate contact with their police department. These officers have been asked to develop relationships with individuals in these communities with the purpose of building trust and connection, and improving our collective understanding of the issues these groups face.

It is our goal that this program will reduce and prevent crime, educate our officers on cultural and societal issues and improve the community’s knowledge of our policing services. This effort is called the “Community Connection Officer” program.

Twin Falls Police Department Community Connection Officers:

LGBTQ Community Sergeant Shawn Applewhite, Officer Kyle Skuza

Refugee Center/Refugee Community Lt. Terry Thueson, Captain Matthew Hicks

Homeless Community Lt. Terry Thueson, Administrative Assistant Amanda Bates, 

Local Houses of Worship Sergeant Shawn Applewhite, Officer Matt Rickards

Elderly Community/Adult Protection Issues Administrative Assistant Amanda Bates, Officer Medina Alajbegovic, Officer Salko Lilic,

Hispanic Community-Officer Martin Becerra, ASD Lead Alzbeta Marsh

Special Olympics/People with Intellectual Disabilities Officer Josh Hayes, Sergeant Eric Barzee

Veteran’s Court/Veteran’s Issues Detective Tracy Thompson, Officer Cody Cunningham, Detective Jason Kelly