Latest news with #Bivins
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New Dixon police chief sworn in Monday
Jun. 3—DIXON — Dixon's City Council chambers were filled to capacity Monday evening to applaud the swearing in of the city's new police chief, Ryan Bivins. "What an incredible night as we honor Ryan Bivins as he begins to lead our Dixon Police Department into this next chapter," Dixon City Manager Danny Langloss said. ExpandAutoplay Image 1 of 5 Dixon Mayor Glen Hughes (right) administers the oath of office for Dixon's new chief of police Ryan Bivins (left) at the Dixon City Council meeting Monday, June 2, 2025. (Payton Felix) Bivins' appointment as chief comes after former Chief Steve Howell's retirement May 9. Bivins was one of two candidates that went through the interview process conducted by a committee of 10 people and led by Jon Mandrell, vice president of academics and student services at Sauk Valley Community College and a former police officer. "It is with great pride and confidence that our committee recommends the appointment of Sgt. Ryan Bivins as the next chief of police for integrity, professionalism and dedication to community engagement make him exceptionally well suited to lead the department into the future," Mandrell wrote in a statement that Langloss read at the meeting. [ Dixon's new police chief plans to prioritize community policing, youth engagement ] Bivins joined the Dixon Police Department in 2009. He's served in many roles, including detective, street crimes sergeant, and hostage negotiator, among others. He also leads the department's Crisis Prevention Team and was instrumental in launching the Police Chaplain Program, Peer Support Program and First Responder Resiliency Program, according to a May 27 news release from the city of Dixon.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Dixon's new police chief plans to prioritize community policing, youth engagement
Jun. 1—DIXON — Under the leadership of Dixon's new chief of police, Ryan Bivins, the department will be enhancing its focus on community policing. "What I love is when officers are out of their squad cars in the neighborhoods," Bivins said. "If they see kids playing basketball, get out, play basketball with them, [or] actually stopping in businesses and getting that face-to-face contact with the business owner so they see us, they know who we are. It's an instant relationship-building connection." ExpandAutoplay Image 1 of 4 Sgt. Ryan Bivins will be sworn in as the newest Dixon Chief of Police on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Alex T. Paschal) Bivins said he will continue all of the community policing initiatives the department does now, such as Shop with a Cop and Clothes for Kids, among others, and will "even expand on some of those outreaches." A major priority is youth engagement. "I believe we can have a huge impact on the next generation, you know, with people seeing us beyond just wearing a badge, and investing into the community," Bivins said. When applying for the position of chief, final candidates spent about a month preparing a 10- to 15-page management action plan that details their vision for the department. For Bivins, the title of his plan was "Serving Beyond the Badge," he said. "It's just going beyond a normal thing that we're supposed to do as police officers," Bivins said. [ Bivins chosen as Dixon's newest police chief ] Bivins will officially assume his new role during his swearing-in ceremony Monday, June 2. Bivins' selection was announced Tuesday after the retirement of former Chief Steve Howell on May 9. Bivins' career in law enforcement began in 2008 with the Lee County Sheriff's Office as a corrections officer. After that, he joined the Dixon Police Department in 2009 and has served in many different roles, including patrol officer, detective, patrol sergeant, street crimes sergeant, detective sergeant and hostage negotiator. He leads the department's crisis prevention team and was instrumental in launching the police chaplain program, peer support program and first responder resiliency program, according to a news release sent Tuesday from the city of Dixon. "The favorite part for me has been the relationships that I've been able to build along the way — not just within the department, but with members of the community. We meet people in their highest and lowest moments, and it's a real opportunity to connect with people," Bivins said. Bivins' decision to work in law enforcement wasn't out of the ordinary because he'd grown up around it. His dad, Tim Bivins, was the Lee County sheriff for 20 years and had previously worked at the Dixon Police Department. Originally, Bivins was looking into becoming a youth pastor, but then "I felt called to go this route," he said. "I'm very thankful for that change, because I still think we have a lot of similarities — you get to help kids and be involved." Still, "my faith is very central to my life and kind of the foundation of who I am," Bivins said, adding that he continues to be very involved in his church by serving as a worship leader. Service has been a major motivator for everything in Bivins' work, marking the biggest reason he wanted to take on the role of police chief. "I don't want it for the title. I'm not a title person. I don't want it for the pay raise. I don't want it for, you know, a lot of reasons that people want a promotion sometimes," Bivins said. "I want to just continue to be able to serve the department. That's always been my goal as a leader is to serve those that I work with. I believe that in this role I can continue to do that, but also provide a vision for the department to keep moving forward." Before the interview process began, Bivins said, it was something that he sat down with his family to talk about "to kind of explain it's going to come with some more responsibility," and "they were all super supportive." "They are my rock," Bivins said. "Their love, encouragement and strength make everything I do possible." Bivins and his wife, Jordan, have been married 20 years and have four children — Carson, Brady, Bailey and Marley.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bivins chosen as Dixon's newest police chief
