Behind The Badge: Jason Dombkowski, A Legacy of Service

January 23, 2025 Behind the Badge, Utility

Our team doesn’t just talk the talk; they’ve walked the walk. The ‘Behind The Badge’ blog series interviews Utility’s team and discusses their experience inPublic Safety. This week, we’ll spotlight Jason Dombkowski’s story.

Jason sat with Utility’s Blog Editors to answer a few questions about his story:

From a Law Enforcement Family

Jason Dombkowski’s story is deeply rooted in law enforcement, making it almost a family tradition. “Police work is sort of the family business, if you will,”Jason says. His father dedicated 20 years to the Michigan City Police Department, and his brother has served over 25 years as a narcotics detective with the Lafayette Police Department.

This legacy continues with Jason, who began his law enforcement career at just 23years old with the City of West Lafayette Police Department, where he served for 25 years. The tradition extends to the next generation, with his youngest son currently a cadet at the Indiana University Police Department, slated to attend the police academy this May.

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Discovering His Calling

For Jason, law enforcement was more than a career; it was a calling. “As a young and energetic police officer, I couldn’t believe I was getting paid to do the job that I loved so much,” he recalls. The excitement of the job, the unpredictability of each call, and the ability to help solve problems gave him a ‘front seat view’ of life.

Even as he climbed the ranks, he looked back fondly on his days as a patrol officer. “The patrol officer’s job was the best one in the world for me,” he says, admitting that if he could do it all over again, he might stay in that role longer to treasure its unique rewards.

Highlights from a Career in Public Safety

Leadership and Lifelong Lessons

During his career, Jason grew both professionally and personally. “The job provided me opportunities to learn from great leaders (and bad ones too) and to form lifelong friendships,” he shares. These relationships and mentors helped shape his path, culminating in his last 11 years of service as Chief of Police for the West Lafayette Police Department.

Leading Through Transparency

As Chief, Jason focused on transparency and accountability, using community policing programs to build trust and effect change. He embraced cutting-edge technology to enhance public safety, including leading his agency to become the first in Indiana to fully deploy body-worn cameras (BWC) in 2010.

Technology’s Role in Public Safety

Jason’s leadership extended beyond his department. As president of the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police, he championed transparency by helping write and pass legislation that standardized the retention, release, and redaction of BWC and in-car video footage. “I encourage command staff at all levels to get involved in their state chiefs and sheriffs associations,” Jason advises. “These groups provide invaluable opportunities for comparison and discussion on best practices and the latest technology to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency.”

Advice for Agencies Considering Body-Worn Cameras

Focus Beyond Technology

As an early adopter of BWC technology and a DOJ Subject Matter Expert, Jason has valuable insights for agencies evaluating BWC systems. His advice? Focus on the vendor’s customer service capabilities and responsiveness as much as the technology itself.

“Ask your colleagues and peers about their customer service experience,” he suggests, “and their partnership with their provider when it counts most—during an officer-involved shooting or other high-profile incidents under public scrutiny.”

When Jason’s department sought a new BWC vendor in 2017, they ultimately chose Utility, Inc. “We researched, tested, validated, and purchased Utility for our officers, and we never looked back,” he recalls. The decision proved pivotal, offering the support and technological excellence needed for their growing transparency and accountability needs.

A Commitment to Transparency and Service

Jason’s career in law enforcement is a testament to the values of transparency, innovation, and service. He remains a resource for public safety leaders navigating technology decisions, emphasizing the importance of partnerships that extend beyond just products.

If you’d like to learn more about Jason’s experiences or the impact of Utility’s solutions, feel free to reach out. Jason’s journey underscores the value of transparency, innovation, and service in public safety.

Jason’s email: jdombkowski@utility.com