Editor’s note: The following is the first in a series of columns by Madison Police Department Community Relations Officer Teresa Taylor-Duncan titled “Behind the Badge”.

By Teresa Taylor-Duncan, MPD Community Relations Officer

The Madison Police Department is committed to principals of community policing and improving quality of life for all people. To this end, we employ a cadre of dedicated individuals who provide service behind the badge. While our officers are visible, those employees who keep the everyday business of law enforcement rolling along may not be easily recognized. We want to introduce them to the citizens they serve through a regular “Behind the Badge” column.

Nothing stops a patrol unit like a technology snafu.

Madison Police cruisers are equipped with Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) which provide location, nature of call, and updates from dispatch in addition to allowing officers to access and enter data while remaining in the field. When these systems encounter problems, the “go to” for MPD is Toby Jenkins. Recruits and senior officers alike know that without Toby and his IT skills, we can be dead in the water in no time.
Toby has been a technical coordinator in the IT department of MPD since 2012. He came to us with an Associate’s Degree in Industrial Electronics from Drake State and also spent 13 years with Cinram.

In addition to keeping the MDTs on track, Toby maintains and updates all computer systems in MPD offices, facilitates communications between MPD and the 911 center, monitors and maintains body worn cameras and the systems which support them, and is currently the technical project lead for Madison on the implementation of a new Records Management System (RMS). The RMS will be integrated into systems with the Huntsville Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.
As you enter Toby’s office, you will notice two things; first, it is very dark with multiple glowing computer screens and second, he is an avid collector of Hot Wheels.

What most folks don’t know about Toby is he is also skilled in the area of close up magic such as card tricks and sleight of hand.

Twice a year, Toby, his wife, and daughter attend the Diana Singing where he volunteers his time duplicating and editing videos from the biannual event.

If he’s not doing magic tricks or volunteering, he enjoys woodworking and on any given Saturday, might be found wearing an apron alongside his in-laws who own “The Smokin’ Box” BBQ food truck.

Toby says the most difficult part of his job is creating an atmosphere of communication with the officers he is trying to assist. He finds that most officers just “want it fixed” and Toby strives to work closely with the officers to determine what technical difficulties they are having and how to help them reach a working solution.

While fixing the problems is his forte, Toby says he truly enjoys working alongside the officers and support staff.

As a “man of many talents, but a master of none” Toby Jenkins keeps the officers and support staff of the Madison Police Department connected and moving forward. We thank you for your service to MPD.

Jenkins’ impressive collection of Hot Wheels cars in his office at the Madison Police Department. CONTRIBUTED