After the department was founded in 1973, Public Safety Director Jack Hacking, along with one of his officers, visited every neighborhood in Eden Prairie. They held 35 meetings with residents in their homes in addition to meeting with the Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Jaycees, the American Legion and the Eden Prairie Athletic Association.
At these meetings Chief Hacking asked the participants what type of department they wanted including what level of police and fire service they expected. The residents’ main priority was that their children to be able to trust and respect the officers. In addition they wanted the police officers and firefighters to be well trained, particularly in the area of medical response.
