MPS Spotlight: Karl Olson

Our solutions consultants are the backbone of Mobile Pro Systems service philosophy. They provide exceptional guidance to customers seeking mobile surveillance solutions for a variety of uses. Karl Olson is a solutions consultant with an extensive law enforcement background which helps him serve agencies who serve their communities every day. In this MPS Spotlight, we asked Karl to tell us more about his career in law enforcement and how it has impacted him as he assists agencies with their mobile surveillance requirements.

What first drew you to law enforcement as a career?

I actually decided on criminal justice midway through college after taking an intro to criminal justice class. I did not anticipate going into law enforcement–I saw myself working corporate security or private investigations. But once I joined the Minneapolis Police Department, I knew I had found my calling.

How long did you serve as an officer?

I worked for MPD for 24 years. After training, I started in the Fifth Precinct and worked a variety of units, from 911 response, the Safe unit where I worked with neighborhood groups and dealt with problem properties, to the Community Response Team (CRT) where I was able to do a little bit of everything, from bicycle patrol to undercover assignments. I was promoted to Sergeant and transferred Downtown to the First Precinct and worked as a patrol sergeant and was in charge of the CRT team there.

I was awarded the Department Medal of Honor for my actions during the 35W Bridge Collapse. I transferred to the Third Precinct in 2009 and remained there until the end of my career as a patrol supervisor. Highlights there were being the Incident Commander for the Minnehaha Academy explosion, as well as being involved with major events like the RNC (bicycle team leader), the Super Bowl and Final Four as a team leader for the Mobile Field Force.

How does your background in law enforcement help you as a solutions consultant for Mobile Pro Systems?

I believe my experience in law enforcement gives me a unique ability to speak with potential customers in the LE field. I speak their language, so to speak, and am able to let them feel like they are speaking with another officer. Also, having been an officer, you have to be a good communicator in order to gain compliance, command a situation or speak with empathy to a victim or family, thereby giving me an ability to speak to people in any situation. As an officer, you need to gather information in order to make a decision, which is basically what I am doing here. I gather information about what a customer needs, and I help them find the solution. I also have experience using the MPD’s mobile surveillance recordings from their MPS trailers. When we would have major incidents, I would request footage from the cameras be made available for investigators.

Tell us a bit about your family and what you like to do when you’re not helping customers.

I live in Wisconsin and have since 2004. I grew up in Anoka and attended St Cloud State University on a football scholarship. My wife Angie and I have been married for for 20 years and we have 3 boys, Erik (22), Dane (19) and Jace (17).

I love fishing and do a Canadian Fly In trip every year. I love to travel and do adventures. Last year we went to Alaska!

Volunteer work?

We love to volunteer and do so often. One of my favorite projects is Valentines for Veterans. We collect Valentines from all the Hudson schools and my wife’s school in Stillwater, and from anyone else who wants to make some. We then package and ship them to Veterans hospitals and homes throughout the country. Last year, we collected over 1600.

In each MPS Spotlight, we shine a light on a Mobile Pro Systems team member to express our gratitude for their outstanding contributions, and so you can get to know our wonderful employees like we do.