Those Who Serve
Short profiles of the Jefferson County neighbors who answer the call in public safety, social work, and community care.
Those Who Serve: Officers Nathaniel Brandt and Sean Kennedy Help Arnold Businesses Prevent Crime
Arnold’s Business Resource Officers build relationships with owners and employees, encourage early reporting, and serve as a direct connection to the police department.
By The Jefferson Review Staff
Photo courtesy of the Arnold Police Department.
ARNOLD — For Officers Nathaniel Brandt and Sean Kennedy, protecting Arnold’s business community begins long before a call for service.
As Business Resource Officers with the Arnold Police Department, Brandt and Kennedy connect law enforcement with the city’s stores, restaurants, and commercial properties. Their work focuses on building relationships, encouraging early reporting, and helping businesses prevent crime rather than only responding after something has happened.
Arnold is one of Jefferson County’s largest retail and commercial destinations, drawing thousands of shoppers and visitors. That activity can also create challenges, including retail theft, vehicle break-ins, fraud, and business burglaries.
The officers said strong communication with owners, managers, and employees can make a significant difference. In one recent case, what began as a routine shoplifting investigation developed into a larger case involving suspects believed to be targeting multiple stores. By working with the retailer and exchanging information, police identified patterns, supported arrests, and helped recover stolen merchandise.
“We definitely couldn’t do it if we didn’t have these relationships that we have with these businesses.”
“We definitely couldn’t do it if we didn’t have these relationships that we have with these businesses,” Kennedy said.
One of the most effective crime-prevention tools available to businesses is early reporting. Suspicious behavior may seem minor, the officers explained, but it can be the first sign of a larger problem. Business owners and employees are encouraged to trust their instincts and contact police when something does not feel right.
“We want the businesses to feel safe. We want them to be successful,” Brandt said.
Sometimes a business may simply want an officer nearby or inside the store for a visible presence. Other times, managers may need advice about what they are seeing or how to report an incident. Brandt and Kennedy said their goal is to listen and determine how officers can best assist.
Their work also extends beyond individual calls. The officers regularly visit businesses, get to know managers and employees, and pass information to other patrol shifts when an area may need additional attention after hours.
Kennedy described the unit as a partnership and a bridge between businesses and the police department. Building genuine friendships, he said, helps employees feel comfortable sharing concerns and information.
“We’re there to not just solve crime, but create a better working environment and a better community,” Kennedy said.
Through presence, communication, and trust, Brandt and Kennedy are helping Arnold businesses know they have someone to call before a concern becomes a crisis.
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