May 27—DIXON — Ryan Bivins will serve as Dixon's next police chief. Bivins will officially assume his new role during his swearing-in ceremony Monday, June 2, 2025. Bivins' selection was announced Tuesday, May 27, and follows the retirement of former chief Steve Howell on May 9. "It is with great pride and confidence that our committee recommends the appointment of Sgt. Ryan Bivins as the next Chief of Police," said Jon Mandrell, chairman of the selection committee who is vice president of Academics and Student Services at Sauk Valley Community College and a former police officer with a master's degree in law enforcement administration. "His distinguished record of service, integrity, professionalism, and compassion make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the department into the future." Bivins joined the Dixon Police Department in 2009, according to a news release. He has served in numerous roles, including patrol officer, detective, patrol sergeant, street crimes sergeant, detective sergeant, and hostage negotiator. He leads the department's Crisis Prevention Team, and was instrumental in launching the Police Chaplain Program, Peer Support Program, and First Responder Resiliency Program. He is a U.S. Army veteran, having served 10 years, including a combat tour in Afghanistan where he was promoted to captain and awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He holds a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. The selection process was comprehensive, transparent, and designed to ensure the best outcome for the department and the community, according to Dixon City Manager Danny Langloss. He said two internal candidates — Bivins, who is a sergeant, and Sgt. Aaron Simonton — participated in the process. Langloss said both men are outstanding leaders and demonstrated that they are fully capable of leading the department. "We must first acknowledge how impressed our committee was with the exceptional talent within the Dixon Police Department," Mandrell said. "The candidates demonstrated remarkable professionalism, leadership, and a clear vision for the department. It was truly inspiring and empowering to witness their deep love and pride for the City of Dixon." Each candidate spent a month preparing a detailed management action plan, which included a full staffing and departmental structure analysis aligned with their vision. Day 1 of the in-process included formal presentations of these plans followed by a question-and-answer session. Day 2 involved extensive leadership interviews that evaluated philosophy, decision-making, competencies, and scenario-based responses. Alongside Mandrell and Langloss, the committee also included: * Dixon Public Schools Superintendent Margo Empen * Dixon Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Executive Director Amanda Wike * Chief People Officer for the City of Dixon Dennell Pluymert * Sauk Valley Police Academy Director Jason LaMendola * Dixon City Council Members Mike Venier and Mary Oros * Interim Police Chief Doug Lehman * Dixon Police Sgt. Chris Scott "We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Jon Mandrell for his time, vision, and outstanding leadership throughout this process," Langloss said. "He brought deep expertise, a calm and thoughtful presence, and a genuine passion for serving our community. This was an extremely difficult decision, and Dr. Mandrell's leadership ensured that the process was thorough, fair, and mission-focused." Chief Bivins wishes to recognize his wife, Jordan Bivins, and their four children — Carson, Brady, Bailey, and Marley — for being his unwavering support system. "They are my rock," Bivins said. "Their love, encouragement, and strength make everything I do possible." Bivins is a mission-driven servant leader whose philosophy, "Serving Beyond the Badge," is reflected in both his leadership and deep community relationships, Langloss said. Bivins' vision for the future of the department includes: * Expanded youth engagement and outreach * Community policing and trust-building * Root-cause crime strategies that promote rehabilitation and safety * Comprehensive addiction and mental health support * Nation-leading officer wellness and resiliency programs * Transparency and shared purpose with the community
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mississippi orders deletion of race and gender databases in state libraries
The Mississippi library commission, which offers services such as specialized research assistance to libraries in the state, has ordered the deletion of two research collections: the race relations database and the gender studies database. The collections were stored in what's called the Magnolia database, which is used by publicly funded schools, libraries, universities and state agencies in Mississippi. The commission's executive director, Hulen Bivins, confirmed the deletion to the Guardian, and said: 'We may lose a lot of materials.' 'All of the states, we are in dire shape,' he said. 'We have had a reconsideration of everything with regard to what Doge [is doing].' The so-called 'department of government efficiency' (Doge), which has sent shockwaves through federal agencies and departments since its creation when the second Trump administration began, all but axed the Institute of Library and Museum Services (IMLS) in March by putting nearly all of its employees on administrative leave. The independent federal agency provides resources and support to libraries, archives and museums in all 50 states and territories. Earlier that month, Trump signed an executive order that called for the IMLS to be 'eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law' within seven days. The fallout from losing the IMLS is not restricted to Mississippi, Bivins said, but is something of concern for every state. Washington, which is one of 21 states suing the Trump administration over the dismantling of the IMLS and other agencies, was notified last Wednesday that it will not receive a $3.9m grant from the IMLS's 'grants to states program'. California and Connecticut, both of which are also suing the Trump administration, have been notified that they will not receive a $15.7m grant and the $1.2m remainder of a $2.2m grant, respectively. 'The rest of the states, us included, await our fate. In essence, we're waiting to find out: do we get any more money between now and June 30?' Bivins said, referencing the end of Mississippi's fiscal year. 'Or are we going to get the allotment that was scheduled to be given to us? We can't know at this point because IMLS has been totally closed, just like many other entities under the Doge. And with regard to libraries, we don't know who to contact, who to call, anything.' With federal funding uncertain, state library agencies must look to their respective states for funding. In the 16 states where anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) bills are law, that means complying with whatever that state's legislature deems necessary. 