Get to know Officer Julia Slade

By Alan Carman
The Imperial Republican
    The following is the first in a series of stories to get the community aware of our Imperial Police Officers. All Officers were asked the same 15 questions.
    What is your name and title: My name is Julia Slade and I am a patrol Officer.
    How long have you been with the Imperial Police Force: I have been with IPD for one year and one month.
    Where are you originally from: Imperial.
    What inspired you to pursue law enforcement: Micah 6:8 has been the foundation of my law enforcement career, which started in 2011 as a dispatcher.
    During that time, I had the opportunity to help the community I worked with in many ways, but I was often left wondering what happened after I hung up with them, when officers, fire fighters and paramedics arrived.
    Becoming an officer was a logical next step for me and I felt really allowed to practice the tenants of Micah 6:8 out loud.
    Can you describe your journey to the IPD: I started my law enforcement career as a dispatcher for a suburb in Denver. Over my 7.5 years as a dispatcher, I worked as lead dispatcher, communications training officer, and as the tactical dispatcher with the SWAT Team.
    During that time, I trained with the SWAT negotiators and assisted in a number of critical incidents.
    I then decided that I wanted to go further in my law enforcement career, so I applied with my department to become a police officer and was accepted.
    After graduating the Academy in 2018 and completing my field training and a year probation, I myself became a field training officer in 2019. In 2020, I completed a competitive process for a detective position with the Crimes Against Persons and was selected, beginning my detective journey in 2021.
    In 2023, a Sergeant position became available and I participated in a very rigorous selection process and was promoted to Sergeant in mid 2023.
    In 2025, life events propelled me to reconsider life in the metropolitan area. I felt a strong desire to move back to Chase County, to be near my loved ones, family and friends. I was unaware that IPD was hiring and had started my search for a new department in McCook. But a well directed word by the McCook Chief led me to the front doors of IPD with resume in hand, where, as luck would have it, Chief Ostmeyer was in that day.
    Six months later, I moved back to Chase County and continued my law enforcement career here.
    What is the most rewarding part of your job thus far: The most rewarding part of my career comes from being able to help victims of crime in their darkest moments. To be able to bring some protection and justice when hope feels lost.
    What has been the most challenging part: The most challenging part is the wanting so much to help but only being able to do so much, whether because of statutory limitations or refusal of a victim to participate in the process.
    What do you enjoy most about working in Imperial: I enjoy this community so much. I feel like I am working with the community, rather than pushing against the flow to have any type of support.
    What do you think people misunderstand most about law enforcement: One of the biggest misconceptions, I feel, is what actually is the local officer’s span of control. Often there is frustration when an offender is released so quickly or charges reduced or dropped and the finger is pointed at the local police or sheriff’s department.
    All of those decisions are beyond the control of those whose faces are seen on a daily basis. The justice system is far more than just the initial responding officer. It’s the attorneys, the judges, the probation/parole officers, the department of corrections, etc. The frustration is real and we feel it too.
    What does a typical day look like for you: A typical workday involves regular patrol through town, responding to calls for service that come into dispatch, completing paperwork on any calls, planning for community events such as National Night Out, completing walk-throughs at the school when in session, and cleaning up after Boots, the resident cat who has declared the PD his domain.
    Are you involved in any community programs: I am a part of Chase County Arts Council.
    What do you look forward to most in your workday: Visiting with community members. There are a number of young people who will stop in and chat with us and it’s fun to engage with them and others who stop by.
    What are your hobbies and interests outside work: Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, art and music.
    What’s something people don’t know about you: I was a missionary and worship leader with Youth With a Mission and Kings Kids for nearly 10 years. I completed a Wilderness First Responder program with them in order to be the field expert during the week-long wilderness leadership training excursions we hosted regularly for youth groups preparing for overseas mission trips. I have yet to visit the continents of Asia, Australia, and Antarctica.
    Do you have a favorite local place (restaraunt, park, hangout): My favorite local place is Jalapeno’s! I love the chips/salsa/queso!