St. Cloud Police Department Community Outreach Officer Ron Caswell was commended May 24 during a council meeting at City Hall.

Caswell has served within the police department as a patrol officer, training officer and community outreach officer and is retiring after 15 years of service to the city.

“Ron has been devoted to the city of St. Cloud throughout his career and it is especially noted in his interactions within the community,” said Police Chief Pete Gauntlett. “We have received immeasurable praise reports from citizens, homeowners’ associations, victims, business owners, and even children when it comes to the professionalism, compassion, and commitment Officer Caswell has provided to these individuals. We wish Ron happiness in retirement and we will always take inspiration from the shining sense of professionalism he displayed within our community throughout his career.”

Caswell successfully coordinated many events during his career in areas that include schools, domestic violence awareness, homeowners’ association meetings, self-defense awareness, Citizens’ Police Academy, victim assistance, Special Olympics, Shop with a Cop and the crime prevention program Lock It Up, which helped reduce the city’s burglary rate by 27 percent in 2011.

Caswell joined the force in May 1997. He is a U.S. Navy veteran and a former captain with the Osceola County Corrections Department.