'It's going to affect every state because every state is going to have to make their own decisions,' Bivins said. 'But what will happen is we're not going to have the resources to help the people that are in the educational process or people's business needs. If the library doesn't have support, the library will have to close … If you don't have libraries, if we defund across the board, we're going to have a situation where who knows what's going to happen.' Related: Being a librarian was already hard. Then came the Trump administration Last week, the Mississippi state legislature ended the regular legislative session without passing a state budget. But it passed several bills aimed at aligning the state with Trump and national Republicans' anti-DEI agenda, including one that bans DEI policies and teachings at Mississippi schools and universities. According to a 31 March internal memo obtained by Mississippi Today, the Mississippi library commission's deletions came about to ensure that the Magnolia database complied with state laws, though it did not specify which laws. 'In this challenging time with many different viewpoints concerning library materials and material content your willingness to work with these issues is appreciated,' Bivins wrote, according to Mississippi Today. 'The deletion of these two databases shall be permanent until such time as when the Legislature changes their position regarding the content of materials made available in Mississippi libraries.' Bivins said that the database deletion is likely just the beginning of cuts that are to come if libraries are not fully funded. 'We're in danger of losing basic things, like interlibrary loan. We've had to stop our statewide e-book network because we don't have enough money to pay for the e-books between now and the 30th of June,' he said. 'Everybody is doing cuts and re-evaluations and looking at everything. It's a tragic story.'
The Guardian
11-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Mississippi orders deletion of race and gender databases in state libraries
The Mississippi library commission, which offers services such as specialized research assistance to libraries in the state, has ordered the deletion of two research collections: the race relations database and the gender studies database. The collections were stored in what's called the Magnolia database, which is used by publicly funded schools, libraries, universities and state agencies in Mississippi. The commission's executive director, Hulen Bivins, confirmed the deletion to the Guardian, and said: 'We may lose a lot of materials.' 'All of the states, we are in dire shape,' he said. 'We have had a reconsideration of everything with regard to what Doge [is doing].' The so-called 'department of government efficiency' (Doge), which has sent shockwaves through federal agencies and departments since its creation when the second Trump administration began, all but axed the Institute of Library and Museum Services (IMLS) in March by putting nearly all of its employees on administrative leave. The independent federal agency provides resources and support to libraries, archives and museums in all 50 states and territories. Earlier that month, Trump signed an executive order that called for the IMLS to be 'eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law' within seven days. The fallout from losing the IMLS is not restricted to Mississippi, Bivins said, but is something of concern for every state. Washington, which is one of 21 states suing the Trump administration over the dismantling of the IMLS and other agencies, was notified last Wednesday that it will not receive a $3.9m grant from the IMLS's 'grants to states program'. California and Connecticut, both of which are also suing the Trump administration, have been notified that they will not receive a $15.7m grant and the $1.2m remainder of a $2.2m grant, respectively. 'The rest of the states, us included, await our fate. In essence, we're waiting to find out: do we get any more money between now and June 30?' Bivins said, referencing the end of Mississippi's fiscal year. 'Or are we going to get the allotment that was scheduled to be given to us? We can't know at this point because IMLS has been totally closed, just like many other entities under the Doge. And with regard to libraries, we don't know who to contact, who to call, anything.' With federal funding uncertain, state library agencies must look to their respective states for funding. In the 16 states where anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) bills are law, that means complying with whatever that state's legislature deems necessary. 'It's going to affect every state because every state is going to have to make their own decisions,' Bivins said. 'But what will happen is we're not going to have the resources to help the people that are in the educational process or people's business needs. If the library doesn't have support, the library will have to close … If you don't have libraries, if we defund across the board, we're going to have a situation where who knows what's going to happen.' Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion Last week, the Mississippi state legislature ended the regular legislative session without passing a state budget. But it passed several bills aimed at aligning the state with Trump and national Republicans' anti-DEI agenda, including one that bans DEI policies and teachings at Mississippi schools and universities. According to a 31 March internal memo obtained by Mississippi Today, the Mississippi library commission's deletions came about to ensure that the Magnolia database complied with state laws, though it did not specify which laws. 'In this challenging time with many different viewpoints concerning library materials and material content your willingness to work with these issues is appreciated,' Bivins wrote, according to Mississippi Today. 'The deletion of these two databases shall be permanent until such time as when the Legislature changes their position regarding the content of materials made available in Mississippi libraries.' Bivins said that the database deletion is likely just the beginning of cuts that are to come if libraries are not fully funded. 'We're in danger of losing basic things, like interlibrary loan. We've had to stop our statewide e-book network because we don't have enough money to pay for the e-books between now and the 30th of June,' he said. 'Everybody is doing cuts and re-evaluations and looking at everything. It's a tragic story.'
